HDTV Is A 'Male-thing...'
Let's dispel that myth right now.
Editorial Note: After more than five years of reading email from HDTVInfoPort Visitors - almost 50% from women - it is clear to us that interest in Digital TV and HDTV is not limited to "guys who watch NFL Games!" Nor is it restricted to "Tech-types..."
We are delighted to offer this alternative view of HDTV ...By a woman, speaking to women. We know there are many other women equally interested in this topic; you are encouraged to express your thoughts and share your experiences related to HDTV. (Use the form at the bottom of the page) We would love to hear from you!
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I am a woman and I bought a 53” rear projection HDTV. It is in the living room of my 100 year old Victorian home. The furniture is arranged to provide the best possible viewing and to take full advantage of the Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound coming through my Harmon Kardon receiver. I understand that this could be hard to believe- but it is true. |
As we stood in Best Buy 5 years ago considering the options, my husband wanted a smaller set- he was looking at a 42” widescreen, but when it comes to HDTV, size does matter- and I wanted every inch I could get.
WHY would a woman want an HDTV?
I know that I am not supposed to want that “Big-Black-Box” in my house… and if I did allow it, it should be banished to some lesser room. I know that all the decorating shows focus on how to hide the TV behind the door of an armoire or in a cabinet…mine is not hidden.
I know that the "redecorate to sell your house" shows move the big screen TV to storage to help the room look bigger… I sold a house and left it to show the room was large enough to handle a big screen. I know I am not supposed to tarnish the beauty of my home’s exterior with a satellite dish or antenna… but we have both.
| While 5 years ago, the main event for HDTV was the Super Bowl, and most other broadcasting was still analog, today the feeds are digital, whether via Cable or Satellite or OTA. This means everything from Sesame Street to CSI is being broadcast in at least digital quality, if not High Definition. DVD technology has finally caught up, and new movies will be offered in HD. Satellite and Cable companies are offering more programming in HD. |
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The picture is breathtaking…the sound is awesome. Since the President signed into law that all OTA television programming must be broadcast digitally by 2009, a new TV is in your future…so you might as well get over it!
So what do you need to know to make a decision about a new TV?
*Size - the size of the set should be proportional to the size of your room. You really need at least 10’ from the seating area to the screen for optimal sound and viewing for the larger sets. A 32" or 36" set is good for smaller rooms, but HDTV quality improves as size increases.
* Resolution - 480 is not HDTV. It is Digital TV (SDTV). HDTV sets offer 720 or 1080 lines of resolution. This will affect the quality of the picture. The 'technical' options are "Progressive Scan" or "Interlaced Scan"; but I’m not sure that matters as much. The rest of the site provides more of the details, so I won’t even try. Picture quality is in the eye of the beholder.
* Widescreen or not - if you get a widescreen TV, you will have bars on the sides for shows not broadcast in widescreen. If you don’t, you will have bars at the bottom and top when you switch to 1080. He wanted widescreen, I didn’t. I won.
* Style - there aren’t a lot of color choices - it’s either black or silver. You can choose between a floor set, wall mounted flat panel, or tabletop set. CRT sets tend to be bulkier; DLP slightly less … unless you get a Front-Projection system. PLASMA and LCD have thinner profiles, offer flat screens and options for wall mounting, with swivel brackets to make furniture placement easier.
* Sound - most sets with speakers simulate Dolby digital - not great sound. You will probably be adding an A/V Receiver, or DVD player with a surround system later. This makes a floor model with speakers built in unnecessary.
* Inputs - the more the merrier. If you don’t get a set with enough places to put the HDTV set top box, audio receiver, DVD, VCR, TIVO, computer and game system, you will pay for it later by having to get another box to connect some of these.
* Controllers- you will need a creative way to house the insane number of controllers the total system will generate. Opt for splurging on one of the newest all-in-one controllers. These can be pricy, but are worth every penny to reduce the clutter and end the frustration of picking up the wrong controller.
* Reception- you will need a new cable or satellite box that is made for HDTV, and depending on the availability of local channels in HD and depending on where you live, you will need an antenna, and possibly a rotor and amplifier to watch local TV. You will need to re-educate yourself to channel numbers. Most locals broadcast on at least two channels - one with the network feed and the other is news or weather.
* Cleaning - unlike a conventional TV, many of the screens on newer sets cannot be wiped with cleaning solutions. Many can only be wiped with a damp cloth. Be sure to read this portion of the manual.
| * Furniture - new furniture should be part of the purchase. The options in entertainment centers has improved dramatically since we got our set and my husband built a makeshift unit to house all the components. Be sure you have enough shelves to house everything. A good rule of thumb is one shelf for every input in the back of the set - you will need that many someday as the components cannot be stacked on top of each other. |
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There are entertainment units that will house a 50” floor set and 4-6 components with space for storage. Many armoires will only take a 27” set, so be sure you measure. For flat screen sets there are base units with the component shelves underneath or credenzas with doors and drawers. A great place to shop online for "TV Furniture" - from TV Stands to Home Theater Entertainment Centers is EverythingFurniture.com. Here you will find selections to fit every size and type of TV; and the wide array of styles will make it easy to choose one that matches your room decor.
I find shopping from home so much less stressful - and this is one place my husband and I do agree! - and with today's high price of gasoline, every mile I don't have to drive is like a dollar earned.
And making it even better, "EverythingFurniture" can save you 5% to 15%, (often more!) with their regular price discounts, plus 'extra incentive discounts' frequently offered... So if you are looking for a way to make that TV "fit" the rest of your room - without taking it over - it's worth checking "EverythingFurniture" ... EverythingFurniture.com.
The options available today in television configurations and furniture style options are extensive compared to when we bought our set... If we replace our current set, I would look at wall-mounted flat screens or DLP-Projection (onto a 109” screen!). I would let my husband evaluate all the features thoroughly, and go with his decision … but he’s NOT getting (another) recliner!
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