6. HDTV, DVI & HDMI
Why do you need HDTV?
HDTV is something you'll want a lot. It means that the set is capable of displaying in a higher resolution. Screen resolution is the number of horizontal pixels times the number of vertical pixels used to make up an image. Standard definition TV has a resolution of 640 x 480, for example. HDTV might have a resolution of 1280 x 720 or 1920 x 1080. A higher resolution delivers sharper, more detailed images.
Even if you watch standard broadcast TV most of the time (which will still be around for years to come in NZ) all HDTVs can turn those low resolution, non-HD signals into sharper, smoother pictures. Mmmm.
Look out for the HDTV logo when you're shopping for a TV. That will help ensure your TV is future proofed.
Don't buy without DVI or HDMI
It has been speculated that the soon-to-arrive HD-DVD and Blu-ray formats will only output their crisp high definition signals to TVs with an HDMI or DVI socket. With this in mind, we can only recommend you buy a TV that has one or both of these sockets. After all, you'll want to watch future movies at their very best, won't you? Remember, you won't be able to change your mind a year from now. All you'll be able to do is buy a new TV. Ouch!