A guide to HDTV in your home



HDTV

HDTV stands for (High Definition Television). It’s nothing less than a technological revolution that delivers a more exciting and lifelike image. To some up the different; analog TV’s have about 350,000 total pixels, and HDTV have more than 1 million total pixels and more than 2 million for 1080p models. HDTV’s comes in two resolutions; 720p and 1080p, the higher the numbers, the sharper the resolution. Both 720p and 1080p screens will produce an excellent image, but 1080p will typically cost more.

HDTV choices

HDTV’s are available in a variety of types and sizes utilizing various technologies. The two most popular are LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and plasma. LCD and plasma are thin and light enough to be mounted on a wall. A plasma set can look better than an LCD set if you can darken the room, but an LCD set has an advantage in a well lid room or one that has windows that let in light during the day. Do your homework on various manufactures and ask advice from friends who already have an HDTV. Look at the room where the HDTV will be placed to see how big you can go.

How high to mount your HDTV

The height of your flat-panel TV will greatly affect your viewing experience. Mount your TV so that, while sitting, your eyes are level with the middle of the screen. Resist the urge to mount your TV at the same height as a picture. You don’t want to strain your neck looking up at a TV that is mounted too high. Purchasing a tilting or full-motion mount will allow flexibility in viewing angles and seating positions.

Mounting an HDTV

You can hire a professional to hang your HDTV, but you can also get wall mount for flat panels from your local TV centers. In general, you will need only a few standard tools, and the kit will include all of the details about how to install the mount so it will hold your screen safety.

Keep in mind that a large flat panel TV can weigh 100 pounds or more, so follow the directions carefully. It’s a good idea to have at least one other person on hand to help with the installation. Hanging an HDTV on the wall creates the problem of where to run the cables. An easy alternative to snaking the cables behind the wall is to get plastic cable channels to conceal them. These channels can often be painted to match the wall, which makes them disappear.