1080i

1080i means 1,080 horizontal lines are used to create your TV picture. The i stands for interlaced scanning which means the picture is formed on the screen by scanning in two consecutive passes where odd numbered lines are displayed in one pass, and the even numbered lines in the pass that follows.

1080p

Also known as "Full HD", 1080p means 1,080 horizontal lines are used to create your TV picture — that’s a lot! The format is currently being used to produce Blu-ray discs, but not TV broadcasts. The p stands for progressive scanning, a technique that scans and displays all of the lines at the same time in one single pass on the screen.

720p

720p means 720 horizontal lines are used to create your TV picture. The p stands for progressive scanning, a technique that scans and displays all of the lines at the same time in one single pass on the screen.

Blu-ray

Blu-ray is an optical disc format for storing digital information, similar to CD or DVD but with sufficent capacity for high definition video.

Component Video

Also known as Y-Pb-Pr, Y-Cb-Cr, YUV and Analog Component Video — Component Video refers to a video signal that is transmitted in separate colour components.

DVI (Digital Visual Interface)

Digital Visual Interface is a video interface standard for delivering high quality video to digital display devices such as flat panel TVs. DVI does not carry an audio signal like HDMI does.

DVR (Digital Video Recorder)

See PVR

Full HD

A marketing label that is usually used in reference to the 1080p standard. More about Full HD

HD (High Definition)

High Definition refers to an increase in quality and resolution.

HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection)

HDCP is the industry-wide content protection standard that content producers use to enable you to see their programming after it travels across HDMI or DVI connections.

HD DVD (High Definition DVD)

HD DVD is an optical disc format for storing digital information, similar to CD or DVD but with sufficent capacity for high definition video.

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface)

High-Definition Multimedia Interface is a connector interface for delivering high quality digital video and audio. HDMI is the de facto standard digital interface for HD.

HD TV (or HDTV, High Definition Television)

HD TV is a digital television system that introduces greater quality and resolution (typically 720p, 1080i and 1080p) than traditional television systems.

HD TV equipment

Can include tuner, cables, receivers.

HD TV surround sound

HD can use the Dolby Digital™ 5.1 sound specification to deliver cinema–style surround sound.

Interlaced scan

Interlaced scanning requires the picture to be formed on the screen by scanning in two passes. The first pass (odd numbered lines), leaves blank spaces between lines, which are filled in by the second pass (even numbered lines).

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)

A liquid crystal display is a thin flat display device. An LCD screen is made up of coloured pixels in front of a light source — by varying the opacity of the pixels, different amounts of light are allowed through.

Pixel

A pixel is a single dot in an image display. Pixels are rendered in a line horizontally with many lines down the screen (720 or 1,080 lines in the case of HD TV), with an image resulting. More pixels in a given amount of space produce a higher resolution, meaning a clearer image.

Plasma display

Plasma is a display technology for thin flat display devices usually used for large TV screens. Plasma screen pixels are small cells sandwiched between two layers of glass that contain gases, which when electrically charged excite phospors in the cell to emit light.

Progressive scan

Progressive scan displays all of the lines of the image sequentially in a single pass.

PVR (Personal Video Recorder)

A personal video recorder is a device that records video in a digital format on a hard drive, amongst other features. FOXTEL's iQ set-top box provides PVR functionality in addition to its cable/satellit tuner functions. FOXTEL's iQHD will provide PVR functionality to support HD video.

Resolution

Resolution refers to the amount of detail in a video display. More pixels mean higher resolution and a crisper, clearer image.

SD TV (Standard-Definition Television)

SD TV refers to older television system standards with a lower resolution (576 lines at most) than is available with HD.

STU (Set-Top-Unit)

Also known as a set-top box (STB), an STU is a device that receives an external source signal and turns the signal into content to be displayed on a television set.

Widescreen

Widescreen refers to the aspect ratio (horizontal-vertical proportions) of modern television screens. The HD content format is widescreen, in a 16:9 proportion.

Vistron 19 inch LCD TV with Freeview (DB19-SD) save £20

The perfect choice of television for anyone looking for a TV that's going to be versatile for any room without compromising on size and style. This TV comes with built in Freeview that means you have access to hundreds of extra channels. What more can you want? Other then a bargain price of course.

Television Picture Features

* Integrated digital (Freeview).
* 19in widescreen TV
* Resolution 1440 x 900 pixels.
* Brightness 300 cd/m2.
* Contrast 750:1.
* Viewing angle 176/176 degrees.
* Progressive scan.

Connectivity

* 1 SCART sockets.
* PC input socket
* Composite.
* Headphone socket
* AV socket.


Sound Features

* 2 x 3w RMS power output.


Freeview Features

* Digitally interactive.
* Digital text.
* Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) subtitles available.
* Auto setup.
* Auto scan for new channels.
* Now and next electronic programme guide (EPG).
* 7 day electronic programme guide (EPG).

You save £300.00! Panasonic Viera 37" TX-37LZD85 HD 1080p Freeview Widescreen LCD TV

Now: £849.99
RRP: £1149.99 | You save: £300.00 (26%) 

• Please be aware that this item will be delivered via a courier and will require a signature. Please contact customer service team with a daytime contact number.
• Main Specifications:
• Tuner Integrated: Yes
• DVB Digital Tuner: Yes
• Tuning System: PLL synthesizer 100-position auto-search tuner
• CATV Compatibility: UK
• Broadcast Stereo Reception: NICAM (FM)
• Teletext Reception: 1500P TOP/FASTEXT Level 2.5
• Receiving System: PAL -I, DVB
• Receiving System (AV input): PAL-60, NTSC, M-NTSC
• Screen Size: 37" (94 cm) diagonal
• Screen Aspect: 16 : 9 Wide
• Panel: IPS-alpha Full-HD LCD Panel
• Contrast (Dynamic): 10,000:1
• Viewing Angle: 178 degree
• Progressive Scan
• Number of Pixels: 2,073,600 (1,920 x 1,080) pixels
• Applicable PC signals: XGA (SXGA compressed)
• Motion Focus Technology
• 100 Hz Motion Picture Pro Y (Motion Picture Pro2)
• Intelligent Scene Controller
• x.v. Colour
• SD Memory Card Slot(SDHC Compatible)
• Pedestal Included

With 50Hz video signal input, Motion Picture Pro 2 creates 100 frames/1 sec from 50 frames/1 sec. This increases the frame count to allow natural frame-to-frame transitions, which results in smooth motion images with high resolution. With Motion Picture Pro 2, the VIERA LCD also detects areas with motion and activates backlight blinking for those areas only, greatly enhancing resolution. Smooth reproduction of movie images a cinematic effect is achieved to preserve the quality of images that are recorded onto movie film at 24 frames per second.

Images are beautiful even when viewers are sitting at an angle to the TV. The IPS Alpha panel has a wide viewing angle, so the images are crisp and clear even when viewed from an angle. The same high-quality images can be enjoyed from any place in the living room.

This kind of expressive power will thrill science-fiction fans even dark scenes are elaborately detailed. Improved panel contrast combines with the I.S.C.(Intelligent Scene Controller) to achieve a high, 10,000:1 contrast ratio.

The term "x.v.Colour" was proposed as a designation for products compatible with xvYCC, which is an international standard that allows enhanced colour reproduction with a wider colour gamut than before. The crumpling of the fabric is clearly seen and the 3D effect is effectively expressed. The unique texture of the fleece-type material is much clearer to see.

In addition to brilliant picture quality, VIERA models offer the easy operation made possible by VIERA Link and the SD card slot. VIERA Link lets you operate other connected Panasonic AV components using only the VIERA TV's remote control unit. The majority of the VIERA line-up is equipped with a slot for large-capacity SDHC cards. You can view a slideshow of your photos on VIERA's big beautiful screen just by simply remove the SD memory card from your digital still camera, and slip it in to the slot.

Samsung 32 Inch HD Ready LCD TV - LE32A436T1DXXU save £170.00

This latest Samsung 32" LCD TV replaces the award winning (if unforgettably named) LE32R87BDX.

With improved specifications both in terms of brightness and contrast ratio, this is sure to rack up awards of its own before too long.

With a full quota of connectivity options including 3 HDMI ports there shouldnt be anything you cant connect to this baby.

For great visuals from a top class brand at an outstanding price, order one of these today.

Features: Connections Wall Mounting

Type - LCD TV
Diagonal Size - 32 in - Widescreen
Diagonal Size - 32" - widescreen
Display Format - 720p
Image Aspect Ratio - 16:9
TV Tuner - 1x analogue, 1x digital
Resolution - 1366 x 768
Sound Output Mode - SRS TruSurround
Speaker System - 2 speakers
Dimensions (WxDxH) - 797 mm x 79 mm x 531 mm
Dimensions (WxDxH) - 79.6 cm x 25.2 cm x 58 cm - with stand
Colour - Black
Connection Types - Component, composite, HDMI, S-Video, SCART

Medion 32 HD Ready LCD TV with Teletext Save: £140.00

Join the high definition revolution with this impressive 32" HD Ready LCD TV from Medion. Sleek, stylish and packed with state-of-the-art features, this TV really offers outstanding value.

Features

Wide format flatscreen LC TV
HD Ready
Excellent image quality
4 integrated games
Double tuner to view 2 TV programs simultaneously
Multi-picture function (displays 12 programs, 1 moved + 11 freezed)
TOP Teletext with 2100-pages memory
HDMI interface with HDCP decoding
Picture in Picture
Dynamic swap function
Systems: PAL/SECAM/NTSC
Various sound modes
Built-in 2-way speakers: 10 watt RMS

Accessories

Power cord
Antenna cable
Scart cable
Scart adapter
15-pin D-sub cable
YUV to 15-pin D-Sub cable

Dimensions

Without stand: 820mm x 600mm x 1400mm
With stand: 820mm x 600 x 320mm

 

Beko 17"Widescreen LCD Television save £70.00

This 17" widescreen TFT-LCD WXGA TV from Beko provides the very latest in home entertainment technology. With 16.2 millions colours and an incredible 1280 x 768 pixels resolution, there is simply no finer picture to be had. Combine these high performance specs with the 2 x 3 stereo sound and environmentally responsible low energy consumption and you have what amounts to crystal clear TV perfection.

Features



16.2 million colours
1280 x 768 resolution
400 cd/m2 brightness
450:1 contrast ratio
multi system tuner
2x3 W stereo sound
Wide viewing angles (H:140/V:110)
Fastext/teletext
Graphical based OSD (22 languages)
Low energy consumption
Digital comb filter
ATS
Programmable on/off
Graphic equalizer
Connections: scarts (x2), A/V in, S-video in, audio out, headphones VGA (PC)

Plasma and LCD TVs have finally hit their stride. Major electronics stores have all but phased out the old CRT televisions, relegating them to the unseen corners. Meanwhile, hordes of consumers are forced to make choices between two new technologies that they know little of. Of course you have the helpful sales associates giving out their advice. But without background information they may be able to take you for a ride. They may sell you something not quite right for you, or may forget to mention possible alternatives if they don't carry them.

So, below we have created an LCD TV versus plasma comparison guide to help navigate the differences between the two technologies. We have also included a column for front projectors, which are an option frequently ignored by major electronics retailers.

Comparison	Plasma televisions	LCD televisions	Front Projectors	Advantage
Screen Size	Average screen sizes range from 32 inches to 63 inches (measured on the diagonal). Larger plasmas, like a 103 inch unit from Panasonic, are in production, but are still prohibitively expensive for consumer use. Panasonic has announced plans to release a 150-inch plasma display by 2010.	Average screen sizes range from 13 inches to 65 inches (measured on the diagonal). As with plasma, there are larger LCD TVs made, like a 108 inch display which is to be released in later this year (2008) by Sharp, but they are not readily available or affordable at the consumer level.	Typical screen sizes from as small as 40 inches to as large as 300 inches (measured on the diagonal). Projectors do not have a fixed image size so most projectors list their screen size as a range (i.e. 40-300 inches. Most buyers opt for sizes from 76-inches to 120-inches if they purchase a screen. Optimally the image should not be over 300-inches.	Front projectors are able to create the largest images by far. Projectors are also the only option which is not a fixed size (meaning your screen size can change if desired) and projectors are also more portable than an LCD or Plasma. Plasma and LCD TVs are comparable in size now with the maximum sizes over 60-inches. Maximum recommended projector image sizes are around 300-inches.
Viewing Angle	Up to 178°. Plasma images do not suffer from the same degradation at higher viewing angles that LCD TVs do because of the nature of the technology.	Up to 175°. LCD TVs were originally designed for a one user experience, as a computer monitor. As the applications for the technology grew for larger to larger displays and audiences , an issue with viewing angles emerged. Although the LCD TV can be viewed from up to 176 degrees, there is a "sweet spot" which will produce brighter, higher contrast images.	Viewing angles are not an issue with front projectors because the light source is coming from in front of the screen, and not from behind. The surface on which you project (screen or wall surface) may have a slight impact on viewing angles.	Unlike rear projection TVs, front projectors do not have an issue with viewing angles, so they have the advantage here. Between LCD and Plasma; Plasma TVs have the advantage, but by a small margin. However, your viewing experience won't be ideal at 160 or 175 degree angles for any technology.
Screen Refresh Rates / Pixel response time	Plasma displays refresh and handle rapid movements in video about as well as CRT televisions, which is about the standard most viewers expect.	LCD TVs were originally designed for static data display, and not moving video. Therefore refresh rates had to be improved. LCD TVs with refresh rates below 16 ms or lower (5-15 ms) show very few noticeable artifacts. LCD TVs are now available with refresh rates specified by manufacturers as low as 5ms.	Projectors designed for home theater use will handle video better than a projector designed for business (though there are some good cross-over projectors on the market). Response time is not usually specified by projector manufactuers so it is difficult to compare directly to LCD and plasmas by comparing specs.	Plasma still specs faster than LCD for pixel response time, however LCD has closed the gap significantly in the past 3 years or so. For most consumers, projectors, plasma and LCD displays will have sufficient response times. For video gamers, or others to whom instantaneous response is a must, the lower the 'ms' spec...the better.
Burn-in or Stuck Pixels	Plasma TVs can suffer from burn-in produced by static images. After extended periods, stationary images "burn in" and produce an after-image ghost which remains permanently on the screen. With technologies such as 'pixel orbitor,' new plasma TVs have addressed burn-in and significantly reduced the issues of older models.	LCD TVs do not suffer from burn-in, but can have a "retained pixel charge" which may also produce ghosting. Stuck pixels are also possible with an LCD display.	Projectors can suffer from dead pixels, though there are some manufacturers with a 'zero dead pixel' warranty. The bigger concern for projector buyers is lamp life. After long term use, the projected image will not be as bright as it was over the first few hundred hours. Lamps are replaceable, however, and cost between $200 - $400.	There is no clear winner here. Manufacturers of each technology have worked hard to minimize issues. If stuck pixels or burn in are major concerns for you, check the manufacturer warranty for their return or repair policies. Some manufactuers offer a 'zero dead pixel policy' and others will repair or replace products with pixels out in the 'sweet spot' of your picture.
Product Life-span	Plasma TVs have a reported half life of 30,000 to 60,000 hours. Half-life is the time it takes the lamp to fade to half its original brightness. Panasonic recently reported life span's approaching 100,000 hours.	LCD TVs have a backlight that is specified to last between 30,000 and 60,000 hours. LCD TVs also have replaceable backlights, but the expense of replacing one when the time comes may be greater than simply replacing the entire TV.	Projectors have lamps that last up to 5000 hours (usually when opperated in a low-power mode). Projector lamps are replaceable, and cost up to aproximately $400. Projector lamps can be changed more than once. A projector may not be the best choice for everyday viewing, but it is the best value by cost per viewing inch for a home theater.	Both Plasma and LCD technology should more than adequately satisfy most consumers. The average CRT TV (the kind most of us have at home) has a half-life of around 25,000 hours. If the average American household watches an average of four to six hours of television a day, even a 30,000 hour backlight would give you over 16 years of use. By then you'll be enjoying your new 'Holodeck.' A video projector has a shorter lamp life, but the lamp can be replaced multiple times. Projectors are better suited for a dedicated home theater than as the sole display for a household. Projectors are the best value by cost per viewing inch.
Weight	Plasma displays are fairly heavy, and may need additional supports to be mounted onto a wall.	LCD TVs weigh less than comparably sized plasma TVs.	Single chip DLP and 3LCD projectors typically weigh between 10 - 20 lbs. They can be shipped for less than an LCD or Plasma TV over 19-inches in most cases.	Projectors are lighter and less bulky to ship and to install than an LCD or Plasma TV. Projection screens are bulky and large however. LCD TVs are second least heavy, followed by plasma.
Durability	Plasmas are somewhat fragile making them tricky to ship and install. Unlike the commercials where plasmas are mounted on the ceiling, plasmas are best installed by a professional, and should be installed on a wall that can bear a good deal of weight. However, recent improvements to plasma screens have made them significantly more durable and lighter weight.	Somewhat more durable than older plasmas. End users can easily mount an LCD TV themselves if desired, although LCD TVs should still be shipped with special care, and the screen itself should be cleaned with a streak free cleaner.	Projection surfaces vary, but a wall or screen are obviously less fragile than an LCD or Plasma TV. Screens can be washed and walls can be repainted. The projector itself is also as durable as either a Plasma or LCD TV.	A projector screen is durable and cleanable, and walls can be painted. Projectors are also very durrable. Because of this, projectors win this battle, with LCD TVs in second place, followed by plasma.
Shipping	Due to their fragile nature, plasma TVs need to be shipped by specialty carriers. Overnight or fast delivery options are not recommended. Special shipping methods and their heavier weight add to higher shipping costs.	Shipping LCD TVs is not difficult, and is not as expensive as shipping plasma displays.	Single chip DLP and 3LCD projectors typically weigh between 10 - 20 lbs. They can usually be shipped for less than most LCD or Plasma TVs over 19-inches.	Projectors are cheaper and safer to ship overall. If you purchase a screen, that will add significantly to the cost of shipping. In some cases, whether an LCD, plasma, or projector, the shipping will be paid by the reseller. Plasma's are typically heavier and may require that you ship them on a pallet, adding to the cost of shipping.
Installation	Plasmas are heavier, use more power, and run hotter than LCD TVs, and therefore require more planning when mounting them. Plasmas are generally best installed by professionals.	End users can easily install LCD TVs themselves, or can use them just as they use a traditional TV using a stand.	Depending on how polished you want your home theater to be, a projector can be very easy to set up, or can be a longer and more involved installation. Projectors are lightweight, and can be removed from an installed location and used in other applications - like a make shift outdoor theater.	LCD TVs are easier to install than plasmas because they weigh less. Most TVs sold in the consumer market will come with a stand. Projectors are a more complicated installation than either a plasma or LCD TV when they are ceiling mounted. TVs with a stand and projectors set on a table top require similar efforts to set up.
Brightness / Contrast	Plasma TVs report higher brightness and contrast levels than LCDs. Under ideal conditions (no ambient light) this is a true advantage of plasma technology, because LCD TVs are backlit and therefore light must be blocked to create blacks. Plasmas have individual pixels that either on or off, creating deeper blacks and better contrast.	LCD TVs can often look better in 'real-world' situations. Plasmas are made with a special glass surface that can reflect light, which dulls the brightness and contrast of the image. LCD TVs reflect very little light, allowing them to maintain levels in well-lit rooms.	Projectors now have contrast ratios of 50,000:1 and higher, making them nearly equal by specification to many LCD and plasma TVs. However, with ambient light in a room, contrast and brightness can be significantly impacted. For best contrast that rivals LCD and plasma, low light or no light environments are best. Different specifications are used to measure brightness in a projector, so it is difficult to compare directly.	Just about any LCD TV or plasma will satisfy the expectations of most consumers need for brightness and contrast. Videophiles will look for the hightest contrast ratios and will likely ignore the brightness specs on an LCD or plasma TV. Newer home theater projectors (1000 ANSI lumens or brighter) should also satisfy in any controlled lighting environment. Projectors are not ideal for rooms with a lot of ambient light unless they have more than 2000 lumens of brightness.
Thickness	As thin as 3 inches deep.	As thin as 2 inches deep.	Projectors are simply projecting light onto a surface, so on a screen or wall the image will not take up much space. The projector itself will need to be placed on a flat surface or mounted out of the way.	The projected image is (obviously) very thin, and create a truly 'flat' image. LCDs TVs and plasma's are just about equal to each other in thickness (around 2-3 inches, and for most this is not an issue. But a projector is the solution that can be easily stored away out of site (using a retractable or portable screen).
Performance at High Altitude	High altitudes can affect the performance of plasma displays because the gas held inside each pixel is stressed, and has to work harder to perform. Some manufacturers make plasmas that are specifically designed for high-altitudes, but they may be priced higher than standard models.	LCD TVs are not affected by high altitudes.	Most projectors are only minimally affected by altitude. The one difficulty with projectors will be a more active fan, which may make the projector run slightly louder.	LCD TVs or projectors have the advantage. New plasmas and projectors have evolved with new methods of dealing with the altitude issues. Ask your sales person for details if you live in a high altitude.

Power Consumption is another comparison of interst to consumers. LCD TVs typically spec lower for power consumption than an equivalent size plasma. Projector power consumption varies more from unit to unit, with brighter conference room projectors requiring more power than smaller portable projectors. In November of 2008, new Energy Star ratings will be upgraded from 1998 standards. Many people are not aware that TVs go into a "stand by mode" rather than turning off completely. In this mode, energy is still being drawn. New standards will include power consumption in stand-by modes for a more accurate measure of energy efficiency. (source)

We hope this information has been helpful in your search for the perfect display technology. Go now and shop!

BUSH LCD15W08DVDHD LCDW08DVDHD BLACK LCD TELEVISION save 22%

15 inch screen
Analogue tuner
1024 x 768 Screen Resolution
HD Ready
450:1 Contrast ratio
1 HDMI Connection
Built In DVD Player
1 Scart Socket
350 cd/m2 Brightness
39 cm Visible Screen
WidescreenSleep Timer
Remote control
Teletext
Headphone socket
38.10 cm high
48.26 cm wide
7.62 cm deep
Black Colour
1 year parts warranty
1 year labour warranty
1080i Max HD Resolution

DAEWOO DSL19V1WD 19" DIGITAL BLACK LCD TELEVISION save £36.71

DAEWOO DSL19V1WD 19" DIGITAL BLACK LCD TELEVISION save £36.71
19 inch screen
Integrated Digital (Freeview)
Widescreen
Piano Black Colour1 year parts warranty
1 year labour warranty
720p Max HD Resolution
Widescreen Screen Type

While choosing between a LCD TV and a Plasma TV, we are comparing between the two competing technologies. Both of them have similar features like super colour filled pictures and bright crystal-clear images. And, both come in similar packages i.e. 3.5 inch depth flat screen casing. Above all the price and size are the two considerations which is rapidly becoming a non-issue. As you can find now the LCD TVs are now being made in the larger sizes with competing prices of plasma TV.

Despite so many similarities, you will find differences between the two technologies, as they deliver the image to the viewer. In the case of a plasma technology, it consists hundreds of thousands of pixel cells which allow electric pulses i.e. stemming from electrodes), which excites rare naturally gases like xenon and neon-causing it to glow and produce light. This light illuminates the proper balance of green, red, or blue phosphors which is useful in displaying the proper colour sequence from the light .This is how the plasma TV works.

All the flat-panel LCD screens are placed in the heart of a projector. The LCD displays comes with the same technological background. Here the matrix of thin-film transistors (TFT) supplies voltage to the liquid-crystal-filled cells which are sandwiched between two sheets of glass. When it is hit with an electrical charge, the crystals untwist to an exact degree to filter white light generated by a lamp behind the screen. which is meant for the flat panel TVs or for projecting through a small LCD chip.
As far as LCD TVs are concerned, it uses the florescent backlighting to produce images. So, LCD TVs require considerably less power to operate than its plasma counterpart. The extra pixels and the production process of LCD TVs cost more money to produce. So, you would find the LCD TV to be expensive as compared to the Plasma TVs.

xpert4u, portal of electronic items provide digital tv, lcd tv and plasma tv with tv aerial.

Samsung LE32A436T1D hd ready lcd idtv save 4%

This superb 32in HD Ready Widescreen TV ticks all the boxes Whether as a high end device for gamers, or as a second TV - with this LCD TV you'll have all the joy.
Item No.: LE32A436T1
32in Widescreen LCD TV
1366 x 768 resolution
HD Ready
Integrated Freeview tuner
SRS TruSurround sound
20 Watts audio output
8500:1 contrast ratio
Sleep Timer
Front AV sockets
Fastext
3 x HDMI connections 
x SCART sockets
Television buying guide
Electrical Delivery Information
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Legislation

Samsung LE32A456C LCD TV Save £10!

 

Samsung LE32A456C LCD TV Save £10
Quick Specs:
Samsung 32 inch HD Ready LCD TV
3x HDMI inputs
Freeview DVB tuner for digital channels 

Samsung LE32A456C (LE32A457) LCD Television
32 inch (82 cm) 16/9, "HD ready" Freeview, HDMI x3
Samsung invites you into the world of high definition graphics with the LE32A456. The LE32A456 includes three HDMI sockets, two scart sockets and a VGA input for superb connectivity options, enabling you to hook up a Blu-ray player or a DVD recorder. The LE32A456 also doubles up as a computer monitor,...

Resolution is the main reason why HDTV looks so much better than standard television. On a high-def TV displaying a high-def source, a million or more pixels combine to create images that appear sharper and more realistic than TV ever has before. Resolution isn't the be-all and end-all of picture quality, however, and its numerous, well, numbers, can be incredibly intimidating at first. In this article we'll try to demystify HDTV resolution and help you cut through the hype that surrounds all of those numbers.

How important is resolution?
Not as important as you might think. According to the Imaging Science Foundation, a group that consults for home-theater maufacturers and trains professional video calibrators, the most important aspect of picture quality is contrast ratio, the second most important is color saturation, and the third is color accuracy. Resolution comes in a distant fourth, despite being easily the most-talked-about HDTV spec today.

In other words, once you get to high-definition, most people are perfectly satisfied with the sharpness of the picture. All other things being equal--namely contrast and color--HDTV looks more or less spectacular on just about any high-def television regardless of its size or the HDTV signal's resolution itself. The leap from normal TV to HDTV is so big that additional leaps in resolution--from high-def to higher-def, let's say--are tiny by comparison.

Nonetheless the HDTV landscape is littered with resolution discussions, in regard to both sources and displays, so a little knowledge of how they interact is a good thing.

Native resolution: The fix is in
For the rest of this article, we'll be talking about fixed-pixel displays. A fixed-pixel display is any HDTV or monitor that uses pixels to produce an image, including flat-panel LCD and plasma screens as well as rear-projection microdisplays and front projectors that use DLP, LCD, or LCoS technology. We'll ignore non-fixed-pixel displays; namely, direct-view and rear-projection CRTs, because they treat incoming resolutions differently than their fixed-pixel cousins do--since they don't use discrete pixels, their specs are much more difficult to pin down.

All fixed-pixel displays have a native resolution spec that tells you how many pixels the display actually has. Native resolution is the absolute limit on the amount of detail you'll see.

Fixed-pixel displays follow a few basic rules:

• No matter the resolution of the source material, whether VHS, DVD, or HDTV, a fixed-pixel display will always convert, or scale, it to fit its native resolution.
• If the incoming source has more pixels than the display's native resolution, you will lose some visible detail and sharpness, though often what you're left with still looks great.
• If the incoming source has fewer pixels than the native resolution, you're not getting any extra sharpness from the television's pixels.
  
  

HDTV source resolutions
If you read those three axioms closely, you'll see that source is everything with HDTV. Or, as some unknown wag once said, "Garbage in, garbage out." There are two main HD resolutions in use today by HD broadcasters and other sources: 1080i and 720p. One is not necessarily better than the other; 1080i has more lines and pixels, but 720p is a progressive-scan format that should deliver a smoother image that stays sharper during motion. Another format is also becoming better known: 1080p, which combines the superior resolution of 1080i with the progressive-scan smoothness of 720p. True 1080p content is extremely scarce, however, and none of the major networks have announced 1080p broadcasts. The term 1080p today appears mostly in reference to the displays' native resolution, not the source.

Source resolution name	Resolution in pixels	HDTV?	Progressive-scan?	Wide-screen?	Networks/sources
1080p	1,920x1,080	Yes	Yes	Yes	Blu-ray and future HD-DVD players; PlayStation 3
1080i	1,920x1,080	Yes	No	Yes	Includes CBS, NBC, PBS, DiscoveryHD/ Xbox 360
720p	1,280x720	Yes	Yes	Yes	ABC, Fox, ESPNHD
480p	852x480	No	Yes	Yes	Fox wide-screen; progressive-scan DVD players
Regular TV	Up to 480 lines	No	No	No	All

Despite the obvious difference in pixel count, 720p and 1080i both look great. In fact, unless you have a very large television and excellent source material, you'll have a hard time telling the difference between any of the HDTV resolutions. It's especially difficult to tell the difference between 1080i and 1080p sources. The difference between DVD and HDTV should be visible on most HDTVs, but especially on smaller sets, it's not nearly as drastic as the difference between standard TV and HDTV.

HDTV display resolution
Now that we've considered the source, let's look at the televisions. As we mentioned above, all fixed-pixel HDTVs scale the incoming resolutions to fit the available pixels, throwing away information if they have fewer pixels and interpolating information if they have more pixels than the source.

Native resolution ¹	Commonly called ²	Meets definition of high-def? ³	Frequency	Typical TV types
1,920x1,080	1080p	Yes	Rare but getting more common especially in larger TVs	Flat-panel LCD; DLP, LCD, and LCoS projection; very high-end plasma
1,366x768	768p	Yes	Very common in all screen sizes	Flat-panel LCD; 50-inch plasma
1,280x720	720p	Yes	Common in rear-projection but not flat-panels	DLP, LCD, and LCoS projection
1,024x768	HDTV plasma	Yes	The most common plasma resolution	37- and 42-inch plasma
852x480	EDTV plasma	No	Increasingly rare	37- and 42-inch plasma
640x480	VGA	No	Increasingly rare	Small LCD TVs

Technically speaking, all of these numbers are accurate and useful, but don't put too much stock in them. In the real world, it's difficult to tell the difference between native resolutions once you get into high-def. For example, despite the fact that a 37-inch LCD with "only" 1,366x768 pixels has to throw away a good deal of information to display a 1080i football game on CBS, you'd be hard-pressed to see more detail on a similar 37-inch LCD with 1,920x1,080 resolution.

The truth about 1080p
In the last couple of years, there has been a big influx of HDTVs with 1080p native resolution, which typically cost a good deal more than their lower-resolution counterparts. But as we've been saying all along, once you get to high-def, the difference between resolutions becomes much more difficult to appreciate. We've done side-by-side tests between two 46-inch LCD HDTVs, one with 1366x768 resolution and the other with 1080p resolution, using the same 1080i source material, and it was extremely difficult for us to see any difference. It becomes even more difficult at smaller screen sizes or farther seating distances--say, more than 1.5 times the diagonal measurement of the screen. We've reviewed a 37-inch 1080p LCD, for example, where it was impossible to see the separation between horizontal lines at farther than 45 inches away.

Here are a few reviews where we compared 1080p displays directly to lower-resolution models:

• Sharp LC-46D62U (46-inch 1080p LCD)
• Vizio GV46L HDTV (46-inch 1366x768 LCD)
• Westinghouse LvM-47W1 (47-inch 1080p LCD)
• Samsung LN-S4096D (40-inch 1080p LCD)
• Sony KDL-40XBR2 (40-inch 1080p LCD)
• Sharp LC-37D90U (37-inch 1080p LCD)

We're not telling you to ignore 1080p HDTVs. They technically do deliver more detail, which can enhance the viewing experience for more eagle-eyed viewers. Also, many manufacturers build other picture-quality benefits, such as better contrast and/or color, into their 1080p HDTVs simply because those sets are the high-end models. And given the continuing march of technology, we expect more and more 1080p models to become available at lower and lower prices. Today, however, the premium for 1080p is still pretty steep, and unless you're getting a very large set, say 50 inches or more, we don't recommend basing a buying decision on whether or not the television has 1080p native resolution.

Panasonic TH-37PX8B 37 inch HD Ready Plasma TV, Less than Half Price

HD Models with Superb Image Quality and Advanced Networking Capabilities (2 HDMI terminals) 

Every image is expressive from bright scenes, such as scorching desert landscapes, to dark cave scenes. Contrast is enhanced by the new Real Black Drive system (a pre-discharge control system) and a higher base luminance from improvements made to the panel production process. The high contrast creates deep, robust blacks and reproduces scenes with a delicate balance of light and shadow. 

You can enjoy beautiful cinematic reproduction of movie images. The images that are recorded onto movie film at 24 frames per second (fps) are reproduced at two times that speed by 24p Playback. This achieves film-like reproduction than with the 2:3 processing method. 

3,072 Equivalent Steps of Gradation lends natural expression to images such as sunsets. VIERA´s large colour space covers 110% of the HDTV colour standard. This wide gamut has been achieved by an advanced panel structure and a newly developed filter, which produce richer, more vivid colouring.
In addition to brilliant picture quality, VIERA models offer the easy operation made possible by VIERA Link and the SD card slot. VIERA Link lets you operate other connected Panasonic AV components using only the VIERA TV´s remote control unit.

Picture/Display
37 " Diagonal Screen Size (Inch)
94 cm Visible Diagonal Screen Size
16:9 Aspect Ratio
10,000:1 Contrast Ratio
Free Degree Viewing Angle
NTSC, PAL, SECAM Compatible
Digital Noise Reduction
0.001 (ms) Screen Response Rate
1080i resolution
1024x768 pixels
720p resolution
3d combfilter
24P (Frames Per Second) Playback 

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