Buying an HDTV and actually being able to watch high-definition programming are two entirely separate issues. You'll need to get content via cable, satellite, or an over-the-air broadcast (see CNET's
for more details). But whether or not your TV has a built-in HD tuner--or your service provider supplies an adequate set-top box--you're still going to need some add-ons to take full advantage of that new HD display. Check out these 10 key products that will ensure your HDTV achieves its true potential.
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The latest set-top boxes, upscaling DVD players, and HDTVs use an all-digital HDMI connection for video hookups. Slightly older models are equipped with DVI jacks--HDMI's bigger, older brother. Belkin's handy converter cable--it has an HDMI plug on one end and one for DVI on the other--bridges the divide, allowing you to connect an HDMI source to a DVI display, or vice-versa. |
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Your cable company set you up with a bleeding-edge set-top box equipped with an HDMI port, and it even included a matching cable. But your HDTV--only 18 months old--sports an older DVI connector. Don't fret: you can easily convert your DVI jack to an HDMI version by affixing this handy Monster Cable dongle. |
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Unlike the mix-and-match scenarios above, anyone with an all-DVI setup--an HDTV monitor and an upscaling DVD player, for instance--should opt for a cable with DVI connections at both ends. These versatile cables will also work with the increasing number of DVI-equipped PC video cards and monitors. |
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Congratulations: you have a state-of-the-art A/V system that uses HDMI jacks all around. Stock up on HDMI cables such as this one, available in multiple lengths, to connect each of your components (HDTV monitor, HD cable/satellite box, upscaling DVD player, and A/V receiver) to one another. |
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Your older HDTV monitor, DVD player, or HD set-top box doesn't have an HDMI or DVI jack? No problem: component video cables will get the job done. Sure, the connection is analog rather than digital, and it requires three cables instead of one, but it's the only way to deliver an HD signal on older equipment--and it offers a sharper DVD image than S-Video. |
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If you've scrimped and saved just to afford a "budget" HDTV, chances are you're not going to be spending upward of $500 for a professional calibration. At the very least, though, you can do a little home-brew tweaking on your new set to improve upon the often blown-out, oversaturated, out-of-the-box picture quality. Several do-it-yourself calibration DVDs are available, but Digital Video Essentials offers the best combination of reliable test patterns and in-depth information for aspiring videophiles. |
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Of the three ways you can get HDTV programming, only one--over-the-air broadcasts--is completely free of monthly fees. And since many local HD stations aren't yet available on cable or satellite, an antenna is the best way to maximize your high-definition offerings. Outdoor rooftop antennas will still yield the best possible reception, and Zenith's GEMDTV1 is specifically designed to maximize digital signal strength. |
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If you're unable to do an outdoor antenna installation (in an apartment, for instance), opt for an indoor model instead. The ZHDTV1 Silver Sensor is an affordable and retro-stylish way to pull in those digital signals without bolting something to the roof. This indoor antenna offers a no-fuss connection to your HD tuner, whether you have an integrated HDTV or a separate set-top box. |
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HDMI-enabled products are so cutting-edge that it's hard to mate them with other products that are so equipped. HDMI switching, for instance, is still a feature restricted to ultra-high-end A/V receivers. That's a problem when you're likely to have two digital video sources (say, an upscaling DVD player and an HD set-top box) but your HD monitor only has a single input. Enter Gefen's HDMI switcher, which lets you toggle between two HDMI sources at will. |
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DVI is a tad older than HDMI, but when it comes to A/V receivers, it's just as scarce. If you need to switch between multiple DVI-enabled devices, Gefen's HDTV switcher will get the job done. |
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