Smart Home Lifestyle
February 17, 2007
For the clearest in picture in high-definition TVs,
you can't beat a 1080p
If you’re like me, seeing is believing. And believe me,
after I saw that 70” 1080p TV, like Jordache jeans, now nothing
gets between me and my HDTV. But is upgrading right for everyone? And
when is the right time to say “when?” For most folks,
eyes are bigger than bank accounts, and the question of a clearer picture
seems to become a whole lot fuzzier.
Eye Candy
1080p TV’s aren’t stand alone, they need a 1080p signal
for a 1080p display. So how do you get a signal? Not from
cable or satellite companies-they only go up to a 1080i resolution. And,
not from regular DVDs. Pretty much the only way you’ll get
a true 1080p signal is from either
an HD DVD or Blu-ray DVD, played through a HD DVD player.
So, why bother? It’s the detail, baby. With twice the
resolution of 1080i, it’s worth batting an eye at.
I see
These days, 1080p TV’s are commonly LCDs, but plasmas and other
technologies are working hard to get there. In fact, 1080p TV’s
pretty much started with the SXRD,
which is basically an LCD TV with a twist.
With LCD, light shines through the gaps between the pixels. This
is why blacks often look more like dark greys- the’re too much
light coming from behind to produce a true black. But with SXRD,
light is reflected. This means it can have a higher concentration
of pixels for a higher resolution.
Regardless of what type you choose, make sure you’re really
getting what you think you’re getting- a true 1080p TV.
Got the picture?
Did you know that some 1080p TVs
can display 1080p but they
don’t accept a 1080p signal? Confusing? Yes. A
little misleading? Absolutely.
It all comes down to money. TV inputs that accept a 1080p signal
are more expensive for the manufacturer than the ones that don’t. A
savings for them, but a loss, in resolution, for you.
So, how do you know? Make sure you have a knowledgeable salesperson,
or go with a Sony TV. They avoid confusion by labeling all their “true” 1080p
TV’s as “full HD.”
Off the charts
What about cost? Unlike most TV upgrades, jumping to a 1080p
TV isn’t just about the TV, but also the “accessories.” Do
you really want to spend $1000 on a HD DVD player? And you’ve
finally upgraded all your VHS tapes to DVD, are you ready to upgrade
to HD DVD’s at about $30 a pop?
Keeping an “eyes toward the goal” approach, at the very
least buy a 1080p TV. On average, a person only buys a new TV
every 5 years- this way you’ll be future-proofed. Then,
if you want a HD DVD player, but don’t have enough cash, consider
a PlayStation 3.
PlayStation 3 has a built in Blu-ray DVD player and runs between $500
and $600. PS3 plays Blu-ray DVDs, regular DVDs and CDs, thanks
to backwards compatibility. All this, plus high definition gaming.
Don’t want your home theater looking like a game room? PS3
offers a DVD remote control for around $25 so you’re not stuck
using the enclosed controller. It even uses Bluetooth, so
you can keep your console hidden.
Author: Diana Kostigen, Marketing/Public Relations Director, Comtec
