HDTV, which stands for High Definition Television represents the latest technological breakthrough home entertainment. By now, you’ve probably heard a lot of hype about how great HDTV is, but maybe you don’t understand why. Is it just a sharper TV? Or does it look good because it’s digital? While these questions are both somewhat true, the real answer requires a little more explanation. Let us go back to the beginning.

SDTV, which stands for Standard Definition Television, is the technology which powers your regular tv. Standard TV displays a picture of 720X480 lines of interlaced resolution. The first number represents the horizontal lines, the second, represents the vertical lines. Together, these two interlaced lines create the picture you see. The ‘interlaced’ before resolution stands for the blacks lines inserted between each resolution line, further diminishing picture quality. Stay with me now.

HDTV displays a picture of 1280X720(720p) or up 1920X1080(1080i/p) lines of progressive resolution. Progressive means lines of resolution, without black lines inserted between every other line, this is a good thing and gives you a much sharper picture quality that standard interlaced resolution on regular Tvs. Right off the bat, you can see the gap between the standard 720X480 tv resolution vs. the HD 1280X720 resolution. What this means, if you do some basic math, is that HDTV displays almost twice as much resolution as Standard TV and up to 3 times the resolution of TV with the 1920X1080p HD resolution,.

What does resolution mean? Try to think of resolution as how much detail an image can display. With HDTVs, you are able to view the same image, but with twice as much sharpnenss and detail. Other factors, such as digital transmission and broadcast also adds to the vivid and exceptionally clean picture quality. When you compare a Standard TV broadcast to an HDTV broadcast, Standard TV looks blurry and out of focus, whereas HDTV looks pristinely sharp and perfectly in focus.

That is why HDTV looks amazing and why it’s the new standard that is here to stay.

What types of HDTV exist?

Plasma or LCD? Tube or DLP? These are the four most common variations that HDTVs are manufactured in. Sounds silly doesn’t it? Remember those days when there was only one kind of tv available at your electronics store.

In actuality, these variations provide many positives and negatives and ultimately, every HDTV variation makes up for each other’s weaknesses.

PLASMAS
Let’s start with Plasma. A plasma HDTV flat panel is essentially 2 panels of glass that hold an inert mixture of neon and xenon gas in tiny cells. When the gas in the cells are electrically turned on, they become a plasma which then excites phosphors to emit light.

Plasmas offer superior brightness, color range and contrast, but recently have begun to be overtaken by LCDs. One of the biggest negatives about Plasma is the burn-in issue and the eventual fading of picture brightness due to old age. For example, leaving a still image of any sort on the screen too long will cause the image to be permanently burned in.

The other problem is the fading of picture brightness, ordinary usage of Plasmas over a pro-tracted period of time causes the picture to fade to black. Making an old plasma, a very expensive paper-weight.

LCD
One of the most promising new developments for HDTV is Liquid Crystal Displays or LCDs. Their arrival and rapid development in the form of computer monitors has prompted a jump into the world of HDTV. The first LCD HDTV’s lacked the visual punch of early Plasmas, but with accelerated development, LCDs offer a promise of greater things to come.

Some of the huge positives of LCD HDTVs is that it has none of the burn-in problems that Plasmas have and it doesn’t have gas that eventually fades picture brightness out over time like Plasmas do. It’s too early to say, but many have suggested that LCDS could last a very long time. Many experts believe LCD is a more viable format than Plasmas will eventually, with improvements in technology, become the new standard for HDTVs.

TUBE
Basically Tube HDTVs use the same technology of analog TVs(Standard tvs) with the exception that it displays at HD resolution.

The only positive spin I can say for tubes is that analog tube tvs have lasted up to 30 years. Which suggests that HDTV tub tvs can last this long. However, as far as picture clarity, brightness and color range, Tube HDTVs are severely beaten by Plasmas and LCDs.

DLP
Digital Light Projector or DLP is a projection screen HDTV that projects an image onto a screen. These HDTVs offer a cinema type experience to movie-goers in a TV box. DLP is also available as a stand-alone projector that can project onto your wall or a white screen.

The main issue with DLP is the rainbow strobe effect, when you blink, often times you will see the RGB overlays used to create an image. This can cause headaches and migraines to those who are sensitive. The other problem with DLP is the bulb use for projection. Once the bulb burns out, you need to replace it and it can be a costly expense.

What is 720p vs.1080p resolution?

You must have heard the technobabble by now, or seen it in your Sunday ads. 720P or 1080P HDTVs on sale! As I was explaining in the What is a HDTV question, HDTV’s come in different resolutions. At the entry level for HDTV is the 1280X720 resolution, or 720p HDTV. The ‘720’ stands for vertical resolution and the ‘p’ stands for progressive image scan. Progressive scan simply means resolution without black lines inserted between every other line of resolution. Standard TV inserts black lines in between each line of resolution. Progressive is much better in terms of picture quality.

Now 1080p, represents the higher end of HDTVs and can display a much higher resolution display at 1920X1080p. Again, the ‘p’ stands for progressive and the ‘1080’ stands for the vertical lines of resolution. In a nutshell, 1080p HDTVs are the top of the line tvs, usually cost more, but delivery more in terms of superior picture quality.

What HDTV should I buy?

It depends on your budget and your willingness to prepare for the future. Currently HD Open Air broadcasts send a signal that is generally 720p resolution. This means should you buy a 720p HDTV, you will be set. However, in the coming years, especially after 2009, when the Federal mandate makes analog signals obsolete, all tv broadcasts will be 100% digital. This means that it is very likely that HDTV broadcasts will be ramped up to full resolution at 1080p.

If you have a 720p set, you will still receive a signal, but you will miss out on all that extra clarity of picture. Most likely, you will probably have to upgrade.

So it all depends on if you want to get in on the HDTV world at entry level, or at the high end and be prepared for the future. Either way you go, you can't go wrong because there’s never been a more affordable time to get an HDTV, with prices dropping and new and improved models being developed.

There is also the consideration for what type of HDTV to buy. Plasma, LCD, DLP or Tube. For answers to these questions, Click Here to see the section 'What types of HDTV exist' to learn the pros and cons of each.

Here at Optimum AVD, we have battle tested a large variety of brands and can confidently recommend and ideal model and brand for your needs and budget range. Stop by our showroom today for a demo.

What is this Federal 2009 Digital TV (DTV) transition I keep hearing about?

The switch from analog to digital broadcast television is referred to as the digital TV (DTV) transition. Congress has mandated that February 17, 2009 would be the last day for full-power television stations to broadcast in analog. Broadcast stations in all U.S. markets are currently broadcasting in both analog and digital. So you don’t have to wait to start watching digital TV, all current HDTV units have by a standard high definition compliant ATSC tuner that can receive digital TV broadcasts. After February 17, 2009, full power television stations will broadcast in digital only.

What does this mean for you? Time is running out, you will either have to buy a converter tuner to make your old tv be able to receive an extremely diminished and downgraded hd signal, or buy a new HDTV. The clock is ticking!

Home Audio 101

What the heck is home theater surround sound?

Home theater surround sound, in it simplest explanation is the re-creation of the sound experience in movie theaters. Surround sound refers to the application of multichannel audio to channels “surrounding” the audience, (generally the combination of left, right, center, left surround, right surround and back surround.). A low frequency unit called the subwoofer also works in coordination with the surround speakers to add visceral punch to low frequency sounds.

Surround sound was made mainstream with the release of the revolutionary Star Wars movie in 1979. Before this, surround sound existed in similar primitive formats, but was never fully realized and integrated into theaters until the popularity of Star Wars. Needless to say, Star Wars set a new standard for movie theater sound and the entertainment world has never looked back since.

Today, home theater surround sound systems are more affordable than ever. Advances in digital technology have improved home audio to a point where consumer products are almost as good or even better than movie theater sound.

If you’ve never experienced the power of a home theater system, we encourage you to stop by our world class showroom for a demonstration of what is possible.
We promise, you will not be disappointed.

What is the difference between 5.1 vs 7.1 surround sound?

This is really simple, depending on what you are looking at, the designation, 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1 stands for the number of speakers used in a surround sound spec. So 5.1 would equal 5 speakers (left, right, center, left surround, right surround) and the ‘.1’ designation counts as the subwoofer. So truthfully there are 6 speakers in 5.1, however, since the subwoofer is not a full-range speaker (it only deals with low frequencies) it’s not considered a full speaker.

The 6.1 spec is very similar to a 5.1, except that it contains an additional channel, for a rear speaker. The 7.1 spec, provides 2 rear surround speakers.

All in all, all specs are essentially surround sound, just different variations of it. Not too long ago, 5.1 surround was the standard, now 7.1 is the standard.

The only thing you need to know is that if you watch a dvd that has 5.1 surround, and you have a 7.1 system, your 2 rear surround speakers will be silent. How do you know if your dvd supports 7.1 surround? It should say Dolby Digital EX. The EX in this acronym stands for Extended, meaning a matrixed extra channel for the rear. You will be set.

Dolby vs DTS surround? What does it mean?

Dolby Laboratories started as a company in 1965. In the years since, Dolby labs has been instrumental in development audio technologies to enhance sound. One of their biggest developments was the introduction of Dolby Noise reduction, which is ubiquitous in every car’s cassette player. They were also instrumental in developing Stereo and eventually surround sound. While Dolby Labs develops new standards for sound technologies, it does not manufacturer any products, rather it licenses its technology to other manufacturers.

Dolby Labs is responsible for the common surround sound format of Dolby Digital.

DTS, also known as Digital Theater Systems is a company that started in 1991. One of the company’s main investors is none other than Steven Spielberg himself. At the time, Spielberg was concerned about the relatively archaic state of movie sound, which was primarily analog. Similarly Dolby was in the transition to developing a new digital format.

Both companies released competing specs for a new digital surround sound format. Without getting into too much background, all that you need to know that is both companies release surround sound, but in their own codecs and specs.

They both sound relatively the same, Dolby Digital and DTS, although many audiophiles claim that because DTS has a higher bit-rate, it has more dynamic range and sonic accuracy that Dolby Digital.

It is important to note that not all DVD’s contain a DTS soundtrack, you can tell easily by viewing a dvd’s specs on the back on the dvd’s box.

I don’t understand speakerwire, what does gauge mean?

For one thing, not all speakerwire is made the same and if you were planning on using the speakerwire that came with your system, you really shouldn’t, once you read this.

The mystery of speaker wires has remained elusive, except to those few enlightened audiophiles. The thicker a speakerwire is, the better it resists degradation, therefore it can go longer distances. The thinner a speakerwire is, the quicker the signal degrades and the shorter distance you can run it.

As far as gauges go, remember, the lower the gauge number, the thicker the wire and the less resistance your signal has. The higher gauge number, the more resistance your signal has and the more it is subject to degradation. Therefore, a lower number means you run that speaker wire longer distance than a higher number gauge. I know, sounds backwards, but it’s the standard. Use this handy chart to reference your wire:

Maximum Wire Lengths for TWO CONDUCTOR Copper Wire

Wire Gauge Size	2 ohm load	4 ohm load	6 ohm load	8 ohm load
22 AWG	3 feet max	6 feet max	9 feet max	12 feet max
20 AWG	5 feet max	10 feet max	15 feet max	20 feet max
18 AWG	8 feet max	16 feet max	24 feet max	32 feet max
16 AWG	12 feet max	24 feet max	36 feet max	48 feet max
14 AWG	20 feet max	40 feet max	60 feet **	80 feet **
12 AWG	30 feet max	60 feet **	90 feet **	120 feet **
10 AWG	50 feet max	100 feet **	150 feet **	200 feet **

* 50 feet is the maximum recommended length for normal line cord or copper wire. This length is more than adequate for most installations.

MOVIE FORMATS 101

Explain DVD to me?

In case you have been living under rock or stranded on a tropical island for the past 10 years DVD, or digital video disc, has taken the home entertainment world by storm, providing a rich digital format for watching movies. No longer are consumers relegated to use antiquated VHS tapes, which decompose and degrade over a number of viewings. DVD is a 100% digital storage format, meaning, continuous viewings of a dvd, do not degrade the quality of the picture or soundtrack.

A typical dvd is the same exact size and thickness of a cd(compact disc) and holds 6 times more data at 4.7 gigabytes single layer or 8.6 gigabytes dual layer. The data encoded in DVDs uses a specialized format, typically MPEG-2 for video and Dolby Digital (AC-3) for sound. The resolution of a DVD is standard 720X480(NTSC). Dvd’s can also be used in computers or gaming systems for storing video games or user data.

DVDs have completely eclipsed VHS and Laserdisc formats. However this monopoly will not last long as new high-definition formats are competing to provide HD quality movie playback for emerging HDTV consumers…

What is this HD-DVD vs. Bluray war about?

Just when it seemed entertainment media had reached an apex with dvds. The HDTV emerged and changed the game completely. HDTV’s higher than regular television resolution meant that movies could be viewed in almost 3 times more resolution or detail. The problem however is that current dvds have a lower resolution than HDTV.

As a result manufacturers have created upconversion dvd players, which will take a regular dvd and using special processing algorithums, upconvert a dvd’s 720X480 resolution to High Definition’s 1280X480(720p) or 1920X1080(1080p) resolutions.

But this is not without issues. Upconversion can only do so much, a true HD solution would be to have movies released in HD resolution to begin with.

This is where Blu-Ray and HD-DVD come in. For now, all you need to know is that Blu-Ray is represented by Sony and HD-DVD is supported by Toshiba. There was an impasse in regards to how a next generation format should be handled, and the two camps formed.

As it stands, it appears that Blu-Ray will be the winner as Warner Bros recently pulled out of HD-DVD’s camp. The blow has crippled HD-DVD’s camp and it looks like other movie studios are following suit to become exclusively Blu-Ray.

Currently Blu-Ray players retail around $400 and Blu-Ray movies at about $29.99 retail. Expect these prices to drop substantially as the format takes hold of the consumer market, which is rapidly upgrading to HDTV sets. The Blu-Ray format provides a true HD experience with powerful HD resolution up to 1080p. It is set to become the next generation format and just as common as DVD in the years to come.

So what do we think? If you want to get a next generation format, choose a Blu-Ray player. That would be our safe bet. Purchasing a HD-DVD player right now might be a costly mistake.

Of course, you can always wait until the battle is duked out.

Upconversion DVD players

Until the high-definition format wars play out, one of the most popular alternatives has been to purchase an unconversion dvd player which can take a regular dvd and upconvert the resolution to high definition. While upconversion players are becoming more and more common, they are not of equal conversion quality.

To under stand this, we have to take a look at your HDTV. It’s a little known fact that HDTVs do in fact, upconvert any source of input to their native resolution. What this means is that a regular dvd player can upconvert. However, letting your HDTV do the upconversion can put extra strain on your tv and at the same time, the processing might not be as accurate or clean.

Having a separate upconversion dvd player, will offload the work to the player and send the upconverted signal directly into the tv. But as I mentioned, no upconversion players are the same. In fact, depending on the brand and the price you pay for it, you will have to spend at least $80 and up to get a decent one. The trick has to do with the image processing chip. If you buy a cheap upconversion player, it will likely have a terrible processing chip and your upconversion picture quality won’t look that great.

Don’t forget, that no matter how great the image quality you get from upconverting dvds it, it still pales in comparison to media that is already at native HD resolution, such as blu-ray discs.

At Optimum we have tested all of the best brands and know the models that can deliver the results you seek. Visit one of our showrooms today to view a demonstration.

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