Your guide to HDTV - The television revolution is here
Television has changed
We have seen black & white pictures turn to colour, analogue signals becoming digital and now the ultimate in picture quality in the form of High Definition TV. It brings clarity, colour and definition never seen before on a TV.
Key Benefits of HDTV
- Picture clarity like you've never seen before
- True to life colour and detail that will make you feel like you are there
- Widescreen broadcast for a breathtaking home cinema experience
How does it work?
High Definition technology relies mainly on the number of lines that the TV has to ‘draw’ the picture. When we talk about picture quality we refer to resolution. This is made up of many lines of pixels. The more of these lines of pixels there are on screen the better the resolution and,therefore, the picture quality.
An HD ready TV must have HDMI or DVI connectivity in order to accept a digital signal from the HD receiving equipment, as well as an analogue Component (YpbPr) connection. It must also be able to handle the 720 or 1080 line formats.
In order to enjoy high definition programmes you must have a HD Ready TV. Sky have already started broadcasting in high definition, via their Sky HD service, with lots of great programmes now seen and heard as never before. You can now enjoy a host of your favourite programmes, films, and sporting events in breathtaking quality.
Naturally all HD Ready TVs will also work excellently with standard broadcasts, so don’t be concerned if you haven’t yet invested in a high definition source such as Sky HD. Purchasing an HD Ready TV is a way of ‘future proofing’ yourself.
How do I get high definition programming? In order to enjoy high definition programming you must subscribe to a HD provider such as Sky HD. In addition you will be required to purchase a HD set top box, such as a Sky HD box, and subscriptions to receive the HD channel line-up.
It is important to note that there are two different types of 1080 HD TV – 1080i and 1080p.
- 1080i televisions use an interlaced scanning system meaning each odd line of the picture is displayed, followed by each even line, and the resulting image is not as smooth as a progressive feed.
- 1080p televisions use a progressive scanning system which display each line on the screen simultaneously. As a result the image displayed suffers less apparent flicker than 1080i.
1080p, which is sometimes referred to as ‘Full High Definition”, offers the best picture available however requires a 1080p source such as Blu-ray to achieve this picture. The current highest broadcast standard available is 1080i, and this is set to be the case for the foreseeable future.
Blu-ray is the name of a next-generation optical disc format which enables the playback of 1080p high-definition video. Single layer Blu-ray discs can hold up to 25GB - more than five times the storage capacity of traditional DVDs, with this extra capacity allows for higher picture quality, more special features and the ability to access interactive multi-level menus whilst continuing to watch the main feature. In addition to movies, next generation gaming consoles such as the Sony PlayStation use Blu-ray technology to maximise the gaming experience.
Please note, although a Blu-ray signal can be watched through any TV, you will need a 1080p high definition TV to get the most from your player. See our full range of Blu-ray players
HD DVD, like Blu-Ray, is a high-density optical disc format designed for the storage of high definition video and data. Single layer HD-DVDs can store up to 15GB of data – about three times as much as a standard DVD. Although most HD DVD players playback discs in 1080i screen resolution, newer models are now able to output in 1080p.
Although standard DVDs can be watched on any HDTV, they can’t be watched in high definition without the help of an upscaling DVD player.
Upscaling is the process of converting the output of a standard or non-HD signal (such as standard DVD) so that it can be watched in high definition on an HD Ready TV. Through a set of complicated mathematical algorithms, the upscaling process matches the pixel count of a standard or non-HD source(e.g. standard DVD) to the physical pixel count on an HDTV.
Please note that although upscaling can dramatically improve the standard definition signal, because the signal is being manipulated (i.e. pixels being added in), the images will never be as good as using an HD source such as Blu-ray or HD DVD (find out more below).
You will not be able to watch HD pictures on your old TV unless it is HD ready.
It is worth noting, however, that when analogue signals are switched off, in order to keep watching TV you will need a TV with integrated digital tuner or a digital receiver such as Freeview, cable TV or Sky.
Your VCR/DVD will operate as normal, recording and playing back in standard definition.
Some new technology DVD players use an ‘upscaling’ process, which when displayed on a HD Ready TV, will provide hugely improved picture quality. These DVD players are available now and really come into their own when used with the high resolution of a HD TV.
Sky’s HD Box comes with the same functionality as Sky+, allowing you to record programmes directly to hard drive. If you are a Sky HD customer you can record and playback HD channels in high definition using this technology.
Our range of HD Ready TVs are all of the best quality, packed with features and high specifications.
If you are looking to buy a new TV now future-proof yourself with a HD TV. You will get a superb TV and be ready for the future of TV pictures when HD broadcasts go live in the UK.
Amazing pictures, fantastic sound, stunning technology...Why wait?
Look out for our HD ready TVs. They're all clearly recognisable by the HD logo on the screen or view our full range.
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