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Home Theater Basics - What You Need To Know About Home Theater Video

Home Theater Basics - What You Need To Know About Home Theater Video.
What You Need to See High Definition on an HDTV
Many consumers, after they purchase their HDTV, assume that everything they will watch on it is in High Definition. Needless to say, many are disappointed when they find out that their VHS videos and analog cable channels many times actually look worse on their new HDTV than they did on their old analog set. So, after investing a lot of money on an new HDTV, how do you get the High Definition picture everyone is talking about? To find out the answer, read on...
Why NTSC and PAL Still Matter With HDTV
A lot consumers around the World assume that with introduction of Digital TV and HDTV that the old barriers to a universal video standard have been removed. However, this is an incorrect assumption. Depsite the fact that video is going digital, the fundamental difference between video standards that exist currently, Frame Rate, is still the foundation of the new Digital TV and HDTV standards. For more details, check out my article: Why NTSC and PAL Still Matter With HDTV.
Video Frame Rate vs Screen Refresh Rate
Shopping for a television these days is certainly not as easy as it once was. With terms being tossed around like HDTV, Progressive Scan, 1080p, Frame Rate, and Screen Refresh Rate, the consumer is getting drowned with tech terms that are difficult to sort through. Of these terms, two of the most difficult to make sense of are Frame Rate and Refresh Rate. To find out the details about Frame Rate and Refresh Rate, and why it is important to the consumer, check out my article.
1080i vs 1080p - Similarities and Differences Between 1080i and 1080p
There is a lot of talk about being the "Holy Grail" of high definition resolution. However, what is the difference between 1080p and 1080i. Can you really see the difference on an HDTV screen? For more details on this check out my article: 1080i vs 1080p - Similarities and Differences Between 1080i and 1080p.
Quick Tip - 1080p and You
There is a lot of talk about 1080p being the "Holy Grail" of high definition resolution. As a result of this advance, there are now a growing number of Televisions available that are termed "1080p Compatible. However, not all 1080p televisions are created equal.
HDMI Facts - An Overview of HDMI
HDMI stands for High Definition Multi-media Interface. However, what does it really do and how does it relate to Home Theater? To find out more check out my article: HDMI Facts.
Quick Tip - Video Copy Protection and DVD Recording
Video Copy Protection and DVD Recording: Just as you can't copy commercially made video tapes to another VCR due to Macrovision anti-copy encoding, the same applies to making copies to DVD. DVD recorders cannot bypass the anti-copy signal on commercial VHS tapes or DVDs. To find out more on this, check out my Quick Tip: Video Copy Protection and DVD Recording.
DVD Video Upscaling - Important Facts
With the advent of HDTV, the development of DVD players to match the resolution capabilities of HDTV are becoming more important. Many DVD players are now equipped with "upscaling" capability to better match the performance the capabilities of the today's HDTV's. However, the introduction of Blu-ray and HD-DVD has confused the issue between standard DVD upscaling and the true HD capability of Blu-ray and HD-DVD. For more on this, check out my article...
Home Theater - DVD Recorder FAQs
As DVD recorders become more popular and affordable, my email box is filled with many questions on what they are, how they work, and what they can be used for. In order to address the most common questions regarding DVD recorders, here are some general FAQs that should make your DVD recorder buying decision easier. A must read for all dvd recorder and home theater shoppers.
Progressive Scan - What You Need To Know About Progressive Scan
DVD has not only changed the way we watch video content, but has changed the way we set up our video and audio components. The consumer is now faced not only with standard video hookups for DVD, but also has the option of progressive scan video setup. In this article I present a basic overview of progressive scan and why it is important to the enjoyment of your home theater experience.
Home Theater - DVD Basics FAQ - Answers About DVD and DVD Players
DVD is the most successful home entertainment product in history. Ever since it was introduced in 1997, DVD has taken off like a rocket and can be found in a growing number of practical configurations. However, what is DVD what really makes it different from VHS? To find out the answers to some basic questions on DVD, check out my DVD Player Basics FAQs.
Home Theater - Video Resolution - An Overview
When you shop for a television, DVD player, or camcorder, your discussion with the salesperson always seems to touch a lot on factors revolving around resolution. It's lines this and pixels that and so forth... After a while, none of it seems to make sense. In the above article, I shed some light on this topic, making the nature of video resolution more understandable.
Widescreen Television -- The 16x9 Factor
The home theater experience isn't complete without a TV to view your programming. When picking out a TV, the consumer can be overwhelmed by the sheer number and sizes of TVs to choose from. Not only do TVs come in big and small sizes, direct view, projection, LCD or Plasma flat panels, there is also another factor to consider: screen aspect ratio. To sort your way through this, read this article.
Home Theater - HDTV FAQs
HDTV is, with more affordable products and accessible programming, an increasing viable choice for the consumer. Programming providers, such as Showtime, HBO, Discovery, ESPN, HDnet, and all of the major networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, and WB) are dedicating more broadcast hours to HDTV. For answers to some common questions about HDTV, check out my FAQs. A great resource for home theater shoppers.
Home Theater - Video Projectors - What You Need To Know
The video projector has long been used as a presentation tool in business and commercial entertainment, as well as in some very wealthy homes, but now with advances in technology, several types of compact, portable video projectors are available and affordable for the average consumer. For an overview of common types of video projectors, check out my home theater report.
Rear-Projection Television - What You Need To Know
Although Plasma and LCD flat panel televisions are all the rage these days, with growing numbers of consumers reaching into their pockets to buy the stylish sets, they are still out of reach of most average household budgets. As a result, the rear-projection TV, with its lower pricing and high performance, is taking center stage in the consumer television market. Check out what you need to know.
Before You Buy an LCD Flat Panel Television - LCD Television Buying Tips
Flat panel televisions are quickly becoming quite commonplace on store shelves and in consumers' homes. LCD flat panel televisions, with their decreasing price points and performance improvements are becoming a very desirable alternative to the standard CRT set. Before jumping at the latest "great AD deal" on an LCD television, there are some useful tips to take into consideration.
Before You Buy a Plasma Flat Panel Television - Plasma Television Buying Tips
Plasma flat panel televisions, with their decreasing price points and large sizes are becoming a desired alternative to the standard CRT and Projection television. However, before you jump at the latest "great AD deal" on a Plasma flat panel television, there are some useful tips to take into consideration.
Quick Tip - The Difference Between S-VHS and S-Video
A common question I get is: "How Come Standard VHS VCRs Don't Have S-Video Connections". To find out the answer to this question, check out my Quick Tip: The Difference Between S-VHS and S-Video.

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