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Changes, Changes, Changes

TV’s used to be the simplest gadget to buy, quite reliable and relatively inexpensive. All that has changed. Now we face the questions of when to buy and what. At the moment, the best decision might be to act like a loosing sports team and "wait until next year", i.e. Fall 2008. There are too many changes still taking place.

What are the changes?

• Date: February 17, 2009

This is the biggest change. It is the date that the US Congress has set for all television stations broadcasting at full-power to transmit digital-only signals. Whoops! That means the old standard analog sets will no longer work unless -

1. you buy a box for each set that converts the signal to analog, or
2. your cable or satellite company, who are still allowed to distribute the analog signal, converts the signal for you, or
3. you buy a new digital TV.

• Definition: HDTV

Because this digital signal can carry more content, the TV manufacturers have been moving toward the technology to use it, called High Definition TV (HDTV). "Definition" means how refined the picture is on the screen for sharp, crisp details.

TV pictures are composed of a number of lines, and are written onto the screen in two passes (interlaced) or one pass (progressive). The definition for digital TV currently progresses from -

1. SDTV - standard definition that shows 480 interlaced lines, labeled (640 x 480i),
2. EDTV - enhanced definition that shows 480 or 576 progressive lines, labeled (720 x 480p) or (720 x 576p),
3. HDTV - high (enough for smaller screens) definition that shows 768 progressive lines, labeled (1366 x 768p), to
4. Full HDTV - high definition for screens over 40" or for video games and computers, labeled (1920 x 1080p).

• Display: Aspect Ratio

1. 4:3 - the traditional width-to-height ratio of older TV’s.
2. 16:9 - the wide-screen format similar to what you see at the movies

• Display: Flat screen

The screen is the most expensive component of a TV set. The old tube is gone and has been replaced by -

1. Plasma - for darker rooms where the furniture is spread out.
   • pros - generally less expensive, wider view angle, high contrast, accurate colors, handles fast motions, offers largest sizes.
   • cons - has dimmer picture in bright room, reflective glass surface, shorter useful life, burn-in of images, heavier, uses more electricity
2. LCD - for brighter rooms with tighter viewing angles and video game usage.
   • pros - better picture in bright room, longer useful life, lighter, no image burn-in with video games, uses less power.
   • cons - a bit more expensive, smaller viewing angle, less contrast, more blur with fast motion, smaller sizes.

+===Actions:===+

Given the amount of change that is still going on, it seems smart to "wait until next year". If you had to buy today, however, a best bet would be a wide-screen, full HDTV set with the largest flat screen you could afford that was best suited for the room and its use. Even though many broadcasts don’t transmit full HDTV, it is only a matter of time before they will. The technology changes in progress have a while to go before they will reach any stable plateau.

+===External Links:===+

• FCC Guide on Broadcasting Changes

A Second Look - 2008

We just changed our small TV in the kitchen and learned a few things in the process. The comments made above need some further refinement.

1. In this world of new, digital HDTV’s, there are two different worlds that can best be separated by size, i.e. less than a 32″ screen and 32″ screens or larger. For example,
   • This big discussion between plasma and LCD TV’s only applies to those that are 32″ or larger. The manufacturers don’t make plasma TV’s smaller than 32″.
   • The ability of LCD TV’s to deliver with powerful contrast, i.e. blacker blacks, has improved considerably. The contrast ratio of the model we just purchased was 3000:1. Look for that type of ratio. Just a few months ago, a contrast of 500:1 was considered to be quite good.
   • The display density format of 1080p really doesn’t impact the smaller sets and is often not available for them. The issue is really one of physical size. On the smaller sets, it is very difficult to notice any difference between the 1080p format and the 720p/1080i format.
2. Once you have purchased a new TV, you are left with a new problem - Getting rid of the old one. Once you could simply donate a TV or leave it out for the trash. No longer! Apparently, there is a fair amount of lead and other toxins in a TV (as well as computers and other electronics) that will leach into our water supply. So now, what do we do?
   • For the full scoop, read the Consumer Reports article.
   • For specific locations in your area, go to Earth911.org and enter your zip code. A list of locations in your area will be displayed, but all will likely charge a fee. Another information source is the EPA’s information site.
   • The best choice I found was the box program at Office Depot. Buy a recycling box (small $5, medium $10, or large $15) and fill it with whatever electronics they permit. They send the items to a plant where they are crushed and the materials recycled. The simplicity of this program is compelling.