What is the difference between HD Ready and Full HD TV's?

MarkC1984 · 10-08-2012, 15:42

My grandmother is looking to buy a new TV, as she is still using one of the old style TV's that she has had since at least 1990! Still works, although it is starting to show signs of age. Anyway, she is looking for a new TV and wants a 19 inch LED TV with Freeview and the like.

What is the difference between a Full HD TV and an HD Ready TV? Would an HDMI cable be OK for an HD Ready TV?

BenMcr · 10-08-2012, 15:45

Details are here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HD_read...ents_and_logos

HDMI is fine for an HD Ready TV, as one of the requirements is that it has HDMI in

tizmeinnit · 10-08-2012, 15:51

There are 2 types using this term HD compatible and HD ready

HD ready has a HDMI socket and is capable of at least a res of 720p on the vertical

HD compatible means it has a componant input and capable of at least 720p

You need to check the resolutions some plasmas are 720 : 1024 these are old do not buy
Another is 768 : 1366 odd resolution cheaper panel

Another is 1080p : 1920 standard again older panel

Finally 1080p : 1920 24 these are best panels for bluray playback as it is capable of correct frame rate.

All these are HD . 1080 p 24 are the better ones

carlwaring · 10-08-2012, 15:52

I thought it was "HD Ready" for up to 720p and then "Full HD" or just "HD" for up to 1080p?

Guess I'm wrong

tizmeinnit · 10-08-2012, 16:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlwaring

I thought it was "HD Ready" for up to 720p and then "Full HD" or just "HD" for up to 1080p?

Guess I'm wrong

You are correct they are the newest terms but originally they were as I said HD Ready and HD compatible all TVs capable of 720+ is considered HD

Dash: CF noob · 10-08-2012, 16:21

19 inch^^^ HD ready 720P will be perfectly fine......

carlwaring · 10-08-2012, 16:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by tizmeinnit

You are correct they are the newest terms but originally they were as I said HD Ready and HD compatible all TVs capable of 720+ is considered HD

Fair enough but I was really referring to that Wiki article. Sorry. Should have made that clearer

tizmeinnit · 10-08-2012, 16:34

I think I might be going back to far. The Wiki link refers to Component as HD Ready originally this most certainly was not the case and a lot of models did not carry HDMI .

The thing is in real terms HD tvs in this country at least is quite a new piece of hardware. I remember people spending 3 grand on a 40 inch tv and it was pants lol

**Chris** · 10-08-2012, 16:49

Tvs are changing much, much more rapidly now than they ever did. I was having a casual look around the other week for one with a built-in Freesat tuner, which is almost certainly what I'll buy when the time comes, and was surprised to see so many of them were 3D sets. Granted, built-in Freesat isn't a bargain basement spec but I was surprised to see 3D being treated almost as a standard feature already.

Mind you, our existing telly is nowhere near needing replaced. We bought a 16:9 Sony CRT set about 10 years ago, before we had kids and could afford to splash out ... The idea was to get something of quality that would last. The picture is still better than any flat panel telly that would be within our budget.

tizmeinnit · 10-08-2012, 18:23

All an active shutter 3D tv needs is 120 frames and the software to display the various formats so its only a few extra quid to add the feature so they may as well. In a few years all tv will have the feature whether you want it or not

MarkC1984 · 10-08-2012, 19:23

Thanks for the replies, generally I consider myself to be quite good with technology but HD TV's got me confused. Will help her look round now for a decent TV.