HDTV: High Definition

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High Definition Televisions - HDTV

HD-Ready televisions are one of the many different types of television that you can choose from when you are buying a new TV. On this page you can find out more about High Definition televisions and how they work.

To help you decide whether a HD television is the right type of television for you, you’ll find more useful information including hints and tips on what to look for when choosing a HD television on the following pages:

HD TV - What are HD Televisions?

Firstly you must be aware that HDTV isn’t a brand new type of television exactly, it is more of a new feature which only compatible televisions can use, like Teletext for example.

HDTV stands for High Definition Television and enhances the quality of both picture and sound that you receive. You must first be receiving a High Definition Signal to be able to receive high definition broadcasts, so you will need to invest in a HD set-top box and HD service as well as an HD-ready television set.

HD TV - How do HD Televisions Work?

Standard Analogue sets in Europe use around 625 scan lines to make up the image you will see on the screen. This is fed by the analogue signal they receive which currently is approximately 6MHz.

A High Definition television’s picture will be made up of almost double this amount of scan lines (720 or 1080 lines). The television set will get its information from a digital signal which is far stronger than the analogue signal, and this will therefore lead to an unprecedented level of clarity and picture quality.

There are four main types of HD television set. These are

Direct View TVs - these are the same as the Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) televisions that many people still have in their home.
Rear projection televisions (RPTV) - These are the big screen TVs which range from around 40 to 70 inches in size
LCD Televisions – flat-panel televisions with LCD screens
Plasma televisions – flat-panel televisions with plasma screens.

With television soon to be purely a digital medium, CRT TVs are being produced less and less. You are therefore most likely to be buying a LCD or plasma HD-ready television.

High Definition TV is ideal for using with Blu-ray Disc Players

Further Information

You can learn more about the different models and brands of HD-Ready television available in our Brands of Television section.

You can find out more about the types of accessory you can buy for your television in our Accessories section.

If you want to buy an HD television, go to our Where to Buy pages to find out about some great deals from online suppliers.

If you aren’t sure whether or not an HD television is the best option for you, visit our guide to How to Choose and Buy a Television for some hints and tips on what to look for when choosing a new television.

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