Most displays capable of showing digital broadcasts will show true High Definition (HDTV) while some offer a lower resolution picture labeled as Enhanced Definition (EDTV).These are labeled based on their capability to show lines of resolution such as… 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i and 1080p. The number you see literally identifies how many lines run horizontally across the screen in order to make one complete picture; the higher the number, the more detail you will see.
The “i” stands for interlaced, meaning the lines of resolution are drawn odd first, then even (1, 3, 5, 7, etc then 2, 4, 6, 8, etc). When ending in “p” or progressive, the lines are drawn in order, yielding a smoother, more detailed picture compared to an interlaced version with the same number of lines. So, if you purchase a set capable of displaying 1080p that means it can show up to 1080 lines horizontally across the screen, drawn progressively in chronological order from top to bottom thus yielding a better picture than the interlaced 1080i. True HDTV starts at 720p while EDTV sets cannot display greater than 480p resolution. Anything broadcast to EDTV sets at a higher level will be down-converted (digitally down-graded) to 480p.

Selecting Your TV
You have practical decisions to make. Among them:

• Screen size – what fits my room?
• Resolution – guided by proximity and budget
• Physical location – what’s functional as well as décor sensitive?
  

Start with deciding where you’d like to place your new HDTV. Flat-panel sets give you the flexibility to put the picture where it works best for your lifestyle. Generally, you’ll select a room where you spend a lot of time either on your own, with family or friends. Plan on positioning the TV so that the display faces the main seating area as straight on as possible. When choosing screen size, think about how far most viewers will be from the screen. While HDTV looks incredible, lower resolution broadcasts will not look as good up close. It’s rare that anyone wishes they bought a smaller TV, but sometimes it may make the most sense for your room. Being very close to a very big screen will reveal even the best TV’s shortcomings!

Next, decide if you’d like it on a stand, furnishing or hung on the wall. You have many options with each. Don’t let it get overcomplicated, make sure it has the highest resolution your budget allows (true HD starts with 720p and nothing beats 1080p) and pick the TV that has the picture and cabinet YOU like best. In the end, you will be the one watching it!

Many of us are attracted to flat panel TVs hanging on the wall like magic. But it’s not magic. If that is the best choice for your room, there are a few things to take into consideration:

• Make sure the wall you choose is up to the task.
• Consider engaging a professional installer.
• Plan for available AC and being able to hide the required cables.
• Ask about available brackets for your TV. They typically do not some with the TV. You have a choice.
• Flat – allows for a basic, clean installation parallel with the surface.
• Tilt – if your room throws you a curve ball with its angles, this may the best bet.
• Articulating – further increases the angle of viewing options and is easy to change.

Feed Your TV
With HDTV, like many things in life, you get back what you put in to it. You must have quality sources supplying video signal to your new set to fully enjoy its ability. To get HD television broadcasts from major networks, you can use an off-air antenna if you are in range for reception from the nearest tower. You will also need a set with a built-in HD tuner if you choose this as your source. If you’d like more than just your local networks, you can subscribe to your local cable TV provider or sign up with a provider that let’s you receive your signals from satellite and be sure to ask for HD programming and hardware! While not every HD station offers HD broadcasts 24 hours a day, the majority of the networks’ primetime offerings, most movie channels and a number of specialty channels are available in HD and the hours per day HD is available is increasing all the time. If you’re not watching programming broadcast in HD, your HD set cannot provide true HD quality!

DVD is another great source for your new HDTV. Standard DVD players display 480i while “progressive scan” players will show 480p. There are two new formats delivering 1080p that you should consider, HD DVD and Blu-ray.

Getting the Picture You Saw at the Store
To get all the picture quality you paid for, be sure to use high performance video cables. Not all cables are created equal. Only two types of cable deliver HD signal, “component” and HDMI. Component is a three wire video cable capable of up to 1080i. The video signal is in three separate “components” which are translated in the TV. HDMI is a high-bandwidth (10Gbps or 10,000 times faster than your broadband internet) digital format for delivering video up to 1080p along with audio. While it may look simple, and is very simple to connect, it represents cutting edge technology. Even though there is much going on within better quality cables that you can’t see, the construction and materials make a large difference. Look for silver-plated copper conductors for the best result.
“The new HDMI 1.3 standard enables higher resolution, deeper color and better sound. HDMI 1.3 elevates the HD experience to a new high level, but also brings tough challenges to associated equipment and cables.  Consumers need to carefully choose quality cables and gear to insure that their home theater system is future proof.” Xiaozheng Lu, SVP Product Development, WireLogic.

Optimize Your HDTV and Turn Your Room into a Home Theater
The biggest impact you can make after getting an incredible picture is adding some big sound to that big picture! Speakers come in many shapes and sizes. Listen to them with a multi-channel receiver capable of digital surround such as Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS. Look for helpful features like component video switching or even better, HDMI switching. The beauty can also be in the ear of the beholder. You are the one investing in and living with your system – select the one within your budget that sounds most pleasing to YOU.

Getting the Sound You Heard at the Store
Just like video, you must invest in quality cables for your receiver, components and speakers. Digital Coax and Toslink (Fiber Optic) are the only types of audio cables that can deliver digital, multi-channel surround sound. Don’t forget to choose a high quality speaker cable to maintain the performance throughout. Look for audio cables featuring solid core center conductors.

Getting It Home and Making it Work
For those ready to dive into the Do-It-Yourself pool, enjoy the satisfaction you can receive putting some of your own sweat into your system. However, in order to get every bit of performance available, even if you are handy around the house, you will benefit from having your system professionally installed. Remember, the pros do this every day and with that come many advantages.

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