Key to the summary test reports

Price. We take into account the typical selling price according to the manufacturer when we bought the product, or otherwise the price we paid for it. Once a quarter we check widely available high street prices for all the current products on the site, and update to the cheapest of these.

Type. All the TVs on test had integrated tuners for digital terrestrial TV. A CRT is a traditional Cathode Ray Tube TV so it will be relatively deep and heavy. An LCD is a flat panel style Liquid Crystal Display TV – slimmer and lighter.

Overall usage. The longer the bar the easier to use. This is a score which combines the overall ease of use rating and overall convenient features score – both explained below. It is a weighted score on the basis that ease of doing things is more important than the helpful features that each system had.

Digital tick. An IDTV can carry this logo if it has been tested to carry on working through and after digital switchover. Currently it does not guarantee the box can take on new features that are being introduced – see updates in the more information summaries for manufacturer assurances on this.

Verdict. Our view of the pros and cons of each product.

Features

HD ready. Capable of displaying high definition broadcasts.

Tuner. The type and number of tuners inside the iDTV. Most have a single digital terrestrial tuner and an analogue tuner. The analogue tuner means it will be OK in areas that cannot receive terrestrial digital yet. Look for a twin digital tuner if you buy a TV with a built-in hard drive recorder (PVR).

Screen size. A measure of the screen diagonal. All the TVs tested are widescreen so these dimensions may look bigger than the dimensions used for traditional TVs. A 32” widescreen TV is roughly equivalent to an old-style 26” TV.

On-screen TV guide. A listing of channels and programme times.

Source of guide from official broadcast multiplex. Freeview broadcast a full 8-day TV guide that is kept up to date through the day and most iDTVs use this for their TV guide display. A few TVs (and set top boxes) use an alternative guide. These often give more days ahead but are usually updated only once every 24 hours.

Favourite channel groups. Shortlist the channels you watch regularly. With some iDTVs, different members of the household can set up their own favourites. Also useful if favourites work from both the TV guide and the basic channel listing.

Now and Next. See the title of the current programme and what programme is coming up next. With most iDTVs you can also scroll through these N&N titles for all channels – all while keeping up with the programme on the screen.

Programme information. Most digital remotes have an ‘info’ or ‘i button’. Press this for a brief description of each programme. With most iDTVs this can be done for the current programme, for the N&N screens or, if you are really planning ahead, for the TV guide.

Connections

SCART sockets. Best way to connect devices together and gives stereo sound, the best picture quality and automatic switching functions. Two SCART sockets are better than one for recording. See connecting up to record.

Slot for pay TV or common interface slot. All the iDTVs on test had a common interface slot where a smart card adapter could be fitted – available from electrical retailers for around £40.

TV performance. Viewing and listening sessions were carried out to provide subjective ratings on how good each iDTV was to watch and listen to. Particular attention was paid to sound and picture synchronisation and general quality. See the more information summary on each iDTV for its technical performance.

Power consumption. The lower the better – for the environment and your pocket. Economy mode on a couple of LCDs can bring down consumption in use.

Ease of use

The star ratings are scores out of 5, where 5 is easy and 1 is awkward to use. The ratings measure: initial installation; everyday use of the remote control; using the on-screen TV guide; setting up favourites; and using the cabinet controls. These and the overall ease of use rating were assessed by our experts – see test methods.

Overall convenience features. This score was calculated by adding up all those features that made the TV versatile and convenient. They include things like direct access buttons for important features, favourite channel lists and automatic software updating. A total of over 30 items were included, with some given higher importance than others.

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