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HD broadcasting is pushing analog television sets off the market. LCDs outsell all televisions among smaller sized HD ready and full HD LCD sets. Plasma sets, which are mostly larger, also come in HD Ready and full HD plasma sets.

Full HD – A full High Definition plasma set should have a pixel count that is labeled 1080p. Generally it has a contrast ratio designation as 1920 by 1080p. A full HD LCD TV set should also have a pixel count label as 1080p. You may also see the contrast ratio is designated as 1920 by 1080p. With this 1920 by 1080p ratio, HDTV broadcasting is the best it can be. This is because full High Definition LCD TVs and full HD plasma sets can process and display high definition 1080p signals, the highest signals from HDTV.

High definition DVDs and their competitors, blu-ray disks, can be shown on full HD plasma sets without changing the original contrast rations.

HD Ready – Full HD LCD TV sets and full High Definition plasma sets are different from those that are simply HD ready. HD ready is indicated by a 728i or 1080i pixel rate. HD-ready sets have tuners to adjust for the difference between their pixel rates and High Definition broadcasting. These sets are reported to have good pictures for their price range and compare favorably with full HD plasma sets and full High Definition LCD TV sets.

Set Sizes – HD ready and full HD LCD TV sets can come in smaller sizes. LCD sets actually come in small sizes such as 10 inches. Sizes used to stop as a 42 inch TV but now are as large as 60 inches. HD ready and full HD plasma sets come in 50 or 60 inch sizes usually. It is possible now to get a 42 inch TV plasma set from some manufacturers. Keep in mind that similar size does not mean the same picture quality.

HD Sets – High definition television is broadcast in widescreen, also known as the 16 inch by 9 inch ratio. Analog television was always broadcast in 4:3 ratio. Whether they are HD ready or full HD LCD TV sets, LCDs will all come with wider screens. For full HD plasma sets, these sets will be wider than analog sets, but of course HD ready plasmas are also wider. Width is not an indication of HD quality, simply of HD capability.

HD Converter – For analog television users, an High Definition converter is a must. Almost all analog signals have been or are being replaced by digital signals. Only an HD converter can make an HD broadcast into an analog signal. Many users report that an HD converter has improved their analog picture considerably. Still, this is not a full HD picture as defined by manufacturing standards.

HDTV Online – High Definition TV online is accomplished through the pixel rate on your computer screen. It may or may not be high enough to deliver true HDTV. To find out if HDTV online is true full high definition, you should compare your pixel count and resolution to 1920 by 1080p. If it is lower, it is not full HD as compared to full HD LCD TVs and full HD plasma sets.

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