Concepts of High Definition Television (HDTV)
October 8, 2008
What is High Definition Television?
A high definition television is a digital television broadcasting system that come with higher resolution compared to the traditional television systems. High Definition Television broadcasts signals digitally, and hence require less bandwidth if the video compression used is sufficient. The term high definition was once used for a series of television systems that were introduced in the year 1930s and 1940s. A HDTV compatible television does not improve the quality of the Standard Definition Television.
LCD TV manufacturers adopt the 16:9 aspect ratio that is compatible for HD Ready 1080p video standard, due to the increasing scale of manufacturing yield and the resolution of the VRAM and VGA that is 768 pixel format. HDTV display images in higher details than the DVD or analog television as it comes with double the linear resolution of SDTV(Standard Definition Television). A high resolution requires higher bandwidth to be transmitted in correct form.
A television or a radio receives signals through various media such as a satellite, cable or air medium and this signal is converted to the form the device is capable of displaying. This is made possible with the digital tuners. A tuner is a device that configures a device, no matter if it is an electronic device, mechanical device or a musical device. Tuners convert low frequency radio frequency signals to a form that is supported by the device. A tuner is also capable of receiving digital broadcasts through the satellite or any other medium and displaying it on the standard definition television or high definition television sets.
Sources of HD Signal Broadcast
HDTV require High Definition signals to display superior quality images. High Definition signals are broadcast by various sources such as:
1.Some internet connections such as Apple TV can broadcast HD signal for video games like Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. Some other services also offer movie trailers, HD movies, clips to download and more.
2.Satellite based TV companies such as Freesat and Sky digital offer HDTV. To receive HD content new satellite dish and New satellite receiver box are required.
3.Blu-ray disc can store up to 10 hours of HD video content based on the encoder settings.
4.HD signals are broadcast over the air and hence can be captured by the antenna. An HD tuner is required to receive this signal. Some HDTV models come with built-in HD tuner and other that do not have this facility would require a HD tuner box, which can be rented from a satellite company or a cable company.
5.Some computer graphics card either have DVI or HDMI interfaces to display images or video to an HDTV.
6.Some DVD-R disc provide 20 to 40 minutes of HD video content.
Parameters of HDTV
Three major parameters of HDTV broadcast systems are Scanning system, Frame rate and Frame size. Scanning system is identified with the letter ‘i’ for interlaced scanning and ‘p’ for progressive scanning. Frame rate is defined as the number of video frames that are produced per second. Frame size is defined as the number of pixels that are formed both horizontally and vertically. For example, 1920 x 1080. Whenever these parameters are used, it may be specified in the form as frame size scanning system frame rate. Frame rate can also specified without a resolution. In the case of a resolution, both the transmitted signal and the native resolution of the TV is considered. HDTV sets upconvert or upscale the transmitted signal to the native format. The video format resolution of high definition display is usually of 720 horizontal lines. The native resolution of HD Ready TV is 1366 x 768 pixels.
Advantages
Images that are formed in HDTV are of better quality as it has more number of lines of resolution. As the gaps between the scan lines are narrower, the images produced are more sharper. Sound track of HDTV video signal is Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound that produces excellent surround sound capability.
Disadvantages
The best quality of HDTV is not achieved as the operators do not follow HDTV specification properly. They use lower resolutions and broadcast more channels with limited bandwidth. This reduces the quality of the video that is broadcast. Inappropriate cabling is also a factor that puts down the quality of the image. HDMI cables are more expensive than the component cables but provide best picture and sound quality. Though HDTV has some disadvantages one must consider its plus points and deal with this concept accordingly.
Pioneer KURO PDP-LX6090 HD Ready Plasma TV with Freeview
October 7, 2008
Pioneer KURO PDP-LX6090 Plasma TV comes with enclosure that looks perfectly black. KURO in Japanese means ‘the perfect black’. This TV comes with built-in digital TV tuner and Freeview technology. With Freeview feature, you can tune in to different freeview channels and radio stations. The screen size of this model is 60 inches. HD Ready is another important feature that is capable of displaying high definition pictures. This is also HDTV compatible meaning that it can receive HD signals and display the same. The resolution of this TV is 1920 x 1080 pixels. Resolution refers to the total number of pixels that are produced in both horizontal and vertical dimensions. The image aspect ratio is 16:9.
Features such as Video noise reduction, JPEG photo playback, on-screen menu, i-CLEAR Drive, room light sensor(RLS), HD Digital Film Direct 24 and Active DRE(Dynamic Range Expander) come with Pioneer KURO PDP-LX6090 Plasma TV. Digital Noise Reduction is another feature where the noise in each image is identified by the system and is eliminated. The frequency of Pioneer KURO PDP-LX6090 HD Ready Plasma TV is 60Hz, which means the picture is updated 60 times to produce sharper image. This model comes with two speakers that has a total output power of 36W. The supported sound formats in this model are SRS WOW HD, SRS Surround and SRS TruBass. It comes with infra red remote control. Power supply is of internal type and it requires a voltage of AC230V and a frequency of 50/60 Hz. Power consumed while in use is 510W and in standby or sleep mode is 0.4W. The dimension of this model plasma TV are 87.6cm (H) x 146.5cm (W) x 9.3cm (D) and weighs 50.8Kg.
Connections in Pioneer PDPLX6090 Full HD Plasma TV are 1 x composite inputs, 3 x HDMI input, 3 x SCART, 1 x USB and 1 x VGA. It comes with sub-woofer terminal too. Other important features of plasma TV are progressive scan, Picture in Picture and Digital Noise Reduction.
NEC 61XR3 Plasma TV
September 27, 2008
NEC 61XR3 Plasma Television features Capsulated Colour Filter (CCF) technology to deliver realistic pictures with vibrant colours and AccuCrimson Filter technology to further increase the effects of the CCF. Clear images are produced with the Mass Area Superior Sampling(MASS) method that totally remove jagged lines. Noise free video is produced with the Digital AccuDevice processing.
Image quality
The pixel resolution of this model plasma TV is 1365×768 pixels. You can enjoy watching movies on the widescreen screen size of 61 inches. It is also possible to watch movies comortably even from an angle of 160 degrees. The aspect ratio of NEC 61XR3 Display Screen is 16:9.
Connectivity
Various inputs that come in this model are component, composite, dual component, VGA, s-video, DVI, analog audio and RGBHV and BNC. Outputs are composite video, BNC, wire speaker terminal.
Operation
It consumes power of 540W while in operation and requires power supply of 120V and a frequency of 50/60Hz.
Dimensions and Weight
NEC 61XR3 Plasma Screen measures 57.9″ x 34.6″ x 4.7″ (W x H x D) and weighs 134.2lbs.
Other features
Video signals of this model plasma TV are PAL, SECAM, 3.58/4.43 NTSC HDTV. It comes with one year warranty. An important feature of this model is that you can use this TV as a PC too. Other features included are Picture-in-Picture. Accessories that are included in NEC 61XR3 Plasma TV are remote control, VGA Cable, Stand.
Loewe Xelos A42 Plasma TV With Freeview
September 25, 2008
Loewe Xelos A42 Plasma TV is a HD Ready TV with Freeview option that can display high definition pictures. HDMI provides high definition playback quality of digital sound and picture signals. With the digital tuner you can watch more than 40 digital Freeview channels. This is HDTV compatible. You can place this TV in different positions such as table top stand, wall bracket or Loewe Xelos rack.
Display capabilities
The resolution of Loewe Xelos A42 HD Ready Plasma TV is 1024 x 1024 pixels. The contrast ratio of 1000:1 is the difference between the brightest white and darkest black. The screen brightness of this TV is 1100 cd/m2. Resolution together with contrast ratio and screen brightness produces clear and bright images that are soothing to the eyes. Hence the quality of the picture produced depend totally on resolution, brightness and contrast ratio. The viewing angle of this model is 170 degrees.
Audio and Other Features
Two speakers that come with this model produce a total output power of 20W. It features Picture in Picture, which means you can view multiple channels simultaneously. RGB, Component Video, S-Video and Composite Video are the different analog video signals available in this model plasma TV. Remote control that comes with Loewe Xelos A42 Plasma TV is of infra red type. Sleep timer and proprietary parental control are other features that are available in this TV.
Another important feature is that Loewe Xelos A42 High Definition Plasma TV comes with integrated digital hard disk memory that can record about 100 hours of continuous programme and even pause a programme and view it later. It also comes with a feature of automatic recording of 30 seconds following a scene and 30 seconds of leading up to scene and view it whenever you wish for.
Connections
Various connections of this model plasma TV are Composite, S-Video, RGB-Scart, Scart, Component and HDMI.
Dimensions and Weight
Loewe Xelos A42 Plasma TV comes with a screen size of 42” and an image aspect ratio of 16:9. The dimensions and weight is 1043mm (W) x 640mm (H) x 90mm (D) and 40Kg respectively.
LG 42PX5D Widescreen Plasma TV With HD Ready
September 23, 2008
Every model that is launched in to the market by LG is no doubt of a standard quality. The latest model introduced by this company is LG 42PX5D Plasma TV. This model will definitely outshine the existing ones with the advanced features packed in it. It comes with built-in Digital TV tuner and Freeview. With this facility you can tune in to different digital TV channels. The plasma screen measures 42 inches diagonally.
Digital TV
LG 42PX5D Plasma Television is a HD Ready TV that can accept and display high definition pictures that have signals of 720p and 1080i. This is also HDTV compatible meaning that it can receive HD signal and display it. The aspect ratio of this model is 16:9. You can comfortably watch programmes even from an angle of 160 degrees.
Picture
The brightness of this model plasma TV is 1000 cd/m2 and the colour depth is 107.0 million. The contrast ratio comes to 5000:1, which is the ratio of the brightest white and the darkest black. LG 42PX5D HD Ready Plasma TV features Picture-in-Picture and progressive scan. The resolution of 1024×768 produces brighter and sharper pictures. Higher the resolution, clearer will be the pictures.
Sound
Two speakers that come with this model produce stereo sound effect with the out power of 15W each. It is also designed with auto volume adjustment. Sub woofer is also included also along with the speakers. Various audio controls are balance, sound mode, treble and bass.
Power
While in use, LG 42PX5D High Definition Plasma TV consumes power of 450W. The power is internal and it requires voltage of AC 120/230 V and a frequency of 50/60 Hz.
Features
Other important features included are auto power off, XD Engine technology, 3:2 pull down compensation and parental channel lock. This TV features Teletext on Freeview, which is a broadcast service of news related to sports, weather, entertainment, financial services etc.
Dimensions and Other Features
LG 42PX5D Plasma TV measures 65.3cm (H) x 125.2cm (W) x 9.9cm (D). It comes with one year warranty. Wide viewing angle along with high pixel resolution provide a vibrant pictures with soothing colour effects.
