EDTV or HDTV?

Question

I plan in returning my 2 week old EDTV for an HDTV and i am still confused because from a distance and especially at home there is no major difference. Help as time is running out i have 2 weeks to decide.

Answer 1

This is a question that comes up quite often, and it really has a simple answer: HDTV is better. However, EDTV wasn't really made to be a competitor for HDTV, but rather a transition technology that was better than standard, but not all the way High Definition, as HDTV is. And although Enhanced Definition Television (EDTV) doesn't quite offer the oustanding life-like quality attributed to High Definition Television (HDTV), its picture is actually closer to HDTV than regular television. HDTV has an impressive 720 progressive scanning (1280x720 pixels) or 1080 interlaced (1920x1090 pixels) lines. Thus, it easily meets the requirement of high definition broadcasts. EDTV, on the other hand, displays pictures at 480 progressive scan (640x480 pixels), which is the the highest resolution available on DVD. In fact, EDTV is considered optimized for the DVD format. However, this puts a severe limit on EDTV, which is simply not able to display higher resolution HD content.

Answer 2

I use an EDTV and it's perfect. It's a Panasonic Plasma Professional model. Most people can't tell the difference between ED and HD, but ED is equal to or better than DVD resolution and I think DVD resolution is pretty good. I bought the unit a year ago and I love it because it looks great and there is not enough HD programming out yet to make HD worthwhile. Even still, changes are being made to HD as far as resolution like 1080p which most HD TVs cannot properly display yet. There are also rumors of new digital connections coming out like the latest revision to HDMI.

Basically, I figure ED is still cheaper than HD, will display all of the HD programming currently available, and looks almost as good as true HD at a much lower cost. The unit will last me another several years until HD is the standard and all of the issues have been worked out to a standard. Plus, then the price will drop along with the new HD-DVD players and Blu-ray players.

Use your head. Is it worth spending the money for something that may be obsolete in a few years, or would you rather spend less for something that does a fantastic job now and into the future until the new stuff comes along? Regardless, check out the Panasonic professional products. They are amazing and are of some of the highest quality you will find.

http://catalog2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ModelList?storeId=11201&catalogId=13051&catGroupId=14624

Answer 3

Go with HDTV. Sticking with EDTV is like buying a black and white set as the color screen tidal wave begins. It the not too distant future, all signals will be broadcast digitally. That means you will receive them best on an HDTV set. Too bad there isn't much worth watching.

Answer 4

HDTV is the way to go,next year everything will be HDTV if you get any HD channels now there is a noticeable difference,I've just gotten a Sony Bravia 40" XBR with HDTV channels and it's so clear you'd swear you were looking out a window,the clarity can't be beat and the colour reproduction is fantastic,go with the HD you won't regret it!! Watch a Basball game,it'll sell itself!!

Answer 5

There's no major difference currently because conventional programming still isn't in HD. The broadcasts on your HD channels may also not be of a high enough resolution to make a difference.

Regardless, I'd go with HD simply because it will become the standard, and HD-DVDs will be more and more prevelant in the coming years.

Answer 6

That is a wise choice, since this next year the signals will all be switched to HD signals. So a good a HDTV is a good idea.

Answer 7

Return the EDTV, there's a reason it was so cheap.