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 Conventional
Televisions
the essential facts to help you with your buying
decision
Conventional TVs with cathode ray tubes
(CRT) offer
still excellent performance and proven reliability at low prices. There are
several types of picture tubes, among others flat tubes that give a very
sharp and low flicker picture. Many
high-definition (HD)
models (see below) are now available and offer excellent picture quality.
However, they are bulkier and limited in screen size compared to the more and
more popular
Flat-Panel Televisions.
What is
available
Analog
or digital models
(including HDTV) are available. The familiar analog TVs can only display
standard-definition (SD) signals.
Many digital sets can display HD signals. There are also some
standard-definition (SD) digital models on the market which accept SD and HD
signals but the picture is always displayed in standard definition. Usual
screen sizes reach up to 34'' (for larger screens see
flat-panel TVs).
Screen size
and viewing distance
The
right screen size for you depends on your normal viewing distance (limited
by room
size) and your budget.
The suggested
optimum viewing distance is about:
2.5 to 5
feet
for
20 to 27-inch displays, 6 to 8 feet for 32 to 37-inch TVs.
Thanks
to the superior picture quality of HDTV it is possible to view these from
closer distance without distraction from picture imperfections.
Another
consideration is the aspect ratio (width to height) of the screen. Screens
today come in 4:3 or 16:9 (widescreen).
For watching HD, DVDs or digital you are better with 16:9 as this is the
format of such transmissions und the full picture can be displayed (more and
more transmissions will be in 16:9 in future).
What is HDTV
(high definition television)
HD means
that more picture information is transmitted and displayed on your screen,
providing much more detail and realism for the viewer.
It comes in two main formats: 720p (p for progressive), which displays 1,280
pixels on 720 lines in one go (twice as much detail as "standard
definition"); and 1080i, which displays 1,920 pixels on 1,080 lines
interlaced (half of the picture followed by the other half).
 TVs
that meet the minimum criteria established by the European Information &
Communications Technology Industry Association (EICTA) can display the DH
ready label
In
essence this means: the minimum native resolution of the display is 720
physical lines in wide (16:9) aspect ratio and meet further specifications
regarding HD input. In other words, if you buy a HD-ready TV today you can
be fairly certain it won't become obsolete in the next few years.
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