Understanding New Televisions

Selecting a new TV doesn't have to be too complicated. You really just need to understand a few of the terms people use in discussing newer televisions. Just consider the following and buy a TV with the components and inputs that you need, and in the right size.

3D TV

3D TV is the new thing in televisions right now, but the fact is that it might be a little too far ahead of its time. Within a few years, there will be a lot of 3D TV content so three dimensional televisions will be a lot more popular. For now, they're great for your Avatar Blu-Ray and a few other movies and shows, but it's going to take you a little time to build up your collection.

That said, a 3D TV will, in fact, support all of your 1080p Blu Ray and DVD movies, as, when not playing in 3D, a 3D TV is just a regular old Hi Def set when you get right down to it. If you want to get a jump start on the new revolution in television, this may be the way to go.

Using A Hi Definition TV

Pretty much all televisions out there today, all of the sets released in the last five or so years, are hi def, so the question isn't really whether or not to get a hi def set as it is whether or not you're making use of your 1080p Hi Definition TV. The fact is that you might not even be making the most of your Hi Def set right now.

A lot of what's available right now is still in standard definition, which means 480p, or 480 pixels vertically, the p standing for "progressive", which means, well, better picture, to simplify it. 1080p refers to 1080 lines of pixels going up and down, and the progressive "p" indication means that your set scans one line of pixels and draws it from one end to the other, then moves down and draws the next line. 1080i is slightly inferior quality as you're going to have it "interlaced", meaning that it is the same resolution, but it's not animated as cleanly. First the odd numbered lines are scanned and drawn, and then the even numbered lines.

But, if you use an older television and have been thinking of buying a Hi Definition set at 1080p, know that standard DVDs are in standard definition. Blu Ray discs offer Hi Definition image because they can store much more information on the disc.

Know, too, that these rules apply with certain video game systems. Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 are both in HD, whereas the Wii is in standard definition. Playing movies from your computer or from the web, most sources will only provide standard def because there's simply too much information to get across in hi def, and few people have large enough monitors to justify full HD, anyways.

Buying a new set can be simple, just know what you're looking for.