Info on HDTV technologies

[Shadowknight]

I've been considering looking into getting an HDTV, but I don't know WTF DVI, HDMI are, which technology, CRT, DLP, LCD, Plasma give the best picture, 720p, 1080i, 1080p, etc., which company offers the best picture/bang for the buck, whether it's better to get a built-in tuner, or a separate one. I've even seen references to some type of separate cable card. Which tvs have burn-in problems, which don't. How likely the LCD tvs are to have dead pixels, what to look for if I want to use it as a computer monitor as well...

Don't even get me started on my confusion on good DVD players. All I know is that progressive players are good, but that's it.

I've gone to a couple of hometheater forums, and AV forums, but I can't find a newbie FAQ that gives me an idea of what to look for, or any recommended tv sets. Anyone know where I can get a fairly straightforward walk-through of all the stuff to keep in mind, a resource that assumes I know nothing, instead of skimming forums where everyone is rattling off something about digital chips (like on a couple of forums), etc.

 

[Matthias99]

There's some good information out there, but finding it does take some legwork.

Basically, your post says "I don't know anything; tell me everything (but don't make it too complicated)." There's no way to distill ALL of the topics you're touching on (display technologies, tuners, HDTV specs, video connections, DVD players, which TV models are recommended) into something really simple; this stuff is complex.

Here are some links you might try to start with:

link (avsforum HDTV FAQ)
link (another HDTV FAQ)
link (another HDTV FAQ)

These pages have more links to info about display technologies, etc. If you have specific questions, forums are a good resource, but most people (including me ) will not want to spoon-feed you basic information that can be looked up yourself.

 

[Shadowknight]

Hey, I TRIED finding out some newbie info, but I kept finding super super super complicated info that didn't help me understand the basics. Those links you posted helped a lot. I'm going to either stick with my original idea of a CRT (best picture) or a DLP. Either way, I don't want to have to worry about burn in. I just need to go to a couple of forums to ask for recommended brands, and to find out if there are any price-drops coming, or any particuarl good deals currently going on.

Thanks again.

 

[kylebisme]

HDMI is basicly just DVI with built in digital sound and a different shaped plug. Both can support High Definitioin Copy Protection(HTCP) which is needed for upscaling DVD players and upcoming true HD devices. Cable cards are good if you don't want to use a cable box, but be warned that you won't be able to use on demand and might loose guide functioanlity as well. HDTV comes on both 720p and 1080i so having a TV that supports both singals well is handy, and 1080p support is rare but can be a nice option to have as well. Also note that digital displays one native resolution, but as long as the scaler in the display can handle 1080i and 720p signals well you will be fine.

Other than that, just find some showrooms and try and idea of what displays most appeal to your eyes and your wallet, there is no reason to get caught up trying to understand all the specs when what it looks like to you is what counts. After you do narow down your search you might want to look into the particular pluses and minuses of the given display type to help avioding and issue, but I think your best bet at this point is just to shop around a bit to see what suits you.

 

[SonicIce]

I didn't know DVI had HDCP. Whats the big hype about HDMI, then?

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: SonicIce
I didn't know DVI had HDCP.

HDCP is transport-layer encryption, and can be used over any digital connection.

Whats the big hype about HDMI, then?

HDMI is just DVI and multichannel audio in a single cable. It's designed to simplify cabling for HDTV setups (so you can run one cable from your tuner to the TV or receiver).

 

[kylebisme]

DVI can have HTCP but often doesn't, while HDMI almost always does.

 

[imported_ST]

Originally posted by: TheSnowman
DVI can have HTCP but often doesn't, while HDMI almost always does.

just a slight correction, it's HDCP...

a good place to start on understanding TV set technologies is at CNET.COM .

maybe you should tell us what you're trying to do: watch movies? watch OTA HDTV broadcast? play pc games?

 

[kylebisme]

Heh yeah, that was apparently me just jumbling HTPC with HDCP.

 

[Shadowknight]

Originally posted by: ST
maybe you should tell us what you're trying to do: watch movies? watch OTA HDTV broadcast? play pc games?

All of the above. I haven't paid for cable since 1998, so all I use to watch TV is OTA. I spend most of my viewing time watching DVD sets, and would be interested in eventually using it to also use as a computer monitor, or hook up a spare computer and use it as an HTPC.