Glossary
This glossary non-technical definitions that will help when purchasing your new HDTV. (All you HDTV-heads know what this stuff means anyhow)
HDTV Glossary Terms
- 60hz - Original refresh rate for LCD HDTVs. Being slowly phased out by 120hz LCD HDTVs.
- 120hz - Refresh rate for newer LCD HDTVs. WARNING: If the LCD HDTV is 120hz but does NOT have de-judder post processing, get the 60hz version of the LCD HDTV instead.
- 720p - The lower HD resolution. Most HD networks broadcast in 720p. Slowly being phased out by 1080p.
- 1080i - Obsolete, Don’t buy a 1080i HDTV. Get a 720p or 1080p HDTV instead.
- 1080p - The higher HD resolution. Video sources that can produce a 1080p signal are Blu-Ray, HD-DVD, the PS3 and Xbox 360.
- Brightness - How much light the set emits - Be careful, high brightness often leads to low Contrast.
- Contrast Ratio - The contrast between dark and light colors. High contrast ratio is better.
- De-judder Post Processing - If you are buying a 120hz LCD HDTV MAKE SURE it has de-judder post processing. De-judder post processing on 120hz sets reduces motion blur on films. 60hz LCD HDTVs cannot support de-judder post processing. Examples of this technology are Sony’s Motion Flow, Samsung’s Movie Plus, Sharp’s TrueD, and Toshiba’s Film Stabilization.
- HDMI - The top-of-the-line video/audio connection interface. Allows for throughput of 1080p video signal and audio on the same cable.
- HDTV - High Defintion TV. Supports high quality/resolution video playback for an extremely clear and vibrant picture.
- Response Time - How fast each pixel on the screen can change color. The shorter the better.
- WS/Widescreen - Refers the the screens that are wider than they are tall. These screens are ideal for DVD/Blue-ray movies and HD Channel. Standard non-HD TV will have black bars on both sides of the picture.
Deal Terms Glossary
- BM/B&M - Brick and Mortar, an actual physical store rather than an online store.
- YMMV - “Your Mileage May Vary”, this deal may work for you, but it may not. Usually used on clearance items, price matches or more complex methods of getting a deal.