HDTV Key Features and Connectivity Options
Before you buy a new HDTV display, you have to check on basic features like picture-in-picture (PIP), built-in tuner, audio system and source input options. TV sets start from the basic model to the top of the line loaded with all kinds of features and add-ons. Check out this article to determine if what you’re considering to buy is actually what you need. Don’t waste your bucks for those extra features that you don’t really require.
Picture-in-picture (PIP)
PIP is a basic feature for almost all new HDTV sets. It lets you see another program in a little window while watching the main program on the screen. Some TV models have controls to resize the PIP window, move it anywhere on the screen, or divide the screen into two same-size windows containing two different programs. The programs can be any combination of cable, satellite, or terrestrial TV program and from other sources like DVD players or gaming consoles.
TV Audio System
Almost all TV sets today are capable of stereo reception and equipped with stereo left/ right speakers. Bigger displays have sub-woofer options and audio systems that simulate surround-sound output. But to get true surround-sound experience, you should consider an external home-theater audio system. New HDTV sets and DVD players have either multiple audio outputs or multiplexed surround-sound outputs. You should first check these options before you buy a corresponding home-theater audio system.
Built-in Tuner
During the times when there was only analog transmission of broadcast signal, all TV sets are equipped with analog TV tuners: NTSC in the US, PAL-SECAM in Europe and either of the two analog standards in other countries. Now we have both analog and digital transmissions in this period of digital TV transition. All old CRT TV sets are equipped with analog tuners and will need external digital TV decoder or set top box to receive digital TV signal. Most new HDTV sets are not equipped with analog tuners and may have digital tuners built-in depending on your country’s digital TV standard. This can be the case with smaller flat panel displays. For bigger HDTV displays, the digital tuner can be an optional board or module. The advantage of this is your display will not be locked to a particular digital TV standard or source and you will have the option of better technologies and standards that may come up in the future.
Another advantage without the tuner built-in is the price of the display will be cheaper. On the other hand, having the tuner built-in also offers some advantages. One is if the location where you want your HDTV display installed has limited space for an external decoder box. Another is you will need just one remote control to change channels and adjust the display settings.
Inputs and Outputs
Composite Video - this is a type of video connection that utilizes a single coaxial cable with RCA-type plugs at both ends. This is usually the yellow cable in typical A/V cables with the red and black for left/ right audio. The video signal is called composite because all the luminance (black and white), chrominance (color) and sync signals are combined into one composite signal. This is the type of video connection with the poorest picture quality because of possible interference between the luminance, chrominance and sync signals.
S-Video or Super Video is a type of video connection was developed to improve the picture quality available in composite video. In this format, chrominance information is separated from the combined luminance and sync information. S-video utilizes two coaxial cables for these two sets of information. Either miniature 4-pin mini DIN-type plugs or two RCA-type plugs are used for the cable connectors. S-Video is also called Y/C connection: Y is for luminance and C is for chroma.
Component Video - this type of connection further improved the picture quality offered by S-Video. The luminance and sync information (Y) are combined and run in one coaxial cable while the chrominance information is further separated into blue minus luminance (Pb) and red minus luminance (Pr). These color component signals are run in two separate coaxial cables bringing the total number coaxial cables to three. The connectors at both ends of the cables are either RCA-type or BNC-type. Component video is also called YPbPr connection.
VGA or Video Graphics Array is actually a PC connection type used in connecting a computer to a monitor. Some TV manufacturers added this input to their monitors because of the increasing number of broadcast quality content from the internet. An increasing number of viewers also find it practical to use just one monitor for their PC and their TV viewing. The cable used is multi-conductor with 15-pin D-sub connectors at both ends.
DVI or Digital Visual Interface is the digital version of VGA and primarily used in connecting a computer to a monitor. This is a type of connection that inputs uncompressed video signals from the source to the display device. A DVI link is made up of four twisted pairs of wire - red, green, blue, and clock, and transmits 24 bits of information per pixel. No compression is used so there is no loss of picture quality from the source to the monitor.
HDMI or High Definition Multimedia Interface further improved DVI by allowing up to eight channels of digital audio and consumer electronics control signals to run in the same HDMI cable. In case you don’t know, the HDMI video signal is electrically compatible with the DVI signal. This means you can you can interconnect sources and display devices with either HDMI or DVI connectors by using appropriate cable adapters. It should be noted though that the digital audio and control signals will not be transmitted. HDMI started at version 1.0 and the latest available is 1.3. The updated standard is backward compatible to earlier versions but offers bigger video bandwidth resulting to better picture quality.
Knowing possible features and input/ output options available in HDTV displays as discussed in this article may now have well-equipped you in choosing the right display for your requirement. When you go to the store, don’t let the salesman do the talking alone but ask what you still need to know aside from the things already discussed above. Select a display with only the features you need to get maximum value for your bucks. The extra sum can be saved for your future purchase of peripherals like home-theater audio systems and external digital tuners.
