Hi-Def: Whats all the fuss about?
Posted by eoinzy on March 26, 2009
OK,
So I’ve decided to start this blog off with a topic that has had most of the internet arguing, debating, and generally discussing to death over the last few years. I am, of course, talking about High Definition.
First, if you dont know what Hi-Def is, I’ll explain.
Hi-Def is the latest technology in TV viewing. It allows your TV to display 6 times the details that your regular “Standard definition” TV displays. As a result, your picture will be clearer, with better picture and colour. If your local TV stations send out HiDef signals, it will also have the added benefit of including Dolby Sound in the transmission too. Overall, its just an upgrade to the current way of watching TV. Of course, its not only TV that can have HiDef picture. DVDs have also gotten this “upgrade”. This new format is called “BluRay”. As with all new technology, initially it is quite expensive, but will go down in price over the coming months.
Now, if you are wondering whether to go HiDef or not, the answer is simply YES! If you are buying a new TV, it makes no sense not to upgrade. Think of it this way, when colour TV came out, a lot of people said they were happy enough with black and white. A few years later, nobody had a black and white TV, and shuddered at the thought of going back to B&W. Its the same here, you may thing you don’t need one because you’re happy with standard definition, but 5 years from now everyone will be thinking how they never watch anything in standard definition anymore. Besides, the price of these new TVs has dropped considerably so nearly any household can afford one.
Of course, if your current TV works fine, and you can wait until it breaks down before upgrading, thats fine. At the moment, you’re not missing much.
So, what is all the fuss about anyway? As a self confessed technology addict, what do I think personally of HiDef? Well, for the last while I’ve been watching HiDef movies, TV and playing my PlayStation 3 on HiDef also, along with BluRay DVDs. Well, to be perfectly honest, the TV isnt that great. Its an improvement, but nothing as big as going from Black&white to colour. Where it is good however, is on the playstation. The games look absolutely amazing and even more realistic than ever. The BluRay DVDs also look great.
Why is it that DVDs and games look good, but TV isnt great, you may ask. Simple. Its all about the source of the signal. The playstation and bluray produce full hidef signals, and the DVDs and games were made originally in full HiDef, ie 1080p, whereas the TV is in 720p. What does this mean?
Tune in next time to my next blog, where I’ll explain the difference between high definition resolutions in greater detail.
