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HOME REVIEWS CONTACT ABOUT March 14,
2009
HDTV Decision Time
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Because
of the change to the digital/HDTV
signal by
broadcasters, this is a very popular
time to
be installing a new HDTV system.
But
be forewarned, the decisions needed
with HDTV
are more complex than the
ones that
were required with the previous
technology. The process of planning an
installation
includes the choice of the HDTV
set, the
programming source (usually
cable or
satellite), the Audio Subsystem
(for the surround sound), the system
interconnects (cabling), and the
installation
decisions.
HDTV
An ideal
size HDTV will have viewing distance from the viewer to the screen that is
about 2-3 times the width of the TV screen.
Choosing the right size screen is one of the most important decisions
when purchasing a new HDTV.
Most
consumers say they want a wall mountable HDTV.
However, according to the NPD Group, a consumer and retail market
research information firm (NPD.com), only 13 percent of current LCD TV owners
and 25 percent of plasma TV owners say their set is mounted on the wall.
"Consumers
are drawn to flat-panel technologies for their wall-mounting capabilities, but
the difficulty of such an installation often leads them to explore alternatives
such as stands or retailer installations."
Said Ross Rubin, director of industry analysis, The
NPD Group.
It is
tempting to delegate the decision making to a local salesperson. This is not wise. Studies show that the many of the salespeople
at your retailer are not as knowledgeable or unbiased as we would hope. For example, one study showed that 37% of
salespeople steered customers away from plasma HDTV systems because of the
"burn in of plasma displays", when burn in was eliminated as a
problem several years ago (J.D. Power and Associates). The study concluded that the salespeople
steered customers to the more expensive LCD systems.
"Television
shoppers who visit mass merchants may be more concerned with obtaining a low price
and may not be seeking expert advice.
However, television shoppers should be aware that the lower prices they
find at mass merchants are primarily due to the fact that these stores tend to
carry second tier brand TVs, rather than major brands such as Sony or
Panasonic. When pricing for a specific television model is compared at each
type of retailer, the prices are surprisingly similar," J.D. Power's Larry
Wu.
HDTV
Video Format:1080i or 720p: the higher number is better, right? Even though 1080i technically has a higher
resolution, it is not the obvious choice.
Most networks have opted for the 1080i format; because it provides the
higher resolution, while ABC, Fox, ESPN, and the National Geographic Channel have
chosen the smoother pictures of 720p. 1080i is delivered in interlaced format
(the "old" format), meaning that your TV set draws each frame in two
passes: once for the even horizontal lines and a second pass for the odd lines.
The 720p (Progressive format, the standard in Europe) has fewer lines of
resolution than 1080i, but delivers pictures that look slightly smoother than
the interlaced image, especially when there's a lot of movement on the screen,
like sports.
Source
of Programming (i.e. Satellite)
One of
the choices, which DVD player to purchase, became much simpler recently. Blu-Ray became the de facto choice with the
withdrawal of the alternative, HD DVD.
However
we are still faced with the choice of satellite, cable, or antenna
programming. A fourth choice, IPTV,
which is TV over the Internet, can no longer be dismissed.
More
than 100 million
IPTV is
not yet available across the country.
Currently, when it is available, IPTV usually offers about 25 HDTV
channels.
Audio Subsystem
The
Audio component of the HDTV system is very important. George Lucas (Star Wars) once said audio is
half the movie viewing experience. Most HDTV programming today includes more
than two channels (stereo) of audio. The
most popular programming is encoded in Dolby Digital 5.1, which has five full
bandwidth channels plus a subwoofer channel (for the earthquake effects).
Surround
speakers would include two front speaker spaced as far from the monitor as
possible, two speakers at the back of the room, a center channel, above or
under the television that delivers most of the dialogue; and the subwoofer on
the floor for the low-frequency bass. Subwoofers are multidirectional, so you
can put them anywhere in the room.
If we
are to maximize the effect of our wall mount system, we may want to use in wall
and/or in ceiling speakers. This results
in a cosmetically sophisticated installation.
System
Interconnect (Cabling)
The
cables used are important, but it is important to know what to prioritize about
the cables. It is common for consumers to
spend a large amount of money on cables, but for the wrong reasons, and still
result in an inferior performance.
To fully
utilize high-definition programming (HDTV), either component cables (red, blue
and green, sometimes called "RGB")), a digital visual interface (DVI)
cable, or a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) cable is needed. This
is in contrast with the red, yellow and white composite (RCA) cords, or the
round-ended S-Video cable used by standard definition TV.
An HDMI
is the preferred pick for the ultimate in audio and video quality. Look at the
back of your TV and you'll see several options.
Depending on the unit chosen, you might have to buy these cables
separately. Cables can be
expensive. If you are choosing largely
on the basis of price, your choice can be circumvented by the need to purchase
separate cabling.
Cables
are one of the details that can be chosen poorly, and result in an overall
unsatisfactory experience. Details are
important.
Installation Decisions
Select
the right installation location. This will be decided by the size and shape of
the room. An ideal wall should be at
least twice the width of the display because you should have a minimum distance
for audible separation for the front channel speakers. Choose a location that minimizes ambient
light, especially directly across from the screen.
With
some HDTV models, the manufacturer will offer a specific mount for your
set. Plan on spending
about $250 for the mount. If a
system advertises "VESA Compatible' or "VESA mount", VESA stands
for Video Electronics Standards Association, and this display is designed to
work with VESA standard mounts. If not,
look at the back of the display and check for threaded screw inserts to which a
mount could be attached. A minimum of
four screw inserts is needed. Tilt wall
mounts enable the user to change the angle of the display, and can help reduce
glare from ambient light.
A wall
mount on an exterior wall will be probably be a more
difficult installation than on an interior wall. Exterior walls typically offer more
obstructions, including insulation, than interior walls. Exterior walls may be built with fire-blocks. These horizontal braces or blocks are
generally found about halfway up the wall, and significantly increase the
difficulty of passing the wiring from your equipment up to the display.
Decide
if the wires are going inside the wall or on the outside. You should not run
the power cord inside a wall as it is against NEC (National Electric Code),
except when executed by a professional electrician. If on the outside of the wall, there are
cable management raceways available that will attach to the wall with a cover
that snaps into place. If the wires are going to be run on the inside of the
wall you will need a drywall keyhole saw or a utility knife to be able to cut
holes in the sheet rock.
A good
idea is to create a molding that will be used as a cover for the cables. If the
power cable(s) will be outside the wall, then the rationale for running the
other (signal) cables inside the wall is reduced. Either select a
cable tray that matches your wall or paint the cover. It will look very natural, and will be easier
to maintain than cables in the wall.
At the
end of the process, you will be able to reflect on your effort, and know that
you have made educated choices. The right HDTV hardware, the best program
source, an awesome audio subsystem, the correct electrical interconnects, and
well-chosen installation decisions will result in a terrific theater system. Now, get out the popcorn.