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

Here's a preview of what we're going to talk about in this HDTV lens.
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:

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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

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The Basics

First, familiarize yourself with some of these terms. Once you've done that, grab all the manuals for your devices
  • 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!

Buying an HDTV may seem difficult enough for most of us, but it doesn't stop there.

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

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

Terk HDtv Antenna Amplified

Receives all available UHF/VHF local & HDTV br more...0 points

Philips PHDTV3 Indoor HDTV UHF/VHF Powered Antenna

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)

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

HDTV Connection Diagram
  • 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)

Monster Cable Ultra Series THX® 800 Audio Interconnects (8 ft)

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Playstation 3 PS3 Component AV Cables

Playstation 3 PS3 Component AV Cables

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Nintendo Wii Component Cable AV Cable for HDTV/EDTV High Definition 480p

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

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

12' DVI-D Cable for HDTV

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Other HDTV Sources

Aside from HDTV programming, you can also get high-def picture quality from other devices:

DVD

Actually, DVDs don't have HD-quality pictures yet, more...0 points

HD-DVD

High-Definition DVDs. What better way to watch mov more...0 points

Blu-ray

The tough competitor of HD-DVDs. Let's see which o more...0 points

Computer

Use your HDTV screen as your computer monitor, or more...0 points

Game console

Aside from movies and shows, why not games as well more...0 points

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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

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Check This Out!

These pages are also helpful:

The Lifespan of Plasma, LCD, and other Flat Panel TVs
If you're shopping for a new flat screen television, one important consideration is the life span of these expensive appliances. Make sure you're getting your money's worth. Also find out how you can prolong their life.

Power Saving Tips for Flat Panel TVs
With bigger and better flat screen televisions comes a bigger price---the electricity bill, that is. Here's what you need to know about flat screen television power consumption rates and what you can do to lower them.

HDTV Setup
This lens clears up all the confusion about setting up your HDTV. The first step is to admit that it is confusing. Don't worry, we'll show you how.

Plasma TV
Learn more about plasma televisions, one of the most popular technologies for high-definition, flat panel televisions.

Plasma TV Features: The Useful, the Cool, and the Utterly Useless
It's important to know what you should be looking for in a Plasma TV (or any other flat screen TV for that matter). This article lists a great number of features found in plasma televisions today, ranging from the very useful to the very useless.

HDTV Guides on Amazon

Leave Your Comments!

Any suggestions or questions are welcome. Thanks for dropping by! (If it isn't too much, please rate this lens!)

  • JaturapakDuangin Sep 27, 2010 @ 11:39 pm | delete
    Sometimes things just work out perfectly from start to finish and this was one of those times. Amazon had this unit for a fantastic price, $200 less then Walmart, $150 less then Best Buy 1080p LCD HDTV. I ordered it and took advantage of the super saving shipping which was FREE, was told to expect delivery in 8 to 10 business days, 2 days after placing my order the unit arrived, Fantastic! Love the shipping tracking feature on Amazon, complete with a "heads up" text message when delivery was about to be made. Setup was simple and fast. I already had a HD cable box so I just put the stand on the tv, hooked up a HDMI cable (not included) plugged the unit in and was finished. Picture is just great!! I played around with the Televisions features while going through the picture and audio setup and found it to be very easy to do plus the included owners manual which was on disc and paper was a nice touch. I wish all shopping experiences could go as well as this one did.
  • Dordine Salbine Jun 25, 2010 @ 8:56 am | delete
    try this link will show you the best way to undrestand and setup your HDTV.
    http://hdtv.artenet.eu it's about all what you think for yout HD TV.
  • Johny15 Oct 26, 2009 @ 11:30 am | delete
    Thank you for your information
  • Pierce_This_2 Sep 13, 2007 @ 5:15 pm | delete
    We love our High Def for football games! How to measure a belly button ring
  • Rick-1 Jun 20, 2007 @ 9:21 pm | delete
    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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