HDTV pitfall terms

It’s time to buy your first high definition television – but it’s all so confusing, especially with retailers and manufacturers offering consumers HD-ready, HD monitor, EDTV, and HDTV sets.

Trouble is, get any of these wrong, and you could find yourself paying extra - but with no HDTV.

EDTV

EDTV stands for Enhanced Definition Television – and it is just what it says. It shows a picture that is labeled 480i or 480p – the same picture quality available in standard television sets. This is not what you want to purchase if you are looking for that high definition experience.

HD Monitor

HD monitor is also labeled as it is. This set lacks a built in TV tuner which means that it can not process the high definition transmissions on its own. However, most cable and satellite providers are set up for this process, so it may not be much of an issue. The picture quality is still low – only at 720p witch is the minimum for a set to qualify as HD.

HD Ready

HD-ready is a more debated term. It is often used to describe an HD monitor that has no tuners whatsoever. It has also been used to describe those sets that only have a NTSC (like that of a standard TV) but is capable of accepting and displaying HD signals of at least 720p.

HDTV

The HDTV is true HD with built in NTSC, ATSC (HD tuners), and showing at least 720p signals. The FCC has mandated that all TV’s over 25” have to now have built in HD tuners.