What is HD Ready?
What is HD Ready? What does HD Ready mean?
For a simple answer go to our HD Ready page
What is HD Ready?: HD Ready television sets do not have a tuner/receiver# built into them. Whether your choice is "over the air", satellite, or cable, you have to purchase a DVR (digital video receiver/recorder) of your choice. In addition you can add (like HDTVs) a DVD, Blu-Ray, games console, etc. according to your requirements
.
# The tuner / receiver is the Digital Box enabling you to receive the broadcasted signals. The Box decodes or converts them into pictures and sound, displayed on your TV. If you want to take advantage of all the benefits of HD Television programming you will need to buy a HD Receiver box. If you receive your HDTV from a cable or satellite provider, they can provide you with one at no charge subject to a minimum contract.
Think of HD-Ready as a Display that will show anything you want to view, as long at is from an external source or add-on - No TV (Television) built in
In answering the question "What is HD Ready?" we feel that it is good to examine the advantages and disadvantages. These are listed below:
Advantages
- They are much cheaper than their HDTV equivalent
- You choose what service to add
- Cable and satellite offer free or cheap Digital Boxes with a subscription
Disadvantages
- The addition of a Digital Box could add up to more than the cost of a HDTV
- Box and extra cables to tidy up
Changes. Since the first HD Ready TVs there have been changes, these were brought about to avoid the confusion associated with the name. Originally we had HD and HD Ready, the difference being that no tuners were built into a HD Ready TV (just like today) and the resolution was 720(p/i). Whereas HD was 1080(p/i) and called "Full HD". Now HD Ready TVs are also available in 1080(p/i) so the name "Full HD" has been dropped.
Now lets compare a "HD Ready" television to a HDTV
A HDTV set has a built-in HDTV tuner which is much more convenient and a tidier option, without the need for yet another set-top box. These can come supplied with an "over-the-air" or "free-to-air" tuner or receiver, a built-in cable tuner or a satellite tuner. Some have one or two options. Our illustration above shows all the options - not all three services are built into one TV set.
Some of the modern HDTVs are sold as DCR (digital cable ready). Meaning they have a Tuner built in capable of receiving Cable TV channels, including HDTV, if the Cable TV Provider broadcasts HD channels. There is no need for an external connect to a Box. The draw back can be your location - various providers in the USA operate in different states and areas within them, providing different content. See our Service Providers page.
Think of HDTV as a Display that has a HDTV (Television) built in and will display anything else you wish to show on it
So here are the pros and cons this type of HDTV:
Advantages
- Convenient with no extra cables
Disadvantages
- Considerably more expensive than a standard HD Ready set
- If you change your type of service provider (i.e. from cable to satellite) you will have to buy an additional box which would make it far more expensive than the HD-Ready alternative
Below is a table showing the specifications that apply to each format
| Specifications |
HD-Ready |
HD-Ready 1080p |
HDTV |
| Minimum native resolution |
720 horizontal lines (rows) in widescreen ratio |
1920×1080 horizontal lines widescreen ratio |
1920×1080 horizontal lines widescreen ratio |
| Analogue YPbPr HD input |
|
|
|
| Digital HDMI / DVI HD input(s) |
|
|
|
| The HDMI or DVI support copy protection (HDCP) |
|
|
|
| 720p (progressive) HD (1280×720 @50 & 60 Hz) |
|
|
|
| 1080i (interlaced) HD (1920×1080 @50 & 60 Hz) |
|
|
|
| 1080p (progressive) HD (1920×1080 @24, 50 & 60 Hz) |
|
|
|
| All Accepted video formats are reproduced without distortion |
|
|
|
| Display 1080p & 1080i video formats without overscan (1:1 pixel mapping) |
|
|
|
| Display native video modes at the same, or higher refresh rates |
|
|
|
| Built-in Tuner ("Free-to-Air", Satellite, Cable) |
|
|
|
The world or television today is full of confusing terminology and hopefully this article answered your questions, such as:
- What is HD Ready?
- What does HD Ready mean?
- What is the difference between HD Ready and HDTV or Full HD?
For a simple answer go to What is HD Ready see our HD Ready page
Click this link for an explanation of the p and i after the 720 and 1080
Go back to FAQ's from What is HD Ready?
Use this Link To Contact us: Comments - Questions - Suggestions
