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Q:
What size TV screen do I need for home theater?
A: It depends on how big your room is, and
how far you plan to sit from the screen. Sitting too far away
from a medium-sized screen will reduce the impact and immediacy
of the viewing experience. On the other hand, if you're too
close to a large screen, you may be distracted by the screen's
"pixel structure." In today's TV market, a 32"
screen is generally considered to be the minimum necessary
for a home theater experience. Based on feedback from our
customers, we recommend getting the largest screen that fits
your budget and room.
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Q:
What is the optimum viewing distance for different screen
sizes?
A: With conventional tube TVs, you had to
sit at least 8 feet from a 32" screen to ensure a clear
picture. Any closer, and you'd start to notice the screen's
scanning lines. Today's HDTVs have higher-resolution screens
(and more space-efficient cabinets) that let you put a larger
set in your room and/or sit much closer.
High-quality video material like DVDs
and HDTV programs look amazing on these new TVs. But some
people also find that noise and distortion in lower-quality
analog signals (like standard broadcast and cable) are exposed
and magnified. That's why our viewing distance chart (below)
offers a range for each screen size. If most of your viewing
is DVD-quality or better, you'll see more details by sitting
closer. If you watch more regular (non-HD) video, sit farther
back for a smoother picture.
The chart below provides general recommendations.
Naturally, personal preference plays a big role in finding
the optimum viewing distance. Like in a movie theater, some
people always sit up front, some in back, and some prefer
the middle. Our distance ranges were calculated by multiplying
the screen size (measured diagonally) by 1-1/2 or 2-1/2.
Suggested viewing distances for HDTV-capable
TVs.
We provide a range because the ideal distance will
depend on several factors, including signal quality.
| Screen
Size |
Viewing
Distance Range |
30" |
3.75-6.25 feet |
34" |
4.25-7 feet |
42" |
5.25-8.75 feet |
50" |
6.25-10.5 feet |
56" |
7-11.75 feet |
62" |
7.75-13 feet |
70" |
8.75-14.75 feet |
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Q:
What about viewing height? Does that matter?
A: For optimum viewing, your eyes should be about level with
the middle of the screen when you're seated in your normal
viewing position. This is especially important for "big-screen"
rear-projection TVs since their pictures will look most vivid
at this level. We carry a wide selection of TV stands to support
flat-panel and tabletop rear-projection TVs, and to raise
them to the correct viewing height.
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Q:
I just got an "upconverting" DVD player. What should
I look for in a TV to maximize DVD viewing?
A: An upconverting DVD player includes a built-in scaler chip
that converts the video resolution to a format higher than
the 480p provided by progressive-scan DVD players. Upconverting
players typically output video at 720p, 1080i or 1080p — resolutions
that more closely match the screen resolution of HDTVs. Nearly
all of these players can only send upconverted video to a
TV via an HDMI or DVI connection. For the best picture quality
from an upconverting player, be sure to choose a TV with at
least one HDMI input (HDMI is backward-compatible with DVI).
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Q:
What is the difference between a TV that is labeled "HDTV"
and one that is "HDTV-ready"?
A: The Consumer Electronics Association defines
an HDTV as having a built-in HDTV tuner, a screen with the
wide 16:9 aspect ratio, and the ability to display at least
720 lines of vertical resolution.
An HDTV-ready TV
is not capable of receiving digital TV broadcasts on its own
and must be connected to a separate HDTV tuner to view digital
broadcasts (most HDTV-ready TVs do include a regular NTSC
tuner for receiving analog broadcasts). HDTV-ready TVs can
have either a 4:3 or 16:9 screen, however they must be able
to display at least a 720-line 16:9 image (models with 4:3
screens may display the image in a 16:9 "window").
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Q:
I finally bought an HDTV, so now whenever I see the "Available
in HD" logo on the screen, I'll be seeing a high-definition
picture, right?
A: No, unfortunately it's not that simple.
What that on-screen logo means is that if you have a high-definition
TV that is receiving a high-definition signal, you'll be seeing
HD. Sources of high-def programming include digital over-the-air
broadcasts, and select cable and satellite channels.
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Q:
I'm interested in a flat-panel LCD or plasma TV. How do I
determine which type is right for me?
A: If you're interested in a more space-efficient
design, definitely check out our selection of flat-panel TVs.
These models are based on LCD or plasma technology, and combine
super-thin panel depth with light weight, and sharp, vivid
picture quality. Flat-panel TVs offer much wider viewing angles
than rear-projection TVs.
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Q:
In my area only a couple of local TV stations are broadcasting
digital signals. Does it make sense to buy an HDTV now?
A: Absolutely. Congress and President Bush
have approved legislation requiring that all analog TV broadcasts
in the U.S. cease by February 17, 2009. Most of the nation's
commercial and public broadcast TV stations are already simulcasting
digital and analog signals, so we can all still tune in our
favorite shows whether we're watching a brand-new HDTV or
a set that's 20 years old. That will change in 2009. After
the shutoff date, any standard TV (analog-only tuner) that
isn't also connected to a cable, satellite, or digital-to-analog
converter box will go dark.
As the transition to digital TV is
completed over the next few years, the amount and availability
of digital HDTV programs will expand quickly. If you're shopping
for a new TV — especially if it will be your main TV — don't
invest any more money in the analog past.
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Q:
Primetime shows in high definition look great on my HDTV,
but when my local news comes on, the picture isn't as sharp,
and it's not widescreen. Why is that?
A: What you're seeing is the difference between
high-definition and standard-definition digital broadcasts.
At this point relatively few local TV stations are producing
their own shows in high-definition. It's common for stations
to show daytime programs in SD (480i or 480p), and primetime
network shows in HD (720p or 1080i).
Most HDTVs provide channel ID information,
including resolution and aspect ratio. HD programs will be
labeled "1080i/16:9" or "720p/16:9," while
standard-definition shows are generally "480i/4:3."
Usually, 480i signals look sharper and clearer that standard
satellite and cable TV signals, but they definitely don't
have the same detail and depth as high-def.
When digital television was being
developed, the TV industry came up with a total of 18 different
video formats (see chart, below). Although there are actually
only a few different resolution options, when you multiply
them by varying frame rates and two different aspect ratios,
the total adds up quickly. You'll see that out of the 18 total
DTV formats, 6 are HDTV and 12 are SDTV. Note in the chart's
"Frame Rate" column that "i" means interlaced
scan and "p" means progressive scan.
DTV
Format |
Resolution
(pixels H x V)
|
Aspect
Ratio |
Frame
Rate |
HDTV |
1920 x 1080 |
16:9 |
60i, 30p, 24p |
HDTV |
1280 x 720 |
16:9 |
60p, 30p, 24p |
| HDTV |
704 x 480 |
16:9 |
60p, 60i, 30p, 24p |
| SDTV |
704 x 480 |
4:3 |
60p, 60i, 30p, 24p |
| HSDTV |
640 x 480 |
4:3 |
60p, 60i, 30p, 24p |
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Q: Is all high-definition TV content in the 1080i format?
A: No, but most of it is. The bulk of TV
production and broadcasting is done at 1080i. However, both
ABC's and Fox's HD programming is in 720p and looks very good
— especially their sports programming.
- Over-the-air broadcasts:
CBS, NBC and PBS use 1080i; ABC and Fox use 720p.
- Premium networks:
HBO HD, Showtime HD, Discovery HD, HDNet and INHD use 1080i;
ESPN HD uses 720p.
- Digital satellite providers:
Both DIRECTV® HD and DISH™ HD channels broadcast in 1080i.
- Cable TV providers:
All major cable companies use 1080i.
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Variants
of LCD
Other variants of LCD video projection technology in use are:
LCOS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon), D-ILA
(Digital Imaging Light Amplification), and SXRD
(Silicon Crystal Reflective Display).
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Q:
Why is it that not all TVs with picture-in-picture actually
let you watch two stations at once?
A: TV manufacturers take two basic approaches
to picture-in-picture (PIP). With 1-tuner PIP, the TV has
one built-in tuner, so you'll need to connect a VCR or other
tuner source if you want to watch two different TV broadcasts
at once. Actually, with 1-tuner PIP, you can enjoy picture-in-picture
with the addition of another video source like a DVD player
or camcorder — what you'll be watching is one pre-recorded
program and one TV broadcast.
A TV with 2-tuner PIP has two built-in
tuners, allowing you to watch two different TV broadcasts
simultaneously using only the TV.
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