What is an HD Ready TV?
HDTV stands for High Definition Television. TVs which are HD ready use technology to generate a clearer and sharper picture on your TV set as well as better sound quality. HDTVs have a higher resolution than standard TV sets.
HD Ready TV
There are a number of HD channels available in the UK from the main broadcasters including BBC HD, ITV 1 HD, Channel 4 HD, Sky 1 HD, FX HD, E4 HD, Biography HD, Sky Arts HD, Sky Real Lives, nine Sky HD Movies channels, 4 Sky Sports HD channels, Eurosport HD, Discovery HD, National Geographic, History HD, Crime HD and there are others too.
In order to view HD television you must buy an HD ready TV. You will know whether the TV you want to buy is HD ready because it will say in the product description alternatively look for the HD ready logo.
Not only must you buy an HD TV to watch HD television but you must connect your TV to an HD receiver.
HD TV resolution
The higher resolution experienced with HDTVs is what makes the picture look so good. An HD TV and an HD receiver will display a million or more pixels to create sharp quality images.
When you think of HD TV you may think resolution is the most important factor for a crisp picture however the most important thing is actually contrast ratio, followed by colour saturation and thirdly colour accuracy. Resolution is only the fourth most important factor despite being the most referred to spec of HDTV.
The majority of HDTV you can buy today is a fixed pixel display this means the number of pixels displayed on the screen is fixed. Typically HD TV is 1080p and 720p. What this means is whatever the resolution of your TV this is the maximum level of detail you can see. If the source of your HD TV has more pixels than your TV will only display its maximum resolution.
1080p, 1080i or 720p
The three resolutions of HD TV today are 1080p, 1080i or 720p. The differences between them are 1080i has more lines and pixels than 720p. 720p does however deliver a smoother image due to progressive scan, which means you get a sharper image during motion. 1080p combines the best of both the 1080i and 720p creating a high resolution, progressive-scan TV.
- 1080p resolution in pixels is 1920 x 1080
- 1080i resolution in pixels is 1920 x 1080 (does not have progressive-scan)
- 720p resolution is 1280 x 720
Although the difference in pixels is apparent between the 720 and 1080 models the actual difference in picture quality between the three HD Ready TV resolutions is very difficult to spot.
Which ever HD TV you decide to buy you will experience a better quality picture and sound then your older standard TV.