A buyer’s guide to TVs:
TVs, DVD and Blu-ray players
Introduction
Whether you want a TV to capture the atmosphere of a big game, to watch the latest big-budget blockbuster in glorious 3D or to deliver an awesome gaming experience, there’s a massive range of TV choices and options to suit every budget.
From a stylish 15-inch flatscreen for the bedroom to a 3D, surround-sound monster for the lounge, there’s a model out there with the spec and features to deliver exactly what you’re after. It’s all a matter of working out what matters most.
This buyer’s guide will steer you through the maze of jargon and technical detail to make sure you end up with the TV that’s right for you – whatever your passion.
Choosing a TV
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Size: Like a basketball player in a Mini, a massive screen won’t be comfortable in a tiny room, so consider the amount of space you have before deciding on the screen size you want.
TV screen sizes are measured diagonally from the top corner to the opposite bottom corner and there are loads of options to choose from, giving you plenty of chance to find something that will fit any space like a glove.
If want a TV for gaming in a bedroom or for watching X Factor while you’re in the kitchen, a 15 to 23-inch screen is probably going to be plenty. Modern compact TVs pack a punch just like their bigger brothers, featuring built-in Freeview, high-quality screens and powerful sound.
For a bigger room like a lounge or living room where most of your viewing will be done, it’s worth considering a bigger screen. Depending on the size of the room and the distance to your sofa, a 26 to 40-inch model is probably going to be about right.
A really big screen is just the ticket if you want transporting right into the heart of the action. But if it’s too large for your room, you can end up feeling like you’re sitting in the front row of a cinema.
Serious movie buffs and sports fans might want to consider something even bigger – screens go up to around 60-inches to deliver the ultimate viewing experience. Just make sure you’ve got enough space to put it in – you’ll need a lot more than just leg room between the sofa and the screen.
Widescreen: Gone are the days when TVs squashed movies and football matches into an uncomfortable square-ish shape. The advent of plasma, LCD and LED technology has allowed manufacturers to develop widescreen TVs that really work.
Old-style CRT (cathode ray tube) TVs were built around an aspect ratio of 4:3 (4cm wide for each 3cm tall) but modern models now almost exclusively comply to the industry-standard widescreen ratio of 16:9 - which is much better suited to films and sport. That means a much more cinematic experience all round – the latest video games and TV shows are all designed to specifically fit the new standard screen shape.
Flatscreens: Whereas old-school TVs were generally massive square boxes, modern TVs are super slim. This is a direct result of the transition from CRT technology – where the depth was necessary to generate a picture – to plasma, LCD and LED sets. Modern TVs are often less than 20 to 30cm deep which means they can be mounted pretty much anywhere, recessed into walls or even hung from (strong) ceilings.
LCD, LED or plasma screen: While LCD (liquid crystal display) TVs are the most common, LED (light emitting diodes) and plasma screens are also popular.
In a nutshell, plasma, LCD and LED technology refers to the way in which the image is projected onto the screen. Plasma TVs are completely flat and produce exceptional detail and vibrant colours by being lit ‘at once’ instead of scanned around the entire screen. As such, a plasma screen will be brilliant for fast-moving images like during a football match. On the downside, the format is generally only available for larger screens, the units generate more heat and use more power, making them relatively expensive.
By contrast, LCD TV screens are made up of millions of individual liquid crystals, or pixels. These function in a similar way to a camera, allowing certain colour light to pass through each one, or not. LCD screens provide sharp and flicker-free images without reflection from the nearby table lamp or the sunshine coming in the window. Compared to a plasma screen, an LCD TV will not be quite as good at tracking motion and will have a lower contrast ratio. But LCD technology is available for most screen sizes, is much lighter and uses less energy.
Finally, LED sets feature millions of tiny light emitting diodes which generate their own light. This does away with the fluorescent lamps seen on LCD TVs and produces even more colourful and detailed images with better contrast. They also consume considerably less energy than an LCD model.
HDTV: The birth of plasma, LCD and LED technology has allowed for the development of high definition television (HDTV) which offers a much sharper and brighter image than ever before. HDTV images come in several formats: 720i, 720p, 1080i and 1080p. The number - 720 or 1080 – refers to the number of horizontal lines that make up the picture compared to the 576 on a standard definition picture. So a 1080 HDTV gives almost twice as much detail as a standard definition picture. The ‘i’ stands for interlace and the ‘p’ for progressive - the latter of which is regarded as delivering better results, but even a 720i provides noticeably better images than standard definition units.
What you’ll want from HDTV in the future is worth bearing in mind if you don’t want to fork out for a new telly any time soon. It may be worth investing that little bit more for the highest spec possible.
HD capability is also a must for serious gamers with the latest consoles offering stunning high-definition graphics at break-neck speeds.
HD ‘Ready’: With all ‘HD ready’ televisions, the picture quality will be great right out the box – probably considerably better than an old standard definition set. But unless you cough up for an HD subscription (through Sky, Virgin or a one-off Freesat box), you’ll still be watching standard definition TV. Freeview HD is becoming more available, but you’ll need to check if it’s available in your region.
Frequency: TVs with 100Hz/200Hz technology will provide clearer images.
Connectivity: If you’re about to fork out half your monthly earnings on a new television to impress your mates, don’t be caught out by not having enough sockets for your Blu-ray player/Xbox/PlayStation/Sky box/hi-fi system. Finding yourself an output or input short can be a technophile’s nightmare and your gadgets will not live up to their full potential. If you connect your TV to lots of peripherals, consider choosing a model with more than enough slots just in case you need more in the future.
If you’ve got a Sky or Virgin box, a HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) input socket is essential and you should get at least two. DVD players need a SCART socket and again, two would be handy if you’ve got a games console too. A standard TV aerial will need an aerial coaxial RF and if you’re going for the full multimedia experience, you’ll need outputs to hook up your television to a stereo or surround sound system.
DVD and Blu-ray players
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The humble DVD totally revolutionised home cinema viewing when it was introduced. With high-quality pictures, CD-quality sound and access to special features and bonus material, video never stood a chance. But Blu-ray, the new kid on the home cinema block, is now looking set to knock the DVD off its perch with its HD pictures and even better quality sound.
A regular DVD player will offer plenty of quality for occasional viewing or use with small screens. But if you’re a bit of a movie buff who wants to replicate the cinema experience as much as possible in your front room, it is well worth considering a Blu-ray player for the best HD experience.
Choosing a DVD player
Formats: Consider what you want out of a DVD player. If you like your gadgets, you may want to play more than DVDs. Many models can now handle other formats like mp3 files for music, JPEG for photos and DivX or Xvid for your own edits.
High-definition (HD) upscaling: This outstanding technology boosts the picture quality of your old DVDs as close to HD as possible. Perhaps one to consider if you’d like, but can’t quite afford yet, a Blu-ray player.
HDMI: If you want to watch high-quality movies on your HD television, then you’ll need a DVD player with an HDMI socket to allow uncompressed data to pass between devices.
Card slots: If you like showing off your holiday snaps on the big screen, look for a player with a USB or SD card slot to be able to connect your camera directly.
Regions: Remember not all DVDs work on all players as, in a bid to combat piracy, manufacturers have divided the world up into six regions. The UK is in Zone 2 so be sure your model is compatible with Zone 2 DVDs. This is also worth bearing in mind if you like buying imported DVDs or if you are planning on moving abroad any time soon.
Which player is right for me?
DVD only: If all you want to do is put a DVD on and hit ‘play’, this is the choice for you.
DVD recorders: Perfect if you want to play DVDs and to record your favourite TV series or movie when it’s broadcast on telly. Stick in a recordable blank DVD, hit ‘record’ and away you go.
EPG: Record programmes to disc at the push of a button by using a TV guide like those of Sky, Virgin or Freeview boxes.
HDD recorders: These clever gadgets work like a computer hard-drive, allowing you to record TV programmes straight onto them without the need for a disk. Great if you regularly miss your favourite Friday night shows because you’re in the pub and want to watch them when you get in. Although if you want to build up a permanent archive you may want to consider a DVD recorder.
Blu-ray: If you want to bring the magic of the movies into your living room with the best cinematic experience possible then Blu-ray is really your only option. Giving you a picture that is five times better than DVD, it offers superior sound and picture quality than other systems. Make sure you have a HDTV for the full effect and don’t worry if your Blu-ray disc collection isn’t yet at its best, because not only will the unit play standard DVDs, it will also boost their viewing quality too.
Home cinema sound systems: For the ultimate cinematic experience, a surround sound system that places you in the middle of the movie is key. The network of speakers, usually five small units and a sub-woofer, are strategically placed around the room to project noises like gunfire and explosions towards you from every angle.
5.1 versus 2.1: A 5.1 system comprises five speakers and one larger sub-woofer and gives a greater surround sound effect than a two-speaker (2.1) system. Most DVDs use five sound channels meaning under a 5.1 home cinema system, there would be one speaker for each audio channel.
Want more? If you really want to impress, a massive 7.1 set up will give you a seven-speaker surround system. But be warned, you’ll need plenty of space for four speakers behind the sofa as well as the 60-inch HD plasma screen on the wall and the Blu-ray player - not to mention all the mates that are going to be camped out in the lounge forever more. Just don’t forget the popcorn!
