Digital video recorders/players

Flat panel Television buying guide

the essential facts to help you with your buying decision

Flat-panel displays are easier to watch, are brighter and feature higher contrasts than traditional picture tube TVs. As they don’t flicker, they are also easier on the eyes. The other main advantage is that flat screens can be build in very large sizes and take up much less space than traditional TVs (can be positioned close to the wall). Also the possible viewing angle is larger.
See our favourite flat screen TV selection for top rated flat panel televisions

What flat panel televisions are available

There are two main types: LCD televisions (liquid crystal displays) and Plasma televisions. Any advantages claimed by one over the other are getting smaller thanks to recent improvements to both technologies.

Both can produce excellent picture qualities, however, it is still easier and cheaper to produce larger screen sizes (42’’ and above) with plasma screens - but LCD TVs are catching up.

The recent availability of HD (high definition) technology opens a new dimension on picture quality and viewing experience and should definitely be considered (see more below).

Flat screen size and viewing distance

The right TV 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, 10 to 14 feet for 42 to 46-inch TVs and 12 to 16 feet for 50-inch displays.

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. Flat screen televisions 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 then displayed on the screen and therefore provides much more detail and realism for the viewer. The difference is remarkable.
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 (one half of the picture followed by the other).
The ultimate viewing experience is provided by "full HD" format with 1920 x 1080 resolution, accepting 1080p signals. This is best viewed on extra large screens (50in+). Don't expect broadcasts in this format for a long time, but movies are available on Blu-ray and HD DVD in this format and it should also become available on PlayStation 3 games. More and more manufacturers offer this format such as the new Pioneer PDP-5000EX .

Televisions 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 television display is 720 physical lines in widescreen (16:9) aspect ratio and they meet further specifications regarding HD inputs (HDMI or DVI with HDCP copy protection). In other words, if you buy a HD-ready flat screen television today you can be fairly certain it won't become obsolete in the next few years.

Availability of high definition content

Transmissions are currently available from Sky and Telewest (cable) in the UK. You will need subscription and a Sky HD box (ca. £299) to receive Sky. BBC HD will show limited free-to-air footage through Sky and Telewest platform. Alternatively you can watch HD movies on HD DVD and Blue-ray, available towards the end of the year. If you have a PC input, HD via the Internet is an option.
And don't overlook the new games consoles such as PlayStation 3 (using Blu-ray DVD) that will have HD outputs and future versions of Xbox 360 (HD DVD).

See our favourite flat panel television selection for top rated flat panel televisions

Key terms

Progressive Scan: A television with progressive scanning can generate a picture in a single pass, In contrast to interlaced, which displays the picture in two successive halves (even number lines/odd number lines).

Digital Tuner / Freeview: inbuilt digital tuner (iDTV) for digital TV reception (make sure it can handle Freeview if you don't want an extra box)

HDTV: True high-definition televisions, or HDTVs, can display standard TV, progressive-scan DVD, and HDTV signals. To be considered true High Definition TVs, compatible with Sky's forthcoming High Definition service, they must have an HDCP copy protection compliant digital input, as well as at least 720 lines of physical resolution.

Blu-Ray: Blu-Ray is going head to head with HD DVD. Both are DVD formats with much higher storage capacity than standard DVD (currently up to 30 GB), but are not compatible. They will be used to store HD content and require new types of DVD players. It is not sure yet which format will prevail

Connectivity

HDMI and DVI inputs on many HDTVs provide the highest quality of digital connection from digital devices such as DVD players, digital-cable boxes, game consoles and satellite receivers. DVI inputs carry only video; HDMI inputs carry audio and video on the same cable and are used by Sky HD box.

Component-video inputs split the video signal into three parts: two for colour and one for luminance. This provides slightly better quality than S-video, most evident in colour fidelity

S-video inputs split the video signal into two parts, colour and luminance. This lets you take advantage of the superior picture quality from a satellite system, a DVD player, game consoles, or a digital camcorder.

Composite-video inputs carry only the video signal, providing slightly better picture quality than RF (but other connection types offer better picture quality). These are often used to connect a VCR, cable box, camcorder, or game console.

Scart connections, which are widely available, offer better than S-video quality provided they can handle RGB video.

PC input for displaying PC images on the TV screen. A 15-pin VGA port feeding PC signals to the TV (may also have PC audio minijack input).