HDTV 101: A beginner's guide
You've been watching television all of your life and, all of a sudden, along comes HDTV.
This new technology might seem incredibly costly, confusing and unnecessary, but for the space of this article, we'll ask you to take a deep breath and try to forget all of that. HDTV doesn't need to be an incomprehensible morass of technical terms, jargon and marketing hype because, at heart, it's pretty darn simple: HDTV offers better picture.
It does have some unique requirements, however, so we'll guide you through what to expect.
To HDTV or not to HDTV?
When you're deciding whether to get an HDTV, ask yourself the following questions.
- Am I unhappy with the TV I have now?
- Do I want something bigger, flatter, sharper or brighter?
- Am I willing to pay hundreds of dollars more to get that something?
If the answer to any of these questions is no, then you're probably not ready for an HDTV. Go ahead and get a normal television, save a few bucks, and rest assured that in the next few years, technology prices will continue their inexorable fall, and you can get an HDTV when you're good and ready.
If you answered yes, however, then it's probably time for you to consider buying an HDTV. Here's where your choices begin to multiply, but don't lose heart. We'll take you through all you need to know.
The falling price of HDTV
HDTV prices have fallen so far in the last couple of years that most TV shoppers can afford to go high-def. We're often asked when HDTV prices will "bottom out", but we really can't say. By this stage, however, prices have gotten low enough that we feel safe saying that if you're buying now, you won't feel too burned by next year's prices.
|
1: To HDTV or not to HDTV?
