Whether you’ve already purchased a High Definition Television (HDTV) or are in the market to do so, there are a few key items you need to know. The premise of HDTV is simple: Deliver a picture that is up to 5X sharper than standard TV complete with digital surround sound that rivals the audio experience found in a typical movie theater. While this may sound simple enough in concept, enjoying all of the core benefits that HDTV has to offer can often be a challenge for consumers. A recent article by Peter Grant in the Wall Street Journal confirms this dilemma:

Anyone who thinks consumers understand high-definition television should consider a recent survey by Leichtman Research Group. It concluded that close to one-half of the 24 million households with HDTV’s don't actually watch high-definition programs because they haven't obtained the necessary hardware from their cable, phone or satellite operators.

And about one half of those viewers, about 6 million, don't even realize they're not watching HDTV.

This core concept is what makes HDTV such a worthwhile upgrade, as it ensures crisp picture details, proper color rendition, and pristine audio from the source down.

HDTV Basic Setup Requirements

There are two pre-requisites that must be met for your HDTV to properly display High Definition content.  The most important consideration is having a proper source of HD programming.  This source is generally a separate HDTV set-top box leased by a cable or satellite operator, but can include other technologies as well.  Nearly as critical for HDTV viewing is selecting the appropriate cable to connect to your HD equipment.  Many of the common Audio/Video cable technologies simply are not designed to handle High Definition content.   

 HDTV Content Providers

HDTV via Cable Pros:  

Simple upgrade with no extra equipment to buy 
Decent selection of HD content including local HDTV channels

Satellite operators have been waging a tough fight for supremacy of HDTV content by making significant investments in infrastructure. Dish Network™ recently integrated the satellites from VOOM™, an exclusively high Definition satellite provider, into their orbiting network. DirecTV™ has launched a constellation of HD satellites to expand their programming options. If you are already a subscriber to either of these services, upgrading to one of their recommended HDTV satellite receivers is a great option. Unlike the cable company, this receiver must be purchased up-front to receive HDTV service.

HDTV via Satellite Pros:

More HDTV channel selections than cable
HD programming packages are generally cheaper than cable

HDTV via Satellite Cons:

The required HDTV satellite receiver can cost upwards of $500
Not all local channels are carried in HD by the satellite providers

HDTV via Antenna (Over-the-Air Broadcasts)

HDTV via Antenna Pros:

No monthly subscription costs required
Picture quality is generally superior to satellite and cable

HDTV via Antenna Cons:

Costs associated with special ATSC tuner
Reception problems similar to cell phones in some areas

HDTV Cable Technology Overview

Unfortunately one of the most critical factors in ensuring a stellar HDTV experience is often overlooked.  Simply using an incorrect cable for your HDTV installation can lead to an 80% reduction in picture quality, even if you’ve invested in the proper equipment.   Some of the most common video cables used by today’s A/V devices simply cannot handle the strict technical requirements imposed by HDTV.  

Common A/V Cable Types

Component Video        DVI                                HDMI
HDTV Support:  YES     HDTV Support:  YES    HDTV Support:  YES

A great majority of HDTV’s can utilize any of the three cable types shown above. Component Video, DVI, and HDMI cables are all fully compatible with HDTV signals.  All of these cables are optimized specifically for the purpose of carrying high resolution video signals such as HDTV.  CablesonDemand.com carries all of these HDTV cable options for your home theater.

Component Video

HDMI Video

Tips and Tricks

Although HDTV’s can look great right out of the box, most of the time some simple tweaks need to be done to optimize the picture.  HDTV’s tend to produce a cooler image (with emphasis on blue) with standard settings.  This may look good on display at the electronics store, but for home viewing this is undesirable.  Here are some suggestions to optimize your HDTV experience:

Tip #1: HDTV Calibration

Calibration is the process of fine-tuning your HDTV’s settings to provide the most accurate picture possible.  This ensures that you, as a viewer, will be able to see a movie exactly the way the director intended.  Basic calibrations can be done by anyone using a special DVD.  More in-depth calibrations can be done by a professional.

For a basic calibration, take a look at your DVD collection.  DVD’s mastered in THX™ usually include a feature called the THX Optimizer™.  This is a free calibration tool that handles Brightness/Contrast, Color/Tint, and other basic performance benchmarks.  For more information on THX Optimizer™, please visit the link below:

http://www.thx.com/home/dvd/optimizer/index.html

Test Pattern Used for HDTV Calibration

Tip #2: Brightness and Contrast

Brightness controls the black level of the picture while Contrast controls the white level of the picture.  Incorrect settings can really degrade the image quality.  Low brightness eliminates shadow detail while high brightness washes the image out.  Low contrast makes an image look weak and dark while high contrast can make the white portion of the image bloom.  These settings are simple to dial in using a calibration DVD.

Tip #3: Color/Tint

Color and Tint controls the saturation and the hue of color images on your HDTV.  If you are using a DVI or HDMI connection, these settings can usually be left alone.  This is because a digital signal will display the color/tint level exactly as it was meant to be displayed.  For Component Video connections, the color and tint can shift or weaken since it is an analog signal.  Adjust the settings as needed either through preference or through a calibration DVD.

Tip #4: Color Temperature 

Color Temperature describes the appearance of white light within an image, expressed in Kelvins.  A warm color temperature tends to take on a pinkish hue while a cool temperature will appear blue.  The recommended color temperature for HDTV is 6500K.  Some HDTV’s will have a setting known as 6500K or D65.  Selecting this setting is usually recommended.  For more advanced users, the color temperature can be set manually by adjusting the separate R, G, and B gain/drive settings.  An easy method is to set the display’s color setting to zero so a black-and-white image appears.  Adjust the R, G, and B settings up and down as needed until the black and white image looks perfect and free of any color (i.e. a blue hue).  Once set, you can raise the color setting back to normal.  

Tip #5: Native Display Settings

Nearly all HDTV’s have a Native Display resolution.  This means that the display device has a fixed pixel count.  The most common native HDTV display resolutions are:

1280x720
1280x768
1366x768
1920x1080

HDTV’s will always look their best when they are fed with a signal equal to or close to their native resolution.  If your HDTV has a native display resolution of 1280x720, 1280x768, or 1366x768, feed the TV with a 720P signal.  If your HDTV has a native display resolution of 1920x1080, feed the TV with a 1080i signal.  Most HD capable satellite and cable boxes allow you to manually select the signal output between 720P and 1080i. 

Tip #6: Bad Signal Diagnostic

Diagnosing signal problems can be difficult.  A bad HDMI or DVI cable will result in signal drop-outs and pixilation.  These symptoms can also result from a bad HDTV signal feed from the cable or satellite provider.  To pin-point where the source of the problem lies, tune through multiple channels.  If the problem persists on all of the channels, you most likely have a bad cable. 

A bad or low quality HDTV signal can be checked using the CBS™ HD test.  CBS™ will only allow their HD signal to be re-broadcast if the signal is not manipulated by the cable or satellite operator.  Tune to the CBS™ HD channel.  This channel should be crystal clear and free of distortion.  If this channel appears distorted, there is likely a problem with your HDTV signal.  Please contact your cable and satellite operator if this is the case.  They can remotely check the HDTV signal strength for you.

HDTV Guide by Nick Blas
CablesonDemand.com Technology Editor