Buying an HDTV

HDTV’s come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. Before deciding which one is right for you there are many things you need to consider. Use this with the threads “What is HDTV”, “Original Aspect Ratio-Black Bars and OAR” and “Installing an HDTV Antenna” or you may get lost.


Technical Note

Due to different aspect ratios all HDTV’s come with formatting options to change the way an image is displayed on your screen. When shopping make sure the sales person explains and shows you what this is all about using regular 4:3, or 1.33, content and DVD movie content using 1.85 and 2.35 aspect ratio movies. Seeing it in action will explain so much more than me writing about it.


Integrated HDTV or HDTV Ready

You can buy the HDTV display with the HDTV decoder built in. That means you can watch HDTV right away provided you have a dish or RF antenna. HDTV ready means you will have to purchase another device called the set top box, or STB, to watch HD programming.


No Matter What You Do...

Most of us have heard about home theater. HDTV was specifically designed to reproduce movie theater quality images and sound in your home theater system. Due to this you now have an opportunity to change the way you enjoy video entertainment. For decades we have been watching a TV off in the distance and for very good reason. Our NTSC system was designed for a 19" maximum picture size. If you increase the picture size you will also make the individual elements that make up the picture easier to see unless you move the viewing position further away. This is called the critical viewing distance, or CVD, which means how far away must you be to make the individual elements or picture structure disappear. For our old TV’s this is 7.2 times the picture height. There is one more element called field of view, or FOV, which means how far must your eyes move from the center of the picture to the left and right edges. The most involving experience that reproduces the movie theater experience has been found to be 30 degrees to the left or right from center and is defined as 3.3 times the picture height. With our old system we have a real problem doing home theater because a CVD of 7.2 and a FOV of 3.3 are not even close meaning for FOV we would see gobs of picture structure or for CVD the picture will not be wide enough. The big deal about 16:9 HDTV using a true 1920X1080 resolution is that the CVD is 3.0 and the FOV is 3.3 no matter how big you make the picture! A nearly perfect match! Now you really can reproduce movie theater images in your home! The point here is that the viewing position for most consumers watching TV or HDTV is too far away to involve them in the experience.



Your First Decision

Do you watch TV or are you a videophile. Are you willing to change your room and lifestyle for the ultimate experience, a videophile, or will you just fit this new technology into your current lifestyle watching TV as you always have, a TV watcher. If you are considering becoming a videophile then you must purchase Avia on DVD and educate yourself as to what makes a TV image look good. As a videophile you should also consider having the product ISF calibrated for peak performance and accurate pictures. Expect $200 to $300 for a basic calibration and possibly more depending on your display.


The TV Watcher

If this is you then you can breath easy. In your case it is just a matter of finding which display will fit into your space and lifestyle. The tough part for you will be that HDTV is a different shape than your old TV unless you choose an HDTV that is 4:3. The problem with using a 4:3 display is that only 4:3 content will fill out your screen and 4:3 content will be your largest picture. HDTV and movies will be smaller. If you choose a 16:9 (recommended) than 4:3 is the smallest picture and HDTV and movies will be larger. Which technology you use will not be very important since you will not be setting up your area for the best possible experience. Getting into numbers and specifications is meaningless. Go with what looks best to you and fits your budget and application. An ISF calibration would still be beneficial for having the correct colors displayed in the picture.


Videophile - as of September 2002

If this is you then you have a lot of decisions to make. The main groups of product are front projection, rear projection and direct view. The two technologies will be either analog CRT or fixed pixel. Resolution and size will probably be number one on your list. Most of the HDTV products currently available do not meet 1920X1080. Some do meet 1280X720. If you want 1920X1080 your only choice is a 9" CRT front projector on a maximum picture size of 85" 16:9 in a darkened room designed and decorated to proper specification. These displays start at $15k to $20k and can go much higher. With that reality check for most of us lets move on to the affordable stuff.

If big is what you want then you will have to sacrifice resolution at this time and use DLP, LCD or LcoS fixed pixel technology with GLV on the horizon. These products can go up to 120" 16:9. Pricing is $10k to $15k for the better looking products. While having plenty of WOW to offer they are limited at this moment due to pixel count and that includes rear projection, or RPTV. Expect true 1920X1080 products within the next year. Toshiba will be introducing a 57" 3 chip LcoS based RPTV during the 4th quarter of 2002 for $10K providing full 1920 by 1080 resolution.

While you could install a front projector yourself it is highly recommended you contract an ISF calibrator/installer for this to achieve maximum performance form the product.

Plasma is not cost effective and suffers from the same pixel count limitations plus some additional artifacts keeping them from attaining true videophile status. That said they are selling well because they take up so little space, can be mounted on a wall and garner “gee whiz” comments from nearly everybody who sees them. Expect videophile performance from these products in the future. The largest size available is 60". Expect to pay $5k to $20K depending on size and brand.

Most videophiles are buying CRT based rear projection HDTV’s. These are currently limited to about 1200 lines and offer the most quality picture and size for the money. These come in 40-73" 16:9. Pricing is $2k to $8k depending on size and brand.

Large direct view displays, or LDV, suffer from lack of pixel count and other issues. Most consumer LDV products are not considered videophile quality. While they can be of videophile quality when designed properly consider that the Sony 38" 16:9 broadcast monitor is $30K and requires controlled lighting - not cost effective at all.


Wrap Up

Whether you are a TV watcher or videophile there is an HDTV out there for you. If you are a videophile than I recommend you contract an ISF calibrator for product selection service. They can tell you what the display will or will not do, save you lots of research time and help you find the best picture for the least amount of money.

ISF Link
www.imagingscience.com

Richard F. Fisher
Mastertech Repair Corporation, Lawrenceville, GA
770-513-3987 E-Mail - help@mastertechtv.com
Have you been calibrated? ISF and HAA Certified
Factory Authorized
Mitsubishi, Hitachi, Toshiba, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, NAD

Richard,
What is the true resolution of a rear projection tv? I have a Mits, and the manual states 1200 lines of horizontal resolution. Does this mean my display's resolution is 1200X1080? Or is it not even 1080? Thanks in advance.

Some have reported comparing an expensive 9" CRT RPTV vs a 50" Fujitsu or Panasonic plasma display. The Plasma display was better and appeared higher resolution. 7" CRT RPTVs (the most common) are lower resolution than 9" CRT RPTVs, so the claims the manufactures are making like 1200 lines are probably bogus - this is may be the resolution of the small CRT itself and a lot is lost thru the optics and screen. The 50" plasmas have a known fixed resolution of 1366x768 for comparison. There has been a big drop in plasma prices during the last month.

MICHEAL:
>>Does this mean my display's resolution is 1200X1080? Or is it not even 1080? Thanks in advance.

It is doing 1200X1080 only if calibrated properly. If you do not have Avia then get it.


THUMPER:
>>Some have reported comparing an expensive 9" CRT RPTV vs a 50" Fujitsu or Panasonic plasma display. The Plasma display was better and appeared higher resolution.


Not at the critical viewing distance for 1080. Appeared higher res due to the false edges created by being a fixed pixel device. One big advantage for the plasma would also be brightness.


>> 7" CRT RPTVs (the most common) are lower resolution than 9" CRT RPTVs,


While commonly stated that way it is technically not true. Less brightness and therefore unuseable is the truth. For resolution and brightness 9" is required. Also if the screen is larger than 65" you want 9" CRT's for the brightness not the res on an RPTV.


>> so the claims the manufactures are making like 1200 lines are probably bogus - this is may be the resolution of the small CRT itself and a lot is lost thru the optics and screen.


Many will do 1200 when properly calibrated. Not every single RPTV can do it. The greatest limitation is the lenticular screen even if you have 9" CRT's. See the thread "screen pitch" for more info. Get with an ISF calibrator for product selection if this is important to you.


>> The 50" plasmas have a known fixed resolution of 1366x768 for comparison. There has been a big drop in plasma prices during the last month.


Plenty of pixels for 1280X720P but unfortunately still not enough for 1920X1080I. Real close though and the other videophile issues should be resolved within the next year or two. As for price they will be high on the reference quality versions to come. The price is going down only on the current quality of plasma technology.


Richard F. Fisher
Mastertech Repair Corporation, Lawrenceville, GA
770-513-3987 E-Mail - help@mastertechtv.com
Have you been calibrated? ISF and HAA Certified
Factory Authorized
Mitsubishi, Hitachi, Toshiba, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, NAD

The most informational and infomative email i've read in a long while

thanks

Richard,
Above you stated:
>> Many will do 1200 when properly calibrated. Not every single RPTV can do it. The greatest limitation is the lenticular screen even if you have 9" CRT's. See the thread "screen pitch" for more info.

In that thread you stated:
>> The .52 is a littel higher but irrelevant. If you displayed 1920 on such a screen you would get artifacts because the two frequencies would optically beat against each other causing moire.

And:
>> The .52 is a little higher but irrelevant.

And:
>> You will not see a difference from any distance - it is irrelevant.

Please clarify your position. Do specific screen pitches and signals cause moire? If the greatest limitation on RPTV's is screen pitch, why is it irrelevant? Point of diminishing returns, perhaps?

ToddK

If the display is limited to 1200 lines than comparing screen pitch of .52 and .72 doesn't mean anything because the resolution isn't any higher. The new Toshiba that is 1920X1080 native has a screen pitch of .1. Why? If it didn't then it would not display 1920X1080 correctly.

Richard

>> If the display is limited to 1200 lines than comparing screen pitch of .52 and .72 doesn't mean anything because the resolution isn't any higher.

OK for a 65" Mits (which was the original issue). But other (smaller) screen sizes would require a different (lower)lenticular pitch to achieve that same 1200 line resolution. Right?

ToddK

Good point. Being an A/V reproduction engineer I have always recommended 55" or larger for a number of reasons and that would be yet another reason to add to the list.

Thanks,

Richard F. Fisher
Mastertech Repair Corporation, Lawrenceville, GA
770-513-3987 E-Mail - help@mastertechtv.com
Have you been calibrated? ISF and HAA Certified
Factory Authorized
Mitsubishi, Hitachi, Toshiba, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, NAD

16:9 displays viewing 1920X1080 for a CVD of 3.2. Add roughly one foot on smaller sizes or two feet on larger sizes for a CVD of 4.0. (CVD = critical viewing distance)

70" = 110"
65" = 102"
60" = 94"
55" = 86"
50" = 78"
40" = 63"
34" = 53"



Richard


Richard F. Fisher
Mastertech Repair Corporation, Lawrenceville, GA
770-513-3987 E-Mail - help@mastertechtv.com
Have you been calibrated? ISF and HAA Certified
Factory Authorized
Mitsubishi, Hitachi, Toshiba, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, NAD

If you will go to the following web site and go to the box in the bottom right corner titled HDTV Antennas and Reception you will find a great FAQ on HDTV. To my knowledge it is the best info available for anyone interested in HDTV, newbie or pro.

www.projectorexpert.com

This site is owned by Peter H. Putman, one of the really sharp guys around. He subscribes to HDTV Magazine and contributes to the Tips list which is an email format discussion group free to anyone subscribing to HDTV Magazine.

Hugh

In the post above you refer to LcoS and GLV Television technology. Out of curousity, can you explain what this is and when it will possibly be available for the mainstream buyer.

LCoS is old now. JVC calls it Dhila or something like that and I talked about the Toshiba in the post. GLV is too new - another 2 years until you can see one.

As for how they work there is a post in the forum with a link that explains the different display technologies. Start on the last page and work your way toward the front to find it the fastest.

Richard F. Fisher
Mastertech Repair Corporation, Lawrenceville, GA
770-513-3987 E-Mail - help@mastertechtv.com
Have you been calibrated? ISF and HAA Certified
Factory Authorized
Mitsubishi, Hitachi, Toshiba, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, NAD

the most important thing to remember when buying a tv or stereo eqipment is how does it look and sound to YOU!!..it does not matter what a salesman or a friend, for that matter,says...if you don't like it don't buy it....if something really appeals to you, that is the one to get...everyone sees and hears things differently....you will only regret it and not be happy if buy on others opinions and not your own senses....another thing to remember is to bring along your own dvds and vhs tapes....it has always been a rule of thumb to bring along your favorite cds when buying stereo equipment,so now I have bringing along my favorite dvds to watch......it is also important to learn to tinker with tv settings...most stores just turn their sets on....so adjust the picture yourself to your own taste, and then pop in your favorite movie..if you don't like the way it looks move on to another set...and don't be afraid to go into a high end store.....they usually have their sets and sound systems perfectly set up and they want you to bring in your own movies and music....sure their prices a very high, but you don't have to buy from them,but at least you may get to see how a certain set performs in a more homelike envirement instead of a bright display floor.....just remember , when all is said and done if you really like a certain tv and keep going back to check that one out, then that is the one to get

> The problem with using a 4:3 display is that only 4:3 content will fill out your screen and 4:3 content will be your largest picture. HDTV and movies will be smaller.

Not for the same size (width) TV

> If you choose a 16:9 (recommended) than 4:3 is the smallest picture and HDTV and movies will be larger.

Not for the same size (width) TV

Given similar cabinet widths to fit in any given location in a particular room, compare a 55" 16:9 TV to a 60" 4:3 TV. Both have the same 48" screen width but the 4:3 doesn't lose 1/4 of the height (and the 4:3 is also usually lower priced).

The 60" 4:3 has a 48" X 36" 4:3 image while the 55" 16:9 TV has a MUCH smaller 36" X 27" 4:3 image like having a MUCH smaller 45" 4:3 TV

The 55" 16:9 TV has a 48" X 27" 16:9 image while the 60" 4:3 TV ALSO has a 48" X 27" 16:9 image just with black bars top and bottom. SAME SIZE 16:9 IMAGE

Widescreen owners have no choice but to distort 4:3 material by zooming and cropping or stretching or "burn in" may degrade viewing of future 16:9 material.

4:3 owners don't have to worry about 4:3 material impacting the quality of future 16:9 material. Any burn in from viewing 16:9 material will only affect viewing of the supposedly dying 4:3 format.

A widescreen TV may be "neat" for a geek, but a 4:3 TV is a much better choice for the next many years.

Interesting point but...

on a 4:3 a 2.35 movie is a racing stripe. 2.35 movies can cause burn-in of the 1.78 HDTV aspect you mentioned. You could feasibly end up with 2 burn-ins - 1.78 and 2.35. Another issue is that 1080 4:3 SD will leave you with black bars on all sides of the picture.

For video reproduction it is not the width as much as the height. People are more disturbed by the picture shrinking vertically than horizontally. The best display would be 2.35 native and then it would be quite rare to ever have bars on the top and bottom. In this case 4:3 would have huge bars on the left and right. Go to 1.78 HDTV and you would have bars similar to SD on a 1080 broadcast. 2.35 would fill out the screen.

Another issue you glossed over was the critical viewing distance which would be the same only for HDTV material. With a 16:9 TV it is easier to remain at the same viewing distance. With a 4:3 you would need to change your seat based on the vertical size of what you are viewing.

As a videophile this discussion is moot. For general use, which seems to be the basis of this discussion, one could go with DLP - no burn-in - and still have a 16:9 native screen not to mention the additional brightness needed for most living rooms during the daytime.

16:9 is not for geeks - it is the future of television!

Richard Fisher

This is an excellent education in aspect ratios. Enjoy.

Thanks to Bobby C, one of our posters here at the Forum and the TIPS List.

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articles/anamorphic/aspectratios/widescreenorama.html

And some more from a TIPS List poster

http://www.jeremymoore.com/AdobePremiere/PAR_Displays/

Thank you for all the info on the HDTV. It really was a help to me last week when I finally bought a Sony system. After reading the letter from the "host" I guess I spent too much time shopping and reading and not enough subscribing. This was a new site for me and joined just last week ...I'll try to save up enough to get the magazine soon! Thanks again,Richard! Jeannie