How long till South Africa has HDTV ?

Dolby

Dolby

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At the moment I'm just using an old standard CRT TV. However, if finances go correctly, I'd like to get a plasma screen within 6 months *touch wood* (last time I posted that this same comment here ... I lost my job a month later *sigh*).

Anyway - how long do you think till South Africa has have HDTV? Is it worth spending R16k on a HDTV now, if it only becomes available in 2 years? Wouldn't it be wiser to spend R11k on a SDTV now - and either sell or move to another room in 2 years?

I'm starting to think the 2nd option is wise as it a) saves money now and b) In 2 years or less time, HDTV will cost R11k again ...

I mean check this Panasonic at R11,995.00. It's 852 x 480 resolution and has all inputs one could use in 2 years - HDMI aside :/
http://avshop.co.za/catalog/product...d/971?osCsid=3bac45168cc70644cabefd82071876ce
 
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I bought a cheapo plasma a while back with the intention of moving it later on but it turns out its 720p and my mini and 360 really benefit from it.

Knowing that, and if it broke tomorrow, I'd get another HDTV - well at least 720p. :)
 
HDTV isn't always 1080 ? You get 720 and 1080 HDTV ? Excuse the questions ... I'm new to this.
 
Dolby : That TV isn't HDTV. And HDTV needs a resolution of at least 1280x720

Mutlichoice is rumoured to be launching HDTV by the end of this year. Terrestrial HDTV is being worked on (and has been worked on for quite some time now by Senetch). When it launches will depend on the terrestrial boradcasters, SABC and E-TV
 
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Dolby : HDTV referes to resolution. There are two standards. 720p (which is the mainstream one) and 1080p (which is very pricy)

720p : 1280x720
1080p: 1920 × 1080
 
Ok ok ... curious : the only resolutions available are 480, 720 or 1080 ... ? The last two considered HDTV while the first isn't? Old CRTs were also 480 then? Interlaced or progressive? Which is better?
 
We run PAL here which is 576 iirc....

Dolby : I'd seriously wait until HDTV is actually launched, cos then the uptake will start and prices will drop even further I think.
 
Dolby said:
Ok ok ... curious : the only resolutions available are 480, 720 or 1080 ... ? The last two considered HDTV while the first isn't? Old CRTs were also 480 then? Interlaced or progressive? Which is better?
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Interlaced and progressive only come into play at 1080 but on paper progressive is the better of the two.
 
Hmmm ... Thanks ;)

Yea, seems the ideal would be to get a cheaper plasma now (852 x 480) since nothing currently makes use of anything higher - except for perhaps Xbox and PS3. There's no lower resolution on a plasma than 852 x 480 ?

What is an HDTV Ready TV? Same thing as an HDTV TV? How about HDMI? Apologies for all the questions ... I don't want to browse the net while at work :/
 
HD Ready is the same as HDTV. HDMI is a connector for HD, same a component.

HDTV LCD's cost pretty much the same as plasmas. A Mecer 32" is R5999. 37" R9999
 
A monitor with higher res usually uses upsampling technology to make a nice picture than an SD screen, well depending on the circuitry of the panel at least. With UPSAMPLING DVD players you can get a similar effect too.

The cheapest 1080P option at the moment, is the Samsung 24 inch or Dell 24 monitor. You can connect a Blu-Ray or an HD-DVD player or an Xbox360/PS3 and enjoy full 1920 by 1080 glory. Saying this, full 1080p sets retail for R40.000 at them moment but the price will come down within a year or two.

DSTV going HDTV. I believe they only plan on going 720p.

HDMI is a type of digital connection used between a High def player (upsampling DVD player, HD-DVD, BD player) and your display. It also incorporates digital audio.
HDMI may or may not contain HDCP (HD Copy Protection or Content Protection) features which authenticate the player to the display and permit the player to output
a full HD signal (the display says that its a genuine display and not a computer data ripper and the player outputs full HD signal).

HD READY is marketing talk. What you need to know is, what the NATIVE RESOLUTION of the display is. If its 1280 by 720 it's 720p if it's 1920 by 1080 it's 1080i or p.
 
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JStrike said:
HD Ready is the same as HDTV. HDMI is a connector for HD, same a component.

HDTV LCD's cost pretty much the same as plasmas. A Mecer 32" is R5999. 37" R9999
Click to expand...


Mecer 37" LCD going for R7999 now. I got mine direct from Mecer.
 
bwana said:
It claims to be HD Ready but the resolution is only 852x480. HD Ready can mean as little as it has a HDMI.
Click to expand...

So the resolution is the most important factor when you are considering an "HD Ready" screen? i.e. 1080i/720p @ 1280(1366?)x768 :confused:
 
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timgaul said:
So the resolution is the most important factor when you are considering an "HD Ready" screen? i.e. 1080/720 :confused:
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Yeah - if you want to enjoy HD content to it's fullest it needs to be at least 720p.

I have an HD plasma but it's not considered HD Ready - I think because it doesnt have a HDMI.
 
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