Latest TV Articles
GlossaryPosted in General
Contrast Ratio - A way to measure the difference on a TV between the lightest colour and the darkest colour. A high contrast ratio is desirable on any TV.
HDTV Made EasyPosted in Buying Help
HDTV Made EasyMost people know that if they're going to buy a TV online today. But what exactly is this and what's all the fuss? We take a look at HDTV and it's implications when buying a new TV.
What's this about HDTV?HDTV (that's High Definition TeleVision in case you didn't know) means much better quality pictures from your television. People use their TVs for all kinds of entertaining activities. And HD means much more detailed, clearer pictures for all of them - whether you want to watch TV shows, play DVDs or save the world on your games console.
A bit about HD signalsIf, like me, you've recently upgraded your old set to a nice large flat screen TV, you might have got a bit of a shock when you tuned in to your favourite TV show. The image that used to look good on your old 28" is now stretched over nearly twice the size. And it looks... well... a bit blobby.
This is because although the TV is 'HD', the signal isn't. Just because you buy an HD television, it doesn't magically improve the detail of the picture. The TV needs an HD signal before it can reproduce pictures in HD. That's not to say you can't enjoy your HDTV with a standard signal of course! Just that when HD is available everywhere, we'll all be watching TV in a much improved format. So when you see that a TV is 'HD Ready', it means that you'll be all set to enjoy HD signals once they're available in your area. How do you get HD TV then?So you've got your HD television set? Great. Next thing you'll need is a receiver to pick up the HD signals. Check with your current TV / satellite / cable provider and see what they offer in this area. You'll likely be able to pick up a receiver immediately and enjoy at least some channels in HD. More and more are being released all the time.
Telly typesPosted in Buying Help
Telly Types - Comparing LCD, Plasma and CRTLearn the difference and each ones pros & consIn this short guide, we take a look at the three main TV formats and examine what's so great about each one, as well as looking at their weaknesses.
CRT - Cathode Ray RubeThis is the TV we've been watching all of our lives. Good old glass tubes used in this ancient technology. Where 28" is considered a 'big' display. But don't knock the 'old' TV. The old dog's still got a few plus points.
PlasmaPlasma TVs uses advanced technology, that involves gas to emit light. Plasma displays are bold, bright and can come in huge sizes. (With an equally high price tag. The sizes start from around 37" upwards.
LCDLiquid Crystal Displays are the best selling and most popular form of flat screen TV at the moment. They're the same technology you'll find on your notebook computers and similar gadgets. They come in a huge range of sizes and are very affordable.
Digital TVPosted in General
Digital is coming - make sure you're readyWith the Digital TV switchover looming, we thought it would be a good idea to take an in-depth look at what digital was, and what it means to you.
What is Digital TV?Digital TV is a change in the way TV programs are broadcast and received. It's a much-needed replacement for the regular old 'analogue' service we've all been watching for years. Digital TV will be the only kind of TV you can watch after 2012 because of what's called the Switchover. This is where broadcasting networks switch over completely to digital broadcasts.
What it will do for you?Digital TV does some really good things, no matter who you are and what you do with your TV. For starters, it gives us all much sharper, better quality pictures and sound. It also lets you see on screen programming - so you can see what films are coming on, and when all the programs start. You can also use many interactive features.
How you can get it4/5 households in the UK already have digital TV. You can get it with a set top box (available in high street shops or very cheaply on eBay. It's also available with a satellite TV service such as Sky. And you can get your digital TV with a cable service. Most newer TVs have it built into them as standard too.
When does the switchover happen?The Digital TV switchover doesn't happen over night. Because of the amount of work involved it will be happening gradually, region by region. The border region will first see the switchover, followed by the rest of the Country. It happens gradually between 2008 and 2012. So you'll need to get one of the receivers mentioned above before then.
Further helpThere's a number of good websites available to help you get to grips with Digital TV.
LCD Or Plasma?Posted in Buying Help
Energy consumptionIn an ever greener world, it's always a good idea to check how much energy the products you're buying for your home will consume. Of course it will also save you money at the same time. Contrary to popular belief, LCDs and Plasma tvs use up about the same energy. So this shouldn't be a major concern when deciding between the two technologies. Will one last longer than the other?This is another area where the two kinds of TV will basically be the same. An average LCD or Plasma TV set will last you about 50,000 - 60,000 hours worth of viewing. This is incidentally around twice the length of the older CRT TV sets. Deeper blacks with Plasma?One of the main reasons viewers opt for a plasma set is that they are capable of reproducing really rich, deep black colours on the screen. Run side by side with an LCD TV, the difference is very noticeable. However LCD TVs are capable of producing rich, vibrant colours also. Especially the Bravia range, renowned for it's colour reproduction. What else can plasma do better?Plasma displays will also produce slightly sharper-looking images, and have a faster response speed. This will make fast-paced action scenes or sporting action appear smoother. Contrast is another area where Plasma screens can also look much better over it's LCD counterparts. WeightPlasma TVs are usually quoted as being heavier than LCD tellys. But it's worth bearing in mind that they aren't that much heavier. They are generally 10 - 15% more heavy than LCD TVs. Further reading
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Fantastic new TV from Samsung. Awarded 5/5 by What Hifi magazine.
This 26" LCD TV from Sony's Bravia range offers excellent picture quality, a built in freeview tuner and clear surround sound. Perfect as a second TV for the bedroom.
New 32" TV in the Sony Bravia Range. This TV offers some fantastic Bravia technology, such as motion flow 100hz, which improves images and gets rid of motion blur.
