Transcript Buying an HDTV - SKC Technologies

Television
Technology
By Sean Cullinan
Van Ness North Unit 607
Who is Sean Cullinan?
• BA in Television Production from Salisbury
University
• Newscast Director for WMDT-TV (ABC) in
Salisbury, MD
• Worked with the Associated Press for last
5 years on TV newsroom products
• Resident of Unit 607 since April 2006
• Owned an HDTV for 4 years
Topics We Will Cover
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What happens in February 2009?
Explaining TV Formats
Types of HDTV’s available
Shopping for for an HDTV
I have my HDTV, now what?
Question and Answer Session
Goodbye analog in 2009
• February 2009 FCC mandates that
broadcasters shut down their analog
channels
• The switch will allow the same number of
“channels” but will consume much less
bandwidth.
• Digital Television provides a better picture
and allows for High Definition Images.
Who will be affected?
• Not cable subscribers!
• Not Satellite subscribers!
• Only those who receive television
programming Over the Air (OTA) via the
VNNC Master Antenna or rabbit ears.
What will I do if I use OTA?
• Get a set top Digital TV Converter box
– Government providing a $40 subsidy (up to 2
per household) to convert Digital TV signals
to Analog so that your old TV will work!
• Get Cable Service
• By a new TV with a Digital TV Tuner
– VNNC is looking at upgrading the Master
Antenna to receive and distribute digital
signals. Will work with new TV or converter.
Television
Formats
Traditional TV Format
• TV “Resolution” measured by number of
horizontal scan lines displayed
• A standard definition US TV image
consists of 480 horizontal scan lines
drawn in an alternating fashion known as
“interlacing”
New TV Formats
• “Progressive Scan” draws the entire
image in order instead of interlacing.
• 480P Enhanced Definition TV
• 720P, 1080I and 1080P High Definition TV
What does HDTV Get me?
• More scan lines means a much sharper
picture
• HDTV allows for larger screen sizes…with
more lines there is less “stretching” as the
screen gets larger
• Almost all HDTV’s are now “widescreen”
which gives a more cinematic experience.
HDTV Types
Traditional Picture Tube
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Good picture quality
Size limited to about 40”
“Burn in” not a big problem
Bulky and considered unattractive due to the
depth of the television
– Generally lower cost than other types
– Usually a max resolution of 1080i
– Not energy efficient
Rear Projection Television
– Uses traditional picture tube
– “Projects Image” to achieve
up to 60” of screen size
– Can be prone to “burn in”
– Narrow viewing area, very large footprint
– Can be a good value if you have the space
– Generally a max resolution of 1080i
– Not energy efficient
DLP or “Microdisplays”
– Projection Technology
– Brighter than traditional RPTV
– Smaller footprint but not flat
– Wider viewing angle that RPTV’s
– More expensive than RPTV but cheaper than
“flat panels” at a given size
– Available in 720p or 1080p
LCD Displays
– Can be expensive but are
getting more affordable
– Extremely Bright Picture
– Size limited, generally to 46”
– As thin as 3” and wall mountable
– Not able to reproduce deep blacks
– Maximum resolution of 720P or 1080P
depending on how much you spend
– Most energy efficient
– Check viewing angles..can be limited on some
sets
Plasma Displays
– Allow for very large screen
sizes up to 70” and larger
– Bright Picture
– 4” footprint, wall mountable
– “Burn in” less of an issue
in new models
– Like LCD, not great at displaying “blacks”
– Maximum resolution of 720P or 1080P
depending on how much you spend
Shopping For a
New TV
Shopping for a new TV
– What type of set do you need?
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Screen size
How much space do you have for it?
Do you want to mount it on a wall?
Are you going to use the TV for sound or do you
have a home theater?
• How many peripherals do you plan on hooking up
to it? How do you get your TV signal?
• How “High” of a definition do you need?
Important Features
• Inputs!!
– HDMI provides a digital connection for optimum HD
picture and sound quality. Must support “HDCP” copy
protection!
– “Component” inputs are “analog” but use 3 separate
cables to deliver an HD picture.
– “Composite” and Svideo Inputs are not HD capable
• Tuners
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Will you need a tuner to receive Over the Air TV?
If so make sure you get a digital tuner for 2/2009
Multiple tuners are useful for Picture In Picture
Cablecard remove the requirement to have cablebox
Reading the ad
Reading the ad
Reading the ad
Great Reviews
• In print
– Consumer Reports
– Home theater magazine
• Online
– http://www.lcdtvbuyingguide.com
– http://www.avsforum.com
– http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-7608_7-10161091.html?tag=dir
– Google (http://www.google.com) a set before you buy
it!
Cables…beware!
• Stores make a ton of money selling cables
• HDMI Cables provide a digital connection…digital
means that signal loss is not a huge problem
Post Purchase
Installing Your TV
– Wall mounting an LCD isn’t that hard…
• Kits are available at all retailers
• I mounted mine with 2” screws, washers, nuts
and “winged” drywall anchors to provide back
pressure against the plaster walls.
• More professional installers will run cables inside
walls
Hooking up Equipment
– In order to get Progressive Scan you MUST
use Component or Digital type connectors
Receiving HDTV
– Over The Air via built in digital tuner
• UHF antenna will work, many now marked for
HDTV reception but any UHF antenna can work.
– Comcast
• Offers all local channels plus Discovery, National
Geographic, TNT, Premium Movie channels and
more in HDTV.
• Must have HDTV box which costs extra
– Digital Satellite
– In the future the VNNC Master Antenna
Questions and
Answers
Download this Power Point at
http://www.skctechnologies.com/TVTechnology.pps