Today I went shopping for a TV at a local store and fortunately for me, I found a very nice salesperson who told me about high-definition television (HDTV).

Then it dawned on me that I am no longer the hi-fi freak that I was once. I mean, come on, who doesn't know about HDTV right? Well, I didn't...

This evening I spent quite a bit of time researching the subject and none the wiser for it! As far as I can tell, our local TV stations do not broadcast in digital and neither does the main satellite TV provider.

Also, from what I read so far on the Net, none of the DVDs being sold here (Malaysia) are recorded in HD quality. Not to mention that I may need a HD DVD Player to even watch such a movie if it existed.

Which begs the question: why would I need a HDTV already?

Still, I am thinking about getting this one: Philips Stereo TV with Pixel Plus 34" real flat HD Ready. It was the cheapest one I could find. Everything else was at least RM1,000 more.

Anyone here with some advice or suggestions?

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J de Silva
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HD Ready is supposed to mean that it has enough resolution do display HD pictures, but if it says "HD Ready" that means that it doesn't have a built-in tuner that can actually receive HD programs. (Otherwise it would just say "HD", not "HD Ready").

The set that you are looking at does have the resolution, and probably looks real good (based on my experience with Philips-LG lcd displays for small systems --- I think they are great).

Just keep in mind that when HD broadcasts become available, you aren't quite "HD Ready". By that time, maybe real HD sets with built-in tuners will be there (for only a few dollars more --- or maybe at about the same price but with even more features).

My opinion: If you need a new TV, get a TV that looks good here and now (there and now, actually) with program material that is available now. Enjoy!

You might want to follow a few links starting here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HD_ready


Regards,

Dave

Thank you Dave, I appreciate the advice.

I'll be honest, I am glad I didn't get excited about buying a "HDTV" no matter how determined the salesperson was to sell me the idea. After some reading and your post, I realise it's all just clever marketing --making me believe I need a HDTV.

My priority, when I decided to replace my TV, is to get the largest screen I can afford. And I when I went out shopping today, I was determined to get a 34 inch screen TV, at least.

Among all the 34 inch TVs he had in his store, there were 2 that fit my budget. One is the Philips I mentioned in my previous post and the other is this Panasonic TV. The Panasonic set is at least RM400 more than the other one (Philips), but not even "HD Ready".

If you were me, which one would you choose?

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J de Silva
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HiDef DVDs require you to buy a new DVD player, either Blue-Ray or HD-DVD. That's why Sony is pushing the PS3 so much because it's roughly 1/2 the price of a standalone Blue-Ray player. My opinion is to wait until one format wins the fight, or until a player that handles both formats comes out.

I've seen HD displays in the store and unless I see it next to a standard display I can't tell the difference. Sure, the colors look brighter and all but I know that's because most TV displays are set to a higher "power" than they are supposed to be (for normal use they are supposed to be slightly "dim", according to NTSC standards).

The current install base of HDTV is roughly 20%, at least in the US; I don't know what the rest of the world is at. That being said, the US probably won't have a critical mass until 2010 at the earliest, simply based on most people being happy w/ what they have. Standard CRT TVs last a long time so people will be hesitant to buy a new one until there is enough viewing media available to justify it.

The other thing to be aware of is that right now there are at least 4 different HDTV types: LCD, plasma, CRT (both rear projection and standard display), and DLP. There's also an SED-TV expected to come out next year and then there's the Australian guys who are working on a laser TV that Mitsubishi expects to have out next year.

So, I agree w/ dave. Buy a standard display for now and what to see what the future decides is the format to have. IMO, it's better to buy a "cheap" TV right now than spend big bucks on a new format that may not make it (think Beta vs. VHS).

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Thank you C, that Laser TV sounds interesting.

Even though the cost of LCD and Plasma TVs here have plummeted recently, they are still beyond what I can afford to spend on a TV.

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J de Silva
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If you're not going to get any use out of HD, why bother. If there are plans for your stations to go HD (like here in the States) it all depends on when, as Dave suggested. I see 4 scenarios:
1) If within the next year or two, go for the HD.
2) If under, say, 4 years, live with what you've got until the HD switch gets closer.
3) Within 4-7 years, go with a much cheaper settle-for-less-now-temporarily TV that you will replace near the time HD is nearing your event horizon.
4) If there aren't any set plans, go with the non-HD.

Of course your decision on the timeframe should be based on your price and length of time.

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Thank you again, for all your comments and advice.

Yesterday I received the TV and I am happy with it. I ended up up getting the Philips set, not because it's "HD Ready", but because it was the "cheapest". Due to the upcoming Eid and Deepavali celebrations, the set was being offered with a RM500 discount, so it ended up being the cheapest.

The picture quality is not bad and I have nothing to complain about. The sound though, has me somewhat concerned. At certain preset sound settings (theatre and music e.g.) and slightly louder volumes, the areas around the speakers start to rattle!

The technician will come today and I hope this issue is something that can/will be resolved easily.

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J de Silva
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I've noticed that problem w/ my eMac. I think it's the fact that the speakers are so small that when they are cranked, the housing can't dampen the vibrations sufficently to keep it from vibrating the plastic case.

In my experience, the easiest way to keep it from happening is to not overdrive your speakers. If you really want it loud, buy a home theater system or hook your TV up to your stereo.

They also make dampening material for car speakers that might help, though the ones I've seen would require you to take off the case.

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