Set Up Your HDTV: Help is on the way! No more confusion!
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Fact #1. HDTV is very confusing. Admit it!
If you're among the millions who already bought a High Definition Television (HDTV) set, you might still be confused about how to actually get HDTV shows into your television.
HDTV is NOT plug-and-play. You have to subscribe to your local provider of HDTV shows. You have to set up all your audio and video cables properly. And you have to tweak your HDTV screen to make the display picture perfect.
Sounds like a lot? Here's the ultimate guide on how to set up your HDTV the right way. No more confusion. We're clearing it up right here, right now.
HDTV Setup Guide Table of Contents
- The Basics
- The first things you need to know about HDTV.
- Set Up Your HDTV!
- Let's begin!
- Set Up the Connections
- Mangling our way through all those confusing HDTV connections.
- Other HDTV Sources
- Aside from watching your favorite shows via HDTV, there are other HDTV sources you might want to hook up to your set.
- Other Things to Remember
- Putting the final touches. And other help you may need.
Want Some Facts? Want Some Stats?
This is why you need help setting up your HDTV. Some things you might not know about you, the HDTV Subscriber:
There are over 33 million homes in the U.S.A. that have HDTV sets.
As of 2007. That's quite a lot, isn't it?0 points
Only half of that actually get an HDTV package from their TV operator.
Now that's disturbing. If you want to watch shows more...0 points
Even if you are subscribed to HDTV, you aren't necessarily seeing a high-quality TV picture.
This one's the trickiest. You have to make sure al more...0 points
The Basics
- HDTV: High Definition Television
High-quality picture TV with a wider screen ratio of 16:9. Has around 720 or 1080 lines of resolution. - EDTV: Enhanced Definition Television
Almost as good as HDTV, but not there yet. Has around 480 lines of resolution ("480p"). - SDTV: Standard Definition Television
Lowest quality of the DTV transmissions. Has around 480 or fewer lines of resolution, usually interlaced ("480i"). - DTV: Digital Television
Type of television broadcast format that uses digital signals instead of analog ones. An ordinary TV is usually analog. SDTV, EDTV, and HDTV are all digital.
Set Up Your HDTV!
HDTV? or HDTV Ready?
Check whether your HDTV set is capable of decoding HDTV signals. If your television only says HDTV Ready or HDTV Capable, you will need a special device (depending on how you get your HDTV) that decodes the HD signal.
Get HDTV Programming
If you want to watch your favorite shows in high-definition quality, you have to subscribe to a local company that provides HDTV. The three common ways to get HDTV programming are: over-the-air (antenna), cable, and satellite. The equipment you will hook up to your HDTV will vary depending on the type of subscription you signed up for.
Continue reading Set Up Your HDTV!
HDTV Equipment from Amazon
HDTV stuff you might find useful. Cast your vote as well, or add your own. ;)
Terk Technology TV-55 UHF/VHF HDTV Indoor/Outdoor Amplified Antenna
You've bought your HDTV monitor and tuner. Now you more...0 points
Terk HDtv Antenna Amplified
Receives all available UHF/VHF local & HDTV br more...0 points
Philips PHDTV3 Indoor HDTV UHF/VHF Powered Antenna
Featuring a log-periodic design for UHF reception, more...0 points
Zenith ZHDTV1 HDTV-UHF Digital Indoor Antenna (Silver and Black)
High front-to-back ratio helps reject unwanted mul more...0 points
Set Up the Connections
- Your equipment should handle HDTV signals.
One of the most important things to remember when handling cables and connections is that these should be able to support the higher bandwidth of the HDTV signals running through them. If you are not using cables that can handle HDTV, you may be getting a lower picture quality on your screen. That would be a terrible waste! - Your cables should also be digital and high-def.
Common high-quality connection types include DVI and HDMI.
HDTV Cables from Amazon
Monster Cable Ultra Series THX® 800 Audio Interconnects (8 ft)
THX Ultra is the audio equivalent of the Good Hous more...0 points
Playstation 3 PS3 Component AV Cables
It would be a shame to own a playstation 3 and a h more...0 points
Nintendo Wii Component Cable AV Cable for HDTV/EDTV High Definition 480p
The Wii Component Video Cable allows you to hook y more...0 points
VGA To Component Video Scan Converter 640X480 1600X1200 for HDtv
Use your computer as a source for your HDTV! This more...0 points
12' DVI-D Cable for HDTV
4 m (12.96 ft.) DVI400 Super-High Performance DVI- more...0 points
Other HDTV Sources
Aside from HDTV programming, you can also get high-def picture quality from other devices:
http://www.squidoo.com/sony-LCD-TV-Samsung-LCD-TV-HDTV
When buying a TV every one is looking for somethin more...0 points
Other Things to Remember
And finally, the last "few" things you need to keep in mind when setting up your HDTV:
Your HDTV will still need tweaking to picture perfection.
Get one of those calibration discs or ask someone more...0 points
Not all channels will be broadcast in HDTV, even if you subscribed to that HDTV package already.
Sad, but true. If you're keen enough, you'll know more...0 points
The HDTV counterpart of a certain channel original might be on another channel.
Check your channel listings! You want to make sure more...0 points
Set your screen aspect ratio to "wide" or "fullscreen" to take advantage of HDTV's 16:9 widescreen ratio.
After this, you will know when a show is not being more...0 points
As with anything, don't be afraid to seek professional help.
You've made good on your HDTV purchase. Why not in more...0 points
Check This Out!
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Leave Your Comments!
Any suggestions or questions are welcome. Thanks for dropping by! (If it isn't too much, please rate this lens!)
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- Johny15 Johny15 Oct 26, 2009 @ 11:30 am
- Thank you for your information
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- Pierce_This_2 Pierce_This_2 Sep 13, 2007 @ 5:15 pm
- We love our High Def for football games! How to measure a belly button ring
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- Rick-1 Rick-1 Jun 20, 2007 @ 9:21 pm
- I like all of the informative links. Rated you 5 stars. I'll be doing some more work on my Plasma VS LCD Television Set lens.
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- Jun 7, 2007 @ 5:45 pm
- Great lens! Just gave you 5 stars! You really put together some great interactive stuff. I like all the plexos. I got a lens on PC Satellite TV Don't have much experience in HDTV yet.
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- generationzip generationzip Feb 15, 2007 @ 7:45 pm
- Great lens and a lot of really good information! I have lensrolled it to my lens: http://www.squidoo.com/Plasma-TV-Shopping-and-Buying-Guide
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