1.    It’s all about the digits:  Yes HDTV is digital and digital will be the only standard broadcast starting in February of 2009.  The HDTV broadcast is typically a 1080p signal the you will receive in you home as a compressed 720p signal.

2.    Conjuction Function:  Most current HD display come with built in processors that will up-convert incoming signals to the display’s native resolution.

3.    Decisions – decisions:  Although there are still a handful of direct view (tube) HDTV’s available they are without a doubt on the endangered species list.  Most are going to be in the form of a flat panel (plasma or LCD), rear projection (DLP or LCD) and front projectors.

4.    Getting your HD on:  Just because a TV program says presented in HD doesn’t mean you’re viewing it in high definition.  You still need a HD tuner whether built in or external and a display capable of high definition resolution.

5.    The Sooner you Tuner:  Don’t confuse a HD display for an HDTV.  It must have a built in tuner that’s either ATSC (for digital) or QAM (for basic cable).  NTSC will not longer be of any use to anyone other than the Smithsonian in another six months.

6.    The Natives Were First:  HD sets are defined by the horizontal lines of resolution, which must meet or exceed 720 horizontal lines.  Most commonly seen expressed as 1920 x 1080 or 1280 x 720.  The majority of broadcast HD content will be a compressed 720p version of the original 1080p source.

7.    Let’s find a resolution:  The most prominent resolutions are 720p, 1080i and 1080p; which is considered “full HD”.  I my self was recently educated on when and why it may be more desirable to select a lower resolution to achieve the best possible picture.  This is a widely debated and yet backed upon mounds of factual data.

8.    Wideload:  HDTV’s are “widescreen” or 16:9 format with even wider formats to come.  Unfortunately a lot, and I do mean a lot, of HD program material is still broadcast in 4:3 format (square).  So instead of those with 15 year old tube TVs having bars on top and bottom you are treated to bars on the left and right of your brand new $5000 flat panel!    Come on guys let’s get with the program shall we!

9.    Antennas, boxes and cards oh my:  To receive HD content over the air will require a good ole antenna.  Talk about coming full circle!  Content via satellite as with standard definition still requires the use of an additional box.  Finally with cable your television may have a built in tuner to receive HD content but it typically will not give you access to the additional interactive services such as DVR capabilities and video on demand.

10.      High Dollar Media Interconnect (HDMI):  High-definition multimedia interface carries digital video and audio on one cable.  The advantage to HDMI is it allows viewing of HD content in it’s highest resolution.  The down side is built-in copy protection and absurd cost for the cable. 

Tip of the day:  A $30 HDMI cable in your local big box moving retailer can easily be found online for approximately $10 and a $50 cable retail can be found for about $20.

by Jason Levert