DVD movies began to be produced in the 1990’s, and they became the dominant home video format sometime around 2000, a position that DVD’s enjoy even today. However, with a storage capacity of only 4.7 Gb, home theater users require discs which can hold high definition content, DVD’s simply do not have the storage capacity to hold all of that data. Therefore, nine leading electronics companies, including Sony, Samsung, and Sharp, began developing a next generation movie format to hold high definition video to usher in a new era of the home theater. With the so called “blue ray” specifications finalized, the average consumer can now afford to watch movies in high definition.
Comparison
The biggest difference between the DVD (digital versatile/video disc) format and the Blue ray format is that DVD players use a red laser to read data while Blue ray players use a blue/violet laser to read data. Basically, the shorter wavelength of the blue/violet laser means that Blue ray discs can store more data in the same amount of space, resulting in a limit of 50 Gb of data as opposed to 4.7 Gb for DVD. However, this has resulted in the players being much more expensive (at least initially) than DVD players, and adoption rates have been slow because of the following reasons (besides cost).
Average consumers have been confused in this recent “format war” between Blue ray and its rival format HD-DVD in the high definition home video market. The market was split nearly 50/50 in the beginning as vast marketing efforts in both areas and an even split in endorsements from large movie studios like Disney and Universal, with only two studios (Warner Bros. And Paramount) supporting both formats, although Warner Bros. will be Blue ray exclusive on May 31, and Paramount is already exclusively HD-DVD. As it currently stands, about 45% of planned and released titles are available on HD-DVD and 70% on Blue ray.
Besides this reason, Blue ray discs have picked up the pace as all of Sony’s PS3s can play Blue ray movies, with millions of consumers using their video game console to play movies on. An HD-DVD drive for Microsoft’s X-Box 360 was only available as an addition while the PS3 had built in support. If you are looking to have a brand new experience with movies where you are immersed into the action, then check out Blue ray players and movies.
The main advantage to using an HDTV converter is that it is a device with special capabilities that enable it to convert signals, which is certainly very handy when you want to get the same kind of viewing pleasure that you get with a high definition television or HDTV. The difference between the high definition television and analog television is that with the former the signals contain twice as much resolution as compared to the latter and high definition also means surround sound, which is not available with traditional tube televisions.
It is also quite normal for a HDTV to already incorporate a HDTV converter, but that makes the price of the HDTV go up considerably and may make such television sets too expensive for the average buyer. Also, the majority of homes in the US are still using analog televisions and so for those who are still using the analog television set, only using a HDTV converter will help enable them to enjoy the effect of HDTV.
The HDTV converter will transform the digital signals it receives into analog signals and so it is a very useful device that allows even owners of analog televisions to experience the best picture quality though it won’t be the same as HDTV, but is the closest that it can get. However, there is no doubting the fact that only a HDTV will provide you with the best pictures and sound since analog televisions cannot display pictures with the kind of high resolution and surround sound that HDTV sets can provide.
Different Types Of Input Signals
In fact, any HDTV converter can automatically detect which type of input signal is being received which can be either RGBHV, YCbCr or YPbPr format and then these signals are then converted into either 480i, 720p, 480p or even 1080i resolution. In addition, the HDTV converter can also convert 480i video signals and decode them into signals compatible to HDTV resolution, and what’s more, the HDTV converter can do even more such as transfer many pixels from a scan line into analog signals to accommodate horizontal resolutions.
With so many functions to perform, it is not surprising to learn that the HDTV converter is a very compact device that has been created by putting the best in television technology to good use. Furthermore, there are many big names that are producing various types of the HDTV converter including Philips, Doremi Labs. Inc., Viewsonic and also JVC. It is also possible to buy the HDTV converter for prices ranging from one hundred fifty dollars to three hundred dollars and they are readily available from local electronic stores as well as on the Internet.
George Kissi
Filed under HDTV by George
If you are considering buying a HDTV you will probably have been overwhelmed by the models and information out there. Every store will be pushing the latest and most expensive model on you claiming that this is the best model out there. As true with all technology, the next HDTV will probably be better than the model that came before it. However that doesn’t mean that you can’t find a HDTV that fits your budget but still makes your entertainment experience great. You can make a HDTV comparison by doing a little research and testing out models in a store near you.
LCD or Plasma?
There are two types of HDTV that dominate the market, LCD and plasma HDTV. A comparison of LCD and Plasma HDTV models will make them both seem similar. There are a few differences and when you make a HDTV comparison you will notice the subtle differences that will go towards helping you find the better TV. If you make a comparison of HDTV performance in a darkened room you will find that they both do exceptionally well. However there is a slight difference in brightly lit rooms, an LCD HDTV does better in bright rooms. During the day you may find that the detail and vivid colors on your plasma HDTV is not as bright as it is at night.
When making a comparison of HDTV color and image quality you will find that there is a subtle difference in LCD models. LCD models have a better color quality but this can fade over time as the LCD back lights dim. You will have to replace the back light to regain the picture quality that you first had when you bought your TV. This can be a real problem, however some brands have developed back lights that have a long life span so that you don’t have to worry about this.
In terms of viewing angles the Plasma HDTV is better in comparison to the LCD HDTV. At some angles the crisp details may be lost on an LCD HDTV. The images may seem gray and faded and the colors may look slightly different. Older LCD models also had the problem of blurring when watching fast motions. However newer models have largely managed to overcome this problem. If you have decided to go for an LCD model make sure that this feature is one that your LCD HDTV has.
George Kissi
Filed under HDTV by George
