How to Buy a DTV

Until now, almost everyone watched analog television.  Analog relies on the same technology used to receive radio stations.  TV signals were received by an antenna — usually mounted on the roof of your house — and your picture was at the mercy of the elements.

Then, digital TV came along and gave you a much cleaner, consistent picture.

HDTV is the next level of quality for those who want to feel like they’re right in the middle of the action.

DTV and HDTV sound similar, but there are some distinct differences.

High definition television gives a crystal clear picture.  DTV can also provide a quality picture, but it’s not as good as HD.  And then there’s how you receive your television signal.
Charles Dubberly, owner of TV Center in Savannah, tells News 3 most people have the same questions about the switch.

“They’re a little confused about what you can do with the TVs.  We give them a little education.  The best way to do it is if you want to get HD and you’re on cable is to get a new TV and get the HD cable box.  It just makes it a little more user-friendly with the cable companies.  Also have HD through satellite systems.  You would have to upgrade your dish and receiver and all those things as well.“

When looking for a new TV, you’ll hear a lot of buzzwords like “resolution” and “scan lines.“  Basically, what it boils down to is the higher the number for each, the better the picture.  And the more money you’ll pay for the TV.  Dubberly says before buying know what you want to use the TV for.

“If you just watch the local news every night, you don’t need a whole lot for that.  But if you want to watch Blu-Ray DVDs, sports, you might want a little more high-end TV.“
Price is a deciding factor for many people.  New sets run anywhere from the 400 dollar range for a 19 inch TV…all the way up to 15 hundred dollars for something in the 40 to 46 inch range.  And there are even more expensive sets out there.

One thing Charles recommends to everyone is getting a new set with a well-known name brand.  What you save with a lesser-known brand, you may end up spending to get it fixed if something goes wrong. 

No matter what televsion set you decide on — whether you get a new one or want to keep your old one — there are accessories you’ll need to make the switch to digital.

The new HDTV and digital sets use HDMI cables:  one cable that inputs all audio and video components.  Those cables — you’ll need one for each accessory — can run as high as 30 dollars a piece.

The old sets need digital receivers and antennas.  You can buy those separately or get digital cable or satellite service.