Do I need an "HD ready" TV for digital?
Do I need an "HD ready" TV for digital? More
Digital TVs
If you are in the market for a new TV, you can go digital at the same time. There’s a wide range of digital TVs available– televisions with a digital tuner built in. This will give you Freeview channels through your aerial. There are also now digital TVs with a built in satellite tuner. These also bring you freesat services from BBC and ITV via a satellite signal and must be connected to a satellite dish
We’ve tested a range of 37" and larger, 32", 26" and 20" TVs to find the models that are easiest to use. For our recomendations see
For the pros and cons of digital TVs compared to other digital TV kit as well as features to look out for see Choosing your kit. See Connecting up for information and diagrams to help with connection and setting up. For information on what our tests involve see Test Methods.
CRTs are traditional TVs - bulkier and heavier than modern flat panel screens. Many shops have stopped selling CRTs and most of the major manufacturers have stopped making them. If you already have a good CRT, it is worth keeping it and buying a set top box or digital TV recorder to go digital – see Set top boxes and Digital TV recorders
LCDs are modern, slim panel TVs. They take up less space than conventional TVs, and the best LCDs give a good picture. Most come with a stand and can even be mounted on the wall, though you might have to pay extra for a wall mounting kit. LCD technology is improving and prices have been coming down.
So what about plasma? Plasma TVs are also flat panel but use a quite different technology. This was thought to be better than LCD technology, but LCDs are improving so the difference is less now. We have not tested any yet but plan to in 2010.
No you don't, though all the LCD TVs on test were HD ready, meaning that the screen can display pictures from high definition broadcasts. These are currently available only on a few TV channels on Freesat from BBC and ITV and Sky satellite, and the Virgin cable service for extra subscription. However with an HD ready TV, don’t expect the picture to necessarily be any better on ordinary broadcasts. And if you are buying a new TV to go digital, you need an iDTV but it doesn’t have to be HD ready.
