EDTV: What You Should Know Before You Make That Purchase

Enhanced Definition Television ? also known as EDTV ? is one of the many modern viewing technologies of our time. Often confused with HDTV capability, this is actually a compromise between standard TV and HDTV. In fact, the visual benefits are at least twice that of standard television, since EDTV technology offers a minimum resolution of 480p when used on a monitor. As a result, you'll find that this type of system is more expensive than standard television, yet cheaper than HDTV technology.

While there's been a hew and a cry to purchase the more expensive ? and higher quality ? HDTV, there are actually some advantages to the "second best" EDTV version. First, there can be as much as a $1200 price difference between the two, and ? in some scenarios ? the viewing quality of EDTV is superior to that of its pricier counterpart. For instance, there's only a 10% difference in quality when you're viewing two plasma TVs that have been produced by the same manufacturer, but the EDTV soars above HDTV when the incoming picture has a lower resolution than the monitor's regular resolution. This is because EDTV technology allows it to align better with the incoming signal.

If you have an extensive DVD collection, or simply prefer watching movies via DVD, then the EDTV will offer a better video experience. Why? Simply because the DVD, which offers a 480p picture matches perfectly with that of EDTV ? which is also 480p. That, in addition to the fact that most content isn't high definition, but happens to have a pixel count that matches beautifully with the "lower quality" EDTV system, makes this a better buy. Higher contrast ratios are also better in the EDTV arena, which makes the viewing of darker scenes more superior. In fact, even high definition quality transmissions only suffer a 10% difference in quality between EDTV and HDTV ? yet, the price of the former is significantly less.

It's a given that if you purchase a set that's of lower quality, then even EDTV resolution will suffer. If you're going to invest in a system that offers higher technology, then you should also be prepared to make the same decision when it comes to investing in the set which will receive the images. So, models that come from Sony, Pioneer or Panasonic will tend to offer a better video experience than that which comes from an inferior manufacturer.

The bottom line is that ? dollar for dollar ? buying an EDTV system is a smarter decision than purchasing the HDTV. When comparing price, difference in viewing quality and the ratio of programs that are actually offered to the general public in a high definition format, the EDTV wins, hands down. So, before you go out and spend about $1200 more than you need to, consider investing your hard-earned money into the EDTV technology. You'll rarely notice the difference ? until you check your bank book, that is; then the difference will become obvious. After all, there's always the possibility that the chasm between the two systems may increase in the future, but think of all of the money that you can save, in the meantime.

(c) 2005 Simon Canfield - All Rights Reserved

Simon Canfield is a hi-tech enthusiast and freelance author.

AllAboutHeadPhones.com BigScreenTVsecrets.com

---

Your Home is in Your Hands

I would like to tell you about a magic home.... Read More

SmartCar Memory Stick for LapTop Transfer Data

With the new technology used to transfer information to from... Read More

5 Simple Ways To Increase Your Computer Speed & Help Your Computer Run More Efficiently!

If you're a computer expert, you'll probably already know about... Read More

Back Up, Back Up, Back Up!

This is not your typical lost data story. I was... Read More

Wordpress Plugins

Maybe you always wanted a feature that hasn't been available... Read More

The Many Benefits of Owning a DVR

Has This Ever Happened To You? OK.. it's Friday night,... Read More

Consumer Electronic Information: The Basics of the DLP Projector

Projectors have come a long way in the past few... Read More

How To Become A True CCNA

I've worked my way from the CCNA to the CCIE,... Read More

Uninstall Windows Media Player 10 and Start Enjoying Your Media Again

Windows Media Player 10 has been full of bugs from... Read More

How to Set Up Simple File Sharing WinXP

The first step is: Start > My DocumentsSo you have... Read More

Improve PC Performance - 6 Tips You Must Know

Are you frustrated with your PC?Is it feeling sluggish or... Read More

Spyware Remover

Your first step in removing dangerous infections from your computer... Read More

Connect Your IPAQ to Linux

Choose Not To ConformPalm pilots and pdas are constantly growing... Read More

Seven Things to Consider When Choosing a PDA

In the early days, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) were not... Read More

An All Too Familar Pain

Lost & Found for the 21st CenturyIn today's hectic world... Read More

Help, I Need a New HDTV! (Part 1 of 5)

Feeling overwhelmed in selecting a new TV? With all the... Read More

Why Get a Microsoft MCSE Certification?

In the years of the dot com boom and bust,... Read More

D2X Digital SLRCoolpix 8800 Actually Refers to Two Nikon Cameras

Addressing a D2X Digital SLRCoolpix 8800 search, this article provides... Read More

How I Started Working With 3D Modeling Programs

So I'll start from the very beginning.One day I was... Read More

Healthy Webmasters Choose Ergonomic Computer Products

Webmasters usually sit at their computers much longer in a... Read More

Learn the Lost Art of Touch Typing

Computers have replaced typewriters, but two-finger, hunt-and-peck typing can never... Read More

What Are You Looking For In A Cheap MP3 Player?

Are you stymied by the vast offerings in cheap mp3... Read More

Help, I Need a New HDTV! (Part 3 of 5)

Feeling overwhelmed in selecting a new TV? With all the... Read More

Things You Can Do To Speed Up Your Computer

Upgrading your processor will always speed up your computer, but... Read More

15 Good Programming Habits

1. Before sitting down for coding, you must have formal... Read More

Is Online DVD Rental or Pay-Per-View the Best Way to Get Your Movies?

With renting methods such as online DVD rental and pay-per-view,... Read More

Cisco CCNA Candidate FAQ

CCNA FAQQ. What exams do I have to take to... Read More

How to Switch to Firefox and Why You should

First things first, what is Firefox? Well, it's a browser.... Read More

Have You Invited A Spy Into Your Computer?

Yes, it's true. You may have inadvertently invited a spy... Read More

10 Tips to SPEED Up Your PC

1. Let your PC boot up completely before opening any... Read More

Linux Power Tools - Great Tools to Make System Administration Easy

World War II - Germany decided to attack Poland. Poland... Read More

Your Computer Cant Keep Time

A computer needs a certain amount of information to operate;... Read More

Compare MP3 Players for the Coolest Features and Sweetest Deals

How can you compare mp3 players to be sure you're... Read More