I'm unsure about what HD ready means

Middle_Sister

I've just bought a 15" LCD flat screed TV with built in DVD from Sainsburys for £149 (reduced from £189). When I took it home my husband asked, "Is it HD ready". Its not. What difference does it make? He seems to think that in 3 years time when everything goes digital it will be obsolete. Is that the case? Any advice appreciated.

-1-

HD is High Definition.

HD ready tv's have something built in that when you have a HD receiver (like sky hd) then you get that crystal clear images (good for sport and nature programs).

I don't think it is needed for Corrie and eastenders etc... though.

superscaper

Even when the analogue transmitters are switched off, for the forseeable future, ALL terrestrial TV will NOT be HD. I can't really see the advantage of high definition ona 15" tv, if it is even possible? Wouldn't surprise me if you couldn't even get a HD ready 15" TV.

irnbru_2

lesleyfb wrote:

He seems to think that in 3 years time when everything goes digital it will be obsolete. Is that the case? Any advice appreciated.

No you just buy a Freeview box if it doesn't have an in-built tuner.

Your OH is confused by the analogue switch off.

rjm2k1

I won't be obsolete, and tbh I doubt that HD will make an awful lot of difference on a 15" screen.

Also, I think he's confusing HD with Digital, they are not the same, if it's not got a freeview decoder, then in some ways, yes it will be obsolete since you will need a settop box when they switch off analogue, but they cost around 25 quid these days so no big deal and you pay quite a premium for TV's with built in freeview.

Astaroth

HD ready is a "standard" which means that the TV meets or passes the minimum required to make "full" use of all high definition sources (eg Sky HD, Blu Ray, PS3 etc). There is also HD Compatible which means that it falls short of some aspect of the HD Ready requirements but if fed a HD source then it will still display a picture (though the picture may not be HD).

On a 15" screen you are hardly likely to notice any difference with HD over standard definition at a normal viewing distance anyway. As others have already said it is digital that will become the only option in a few years time and to receive this you simply need a freeview tuner, sky box, telewest/ NTL or such. Many TVs now have a freeview tuner built in but if it doesnt an external box can be bought for £30 and no subscription is necessary

SAP_Saver

the main thing is not to worry - there is 3 years before they turn off analogue and even when they do it will cost less than £20 to buy a freeview box to ensure it recieves all of the channels you get with your tv licence. As far as HD ready goes - on a 15" it will not make much of a difference. HD ready is more for the 40"+ tvs people are now buying where more pixels are needed for making the picture the larger screens having greater clarity.

Avoriaz

Your husband is clearly not HD.:p

Middle_Sister

Oh, he's got other good points. Bless.

Thanks for your responses. 1st class.