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Two types of HD broadcast.
There are two principal types of HD broadcast: 720p and 1080i. 720p broadcasts transmit a 1280 x 720 pixel frame 60 times per second. 1080i broadcasts transmit a larger 1920 x 1080 frame at up to 30 times per second. Fortunately, all HD televisions can receive and display both types of HD broadcasts as well as Standard Definition.

HD projection TV.
Until recently, many projection TVs used three cathode-ray tubes (CRTs). Today’s models achieve higher performance and longer life by filtering white light using ultra-small microdisplay panels. These include Sony’s SXRD and 3LCD Grand WEGA systems, plus competing LCoS and DLP systems. Microdisplay televisions tend to be far lighter and sleeker than CRT-based projection TV.

HD flat panel TV.
While conventional CRT televisions are boxy and heavy, today’s flat panel LCD TVs can literally hang on a wall. And Sony’s BRAVIA LCD TVs are masterpieces of technology that look really good on a wall.

HDMI and DVI.
DVI, the Digital Visual Interface carries pristine component digital video. HDMI goes one better by adding multi-channel digital audio. Simple adapters convert DVI to HDMI. But you’ll still need separate cables for audio.

Viewing distance.
Viewing distances are not the same for high definition and standard definition. In the store, try to compare sets at the distance you will view from at home to find the right screen size for you. Ideally, the center of your TV screen should be at eye level. For the typical person in a typical couch, this is about 45 inches (114 cm) off the floor. That’s why it’s smart to buy the TV manufacturer’s stand, which usually positions the screen center at about this height.

Progressive, interlaced and scaling.
Progressive scanning (720p and 1080p) transmits all the horizontal scanning lines at the same time. Interlace scanning (1080i) transmits each picture as two fields, each of which includes alternating horizontal scanning lines. 1080p is considered the “holy grail” of HD. To accommodate 1080, 720 and 480-line sources, modern televisions routinely use “scalers.” These circuits convert all inputs to progressive at the screen’s native pixel count.

3LCD
Featured in Sony Grand WEGA™ 3LCD television, Sony’s 3LCD chips deliver extremely accurate color reproduction, gorgeous gradation of deep blacks, and high resolution at surprisingly affordable prices. Some DLP viewers may notice color break up and not see color all the time. 3LCD delivers color to the screen at the same time without artifacts for natural color realism. The result is a bright, detailed and vivid picture.

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Picture this, you go out looking at home theater components and just as you feel like you have a good handle on the kind of speakers that you want to buy you walk into a store and the salesman tells you that the speakers that you are looking at are not any good and he starts throwing jargon at you that you do not understand but sounds real enough.

Don’t go believing all of these salesman. One of the best methods for getting a buyer to buy what you are selling is to confuse the buyer and bring forward a problem and then offer a solution to that problem. The best way to avoid this is to know what the terminology is at least at some level. Here are a couple of sources that should really help you out as you read product reviews and meet with people in stores.

Home Theater Magazine Glossary

Home Theater HiFi Speakers

Remember that as you go out looking at products that it is best to shop around and have fun with the experience as you go out learning and buying your components for your new home theater.