"HDTV monitor/HDTV ready" explained

HDTV ready and HDTV monitor mean the same thing: that you can connect an external HDTV source--such as an HD cable box, an HD satellite tuner, and/or an over-the-air digital/HDTV tuner--and watch high-def programs on the TV. Integrated HDTVs, on the other hand, have at least a built-in ATSC tuner (also known as a digital tuner or an HDTV tuner), which allows you to simply hook an antenna to the TV and watch free over-the-air high-def. Integrated HDTVs are generally more expensive, although a government mandate is requiring all TVs over certain screen sizes to include ATSC tuners. See our TV buying guide entry on HDTV tuners for more info.