iDTVs

If you are in the market for a new TV, you can go digital at the same time. There’s a pretty wide range now of iDTVs – televisions with a digital tuner built in. Most have an analogue tuner as well, so they are worth considering even if your area does not get digital TV yet.

An iDTV will bring you the host of new channels available from digital terrestrial television. Of course if you already have – and plan to stay with - digital services by satellite, cable or telephone line, you could go for an ordinary TV.

We’ve tested a range of 32", 26" and 20" iDTVs to find the models that are easiest to use. They included a few in a fairly traditional shape – CRTs (with a cathode ray tube). But you won't find many CRTs on the market now. The majority of iDTVs are in slim panel designs – LCDs (with liquid crystal displays).

To see an individual summary test report, use the product search at the top of this page. If you want even more detail, use the detailed test report link at the top of each summary. Here we also give information on:

• choosing a TV type – see CRT, LCD or plasma?
• easiest to use – see recommendations
• what our tests involved – see test methods

For the pros and cons of iDTVs and features to look out for- see choosing your kit. For information on setting up an iDTV and recording options - see setting up. For contact details for all the iDTV manufacturers – see manufacturers contacts.

CRT, LCD or plasma?

CRTs are traditional TVs - bulkier and heavier than modern flat panel screens. They are cheaper though and our expert viewers reckoned the best CRTs could give a better looking picture than LCDs. CRTs generally use less power than LCDs or plasmas - so lower energy bills. But many shops have stopped selling CRTs and most of the major manufacturers have stopped making them, so there is less choice of models.

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 STBs and recorders.

LCDs are modern, slim panel TVs. They can look stylish and take up less space than conventional TVs, and the best LCDs can give a good picture. Most come with a stand and can even be mounted on the wall, though you might have to pay an extra £100 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 as they are more expensive - £1,500 upwards - than the price range we have tested this time. Their very large screens need large rooms.

For more on the pros and cons of the different ways of going digital, see choosing your kit.

Do I need an 'HD Ready' TV?

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.

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