What Size HDTV Should I Buy?
If you're ready to step up to HDTV but don't know how big to go, this handy guide has the answers you're looking for.
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High-Def Cables and Accessories
Cables are needed to transmit video and audio from your high-definition content source (set-top box, Blu-ray player, game console) to your HDTV. The "yellow-white-red" cables of old are not meant for HDTV, so you will want to use an HDMI cable to deliver both high-resolution video and multi-channel audio at the highest quality possible. Other cables exist distinctly for video, or audio.
Furniture to house or support your high-definition hardware is a good investment, as the high-def home will invariably have some valuable items that should be well-kept.
Cables
Only certain cables can be used for high-definition.
Combining an HDTV with Blu-ray as a high-definition content source will give you breathtakingly clear images and high-resolution multichannel sound. But getting all the pieces of your home-theater system hooked up is not as simple as plugging the red, white, and yellow cables from your VCR to your old TV set.
Here are some cable charts to show the different kinds of cables:
HDMI, DVI, or component cabling is required for a high-definition picture. If you are not using one of those cables, you are not watching High Definition. HDMI wins out in terms of convenience and quality, as it is the only cable to simultaneously deliver 1080p video and uncompressed surround-sound audio. However, many high-def components do not come with HDMI cables, and some do not even include component cables. Check to see what is included before you buy.
HDMI
HDMI is sensitive to length, but in ways different from traditional analog cables. When using a short cable, the sensitivity is not severe, and because the connection is digital, there is no fuzzy middle-ground, it either works or does not. If your cabling does not need to run for very long, you can save a lot of money by purchasing lower-priced HDMI cables. With very few exceptions, these will work just as well as their overpriced peers. However, as your cable length increases, so do the opportunities for the cable to be damaged in specific installations, particularly through and behind walls. For best performance in these instances, look for HDMI extenders and cables that are HDMI certified.
DVI
DVI is another high-def video cable, usually used for computer monitors, and its wide connector plugs into a trapezoid-shaped jack that is usually white. DVI was only used on consumer gear for a few years and has since been replaced by HDMI. If you run into any errors trying to connect this sort of cable, do not replace the entire TV set. You can use adapter cables that convert DVI to HDMI and vice versa. Generally, such adapters do not affect the resulting video quality.
Note: HDMI supports HDCP content protection, as well as some DVI cables. If you are using cables other than HDMI or DVI with an HDCP capable device, the video may not appear at all, or may show in a reduced resolution.
Remote Controls
Most home theater components come with their own remote controls. Universal remotes are used to consolidate these controls as your system grows. Gaming systems with DVD or Blu-ray players tend to use game controllers in place of RCs.
Single Component Remote Controls
A remote control will most always come with a home theater component, specifically made to send signals to that component. A notable single component RC is the Sony Bluetooth remote control for the PlayStation 3. The console does not natively support infrared, but reads a Bluetooth signal. However, there are USB dongles out there that can work as IR adaptors, allowing you to use third party RCs or Universal Remote Controls. However, these dongles are usually accompanied by a remote.
Universal Remote Controls
There are a few different levels of sophistication when it comes to Universal Remote Controls. Some URCs require manual programming. Others can learn codes from other remote controls or components like Blu-ray players. Others can even transmit radio frequency signals through walls, and there are still more that can even control lighting.
URCs that require manual programming are generally cheaper than smart remotes that come pre-programmed. But, programming a URC yourself can be a tedious task if you have a three or more components (Blu-ray player, receiver, and an HDTV). Manually programming the remote usually involves pointing the remote at the component and following a specific procedure. Some remotes have preset IR codes for components, so you should check to see if what you have is supported.
Also, 'macro' buttons allow you to consolidate steps across components. For instance, one button can be programmed to turn on your entire home theater system and hit the play button on your Blu-ray player.
More advanced URCs can learn codes automatically and transmit UHF and/or Bluetooth through walls, and even control lighting. These are used more for high-end and commercial setups.
Furniture
Wall-mounts
These items hold up flat screen HDTVs on a wall. There are wall-mounts that can exhibit your screen at different angles, which can be beneficial if your wall space is limited. Placement of your HDTV on a wall will rely on where your wall studs reside. These are usually weight-bearing 2x4s in your wall that can be used to support extra weight. Use a stud-finder or a hammer to locate the dead sound in your wall. Getting a friend to help you install your wall-mounted HDTV is a good idea.
A/V cabinets
There are many variations on A/V cabinets. Some house your entire home theater, including your HDTV. Some house all your high definition devices, minus your HDTV. The purpose for having cabinets is to keep your high-definition components and cables out of harm's way, and also to keep your home theater organized and presentable.
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