Which+TV

Which TV



Shopping for a TV can seem like a non-stop flood of numbers and jargon: contrast, 1080p, 240Hz, HDMI, 3D, and more. While some of these terms are descriptive, others are designed to fool you into thinking one TV is better than another, when actually it is not. Compiled here is a directory of every term you will need to navigate the TV waters.  Instead of one long article describing it all, it is broken down into sections so you can find just what you are looking for.
 * Picture quality **

 The most important aspect of picture quality is contrast ratio. The problem is, every manufacturer lies about their contrast ratio: [|Contrast ratio (or how every TV manufacturer lies to you)] . Adjusting your TV's colour temperature can make the image more realistic. But [|what is TV colour temperature?] Having trouble figuring out the difference between the different TV technologies? Check out <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">[|LED LCD vs. plasma vs. LCD] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">Most of the ads you will see talk about "LED TVs." <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">There is no such thing as an "LED TV." <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">Find out why <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">[|LED does not mean a better picture] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">The ability to create a uniform image, like a solid screen of black or white, is difficult for many LCDs and LED LCDs. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">However, is <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">[|LCD and LED LCD HDTV uniformity a problem?] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"> In short, yes. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">One of the early concerns with plasma TVs was the possibility of an image getting stuck or "burned" into the screen. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">However, these days, <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">[|is plasma HDTV burn-in a problem?] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"> In short, not really. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">OLED is the next generation of TV technology. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">It has the best picture quality characteristics of plasma and LCD, with few of the drawbacks of either. It is still shrouded in mystery, but <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">[|here is what we know] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">. <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; text-decoration: initial;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">Bigger is better, right? <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">However, how big is too big? <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"> In other words, <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">[|how big a TV should you buy?] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">Several TV manufacturers are selling 70-, 80-, even 90-inch LCD TVs. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"> They are not without issues. So <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">[|do not buy a jumbo LCD TV, buy a projector] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">Front projection has come a long way from the massive CRT projectors of the 80's and 90's. A compelling case for <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">[|Projection vs. TV: Your TV is too tiny] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">. <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">[|Rear-projection] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">, on the other hand, is basically dead. Mitsubishi, the last maker of those big-screen boxes, <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">[|reportedly plans to cease production] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">Size **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">Resolution **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"> Most TVs are 1080p. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"> Most cable boxes output 1080i. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">Here is a surprise: <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">[|1080i and 1080p are the same resolution] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">For most people, that 1080i cable box output is fine. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"> However, for others, a different resolution might be better. Find out <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">[|which resolution is best for your set-top box?] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">Just because you have an HDTV does not mean everything you watch on it is "HD." <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"> Find out <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">[|when HD is not HD] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">Every TV will convert every signal you give it to display on your TV. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">This process is called "upconverting," and it is a big part of the performance of your TV. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"> So <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">[|what is upconverting?] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">One of the big buzz words this year is "4K" or "Ultra HD." <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">For most people, though, <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">[|4K TVs are stupid] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">Many high-end TVs feature 120 or 240Hz refresh rates. OK, so <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">[|what is "refresh rate"?] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">Other TVs talk about 600Hz. Is 600 better than 240? <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">Well, believe it or not, they are not exactly comparable. Well, then, <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">[|what is 600Hz?] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">If you get one of these new 120 or 240Hz refresh-rate TVs, it will not say you are watching "120Hz" when you are watching TV. <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">[|Here's why not] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">Refresh rate **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">3D **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"> Hard to miss all the talk about 3D. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">One of the biggest differences in <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">[|3D TVs] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"> is active 3D vs. passive 3D. <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">[|Which one is better?] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">Here is how 3D works on <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">[|Blu-ray and from your 3D cable/satellite provider] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">Inputs **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"> The best way to get an HD signal to your TV is with HDMI cables. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"> You will often see HDMI cables for $20, $50, even $100 or more. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"> Here is the secret: <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">[|all HDMI cables are the same] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">It turns out, saying something hyperbolic like "All HDMI cables are the same" ruffled a few feathers. Here are the arguments, dismissed in systematic fashion, with <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">[|Why all HDMI cables are the same, part 2] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"> and <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">[|Still more reasons why all HDMI cable are the same] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">Once you get that TV, and all the cables, you will probably want to know <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">[|how to set up an HDTV]