Buzz
HDTV Image Gallery: A customer checks out HDTVs in a New York City store. View more HDTV images.
Mario Tama/Getty ImagesFor years, people have been told that watching a movie on a high-definition (HD) screen is like peering through a window. The image is crisper, more vibrant, and more intricate than anything seen on an older, standard-definition (SD) model. It's touted as a leap similar to the transition from black-and-white to color.
However, despite all the anticipation, watching a brand-new HDTV can sometimes feel underwhelming. If you simply plug it in and start watching, the results may not be as impressive as expected. The picture could appear too bright or unnatural compared to the store display. Alternatively, it might look pixelated, distorted, or blurry, which is frustrating. Why does this occur? HDTVs are supposed to outperform older analog TVs in two major ways:
- HDTVs rely on digital signals, composed of ones and zeros, instead of analog signals that fluctuate in waves. Digital signals are less susceptible to static, interference, or ghosting compared to analog signals, ensuring a more accurate transmission of the picture data.
- HDTVs offer a much higher resolution than analog TVs, enabling them to display far more detailed images.
Luckily, improving your HDTV's performance is simple. A few minutes of proper setup and knowing which types of programs work best will make a noticeable difference. Turn to the next page to begin.
Step 1: Proper Connections
(1) RCA connectors, (2) an RF connector, and (3) an HDMI connector
Image courtesy Mytour ShopperBefore you can start enjoying your HDTV, you need to connect it to a device that will provide a signal to display. This could be a cable or satellite receiver, an antenna, a DVD player, a gaming console, or a mix of devices, depending on what electronics you own and how many you wish to use with your TV.
In general, it's important to use new, high-quality cables to transmit signals from your devices to the TV. Cheap or worn cables can degrade the picture quality. While you don’t need to splurge on the most expensive cables, upgrading the ones that came with your TV and other devices is usually a good idea for the best viewing experience.
You'll also need to make sure you're using the best available connection type. Using a low-quality connection to carry a high-quality signal can negatively impact your picture. For instance, connecting a high-end DVD player to your HDTV with an analog composite video connection will result in data loss. Similarly, sending a high-definition signal through an incompatible connection will prevent you from seeing a high-definition image.
Most HDTVs come with plenty of ports for connecting various cords and cables. The chart below will explain what each connection is for and how to use it properly.
The variety of connections can feel overwhelming, but here are the key points to remember:
- Use RF or cable connections exclusively for devices like cable boxes, satellite dishes, and antennas, and only if those devices don’t support a higher-quality connection. For instance, if your satellite or cable box supports component video, opt for that instead. Avoid using RF connections for DVD players or other digital devices as it will degrade your picture quality.
- Whenever possible, use digital connections such as DVI and HDMI for digital devices. Keeping the signal in a digital format from start to finish ensures better quality.
- If a digital connection isn’t an option, use a component video connection. Component video provides the best analog quality. Although some signal loss occurs during digital-to-analog conversion, it’s minimal compared to the quality drop with S-video or composite connections.
Next, we will explore how to properly set up your HDTV for optimal viewing.
If your TV is digital cable ready and your cable provider supports CableCARDs, you can skip the extra set-top box for cable service. However, CableCARDs come with some advantages and disadvantages. To learn more, check out Ars Technica’s CableCARD: A Primer.
Step 2: Setting Up Your HDTV
After all connections are made, you’ll need to adjust your TV to ensure the image looks just right. Many HDTVs are pre-set with an overly bright, vivid display. While this may look great in a store setting, it can be too intense or overly bright when viewed in a dim room.
Most HDTVs come with several pre-configured display modes, such as "normal," "vivid," or "film." You can experiment with these settings to see which one works best for your preferences and the types of movies or TV shows you enjoy most. Alternatively, you can manually adjust your TV's settings. To do so, access the menu and tweak the following options:
- Black level controls how dark the color black appears on your screen. It's essential for revealing details, but if set too dark, it can make it difficult to discern elements in dark scenes. Certain HDTVs, especially flat-panel models and older LCoS sets, are less adept at producing true black, though the image quality remains good overall.
- Contrast determines the brightness of the white areas on your screen. It may also be labeled as "picture" or "white level." If contrast is too high, the image can become uncomfortably bright. If too low, the picture may lose sharpness and definition.
- Color saturation defines the intensity of the colors on the screen. Over-saturation can make the image look garish, while under-saturation may make it appear dull or washed out.
You can adjust these settings using regular DVDs. First, insert a DVD you like, pause it at a frame you want to test, then move the control all the way up and down to observe how each level changes the picture. Afterward, set the control to the maximum and gradually decrease the level using the following guidelines:
- For black level, pick a letterboxed scene with both light and dark areas. Lower the black level until the black bars are solid while still maintaining visible details on screen.
- For contrast, choose a scene with plenty of detail in white areas. Gradually reduce the contrast until the white parts are no longer harsh but the details remain clear.
- For color saturation, select a scene with a person with fair skin. Reduce the saturation until the skin looks natural with a healthy tone, rather than appearing red or sunburned.
Your TV might also feature other adjustable settings for picture sharpness or color balance. Additionally, it may have enhancement options that aim to improve broadcast quality. How these settings impact your image, and whether they should be enabled or disabled, depends on your TV and the content you’re watching.
To improve your picture quality even further, consider using a calibration or setup DVD. These DVDs come with guides and test patterns to help you fine-tune all your TV's settings. While some TVs come with a basic setup DVD, you can also purchase one separately for more precise adjustments. For optimal results, you could even hire a professional to calibrate your TV for you.
If you mainly use your HDTV for watching DVDs, these steps should provide a sharp and accurate image. However, upgrading to a high-definition player, such as an HD-DVD or Blu-ray player, could be a worthwhile investment, particularly if you own a large screen. If you're looking to watch TV programs or sports in high-definition, you need to ensure that you're actually receiving a high-definition signal. We’ll go over how to achieve that in the following section.
Step 3: Choosing the Right Programs
An indoor HDTV antennaEven with top-tier connections and flawless calibration, an HDTV cannot improve a poor signal into a high-quality picture. If you attempt to watch old videotaped TV episodes on a large high-definition set, the flaws like static, snow, and distortion will be much more noticeable. Similarly, even standard-definition cable, satellite, or over-the-air signals might not deliver great quality on an HDTV.
It's quite common to watch standard-definition content on a high-definition TV. In fact, around half of current HDTV owners are not watching high-definition programming on their sets. About 17 percent of HDTV owners aren't even aware that they're not viewing high-definition broadcasts [ref]. Some people lack access to high-definition signals, while others don't know how to set up their TVs to receive HD broadcasts or haven't taken the necessary steps to enable it.
In some cases, you can access high-definition broadcasts for free over the air. For this, your TV must have an HDTV tuner. If your TV already includes a built-in tuner, you're set. However, if you have an HDTV-ready set instead of a true HDTV, you'll need to purchase an additional tuner to receive HD broadcasts. An indoor or outdoor antenna is also required to catch the signals.
An outdoor HDTV antennaThe United States is currently making the shift from analog to digital over-the-air broadcasts. As a result, many stations now broadcast both analog and digital signals. To know which channels broadcast digitally and whether they offer high-definition content, check with your local stations. Be sure to tune into the digital channels and avoid the analog ones you might be accustomed to. If there are no obstacles like trees, geographical features, or long distances obstructing the signals, you should enjoy a clean, clear picture without interference or ghost images.
High-definition broadcasts are also available through cable or satellite. To access these, you'll need to contact your local provider and inquire about their digital and high-definition service options. To receive HD broadcasts via cable or satellite, you'll need:
- Equipment that can handle high-definition signals - you may need to upgrade your satellite dish, receiver, or set-top box
- A service plan that includes high-definition programming
- Channels on that plan that offer high-definition content
An HDTV cable box
Image courtesy AmazonOnce you're prepared to watch digital broadcasts, the final adjustment you may need to make is your TV's aspect ratio. HDTVs typically use a 16:9 aspect ratio, which allows you to view most modern films in their original aspect ratio, without the black letterbox bars taking up space on your screen. If you've been watching full-screen DVDs, switching to widescreen will make the most of your TV's widescreen display.
However, when viewing TV shows filmed in a 4:3 aspect ratio, you’ll notice black bars on the sides of your screen. These bars make the image size similar to that of old-fashioned televisions, but they can be bothersome for some viewers. Through your TV's menu, you can stretch or crop the image to fill the screen. While this may distort the picture, it can be a useful option if you're not fond of the bars.
A great audio setup can enhance your high-definition viewing experience. Check out How Home Theater Works to discover various surround sound configurations and how to set up your speakers.
