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 in a direct-view TV


 Video
The screen Direct-view TV is the industry label for what most people think of as a standard TV. Currently, 4:3 aspect-ratio sets range in size from 9 inches to 40 inches, while 16:9, wide-screen, HD-ready sets come in 30-inch, 34-inch, and 38-inch models (all screens are measured diagonally). With anything larger than 32 inches, you're getting into pretty hefty territory--sets can weigh well more than 150 pounds--so make sure that you have the space and stand to support such a big TV.
Analog Analog-only sets (as opposed to HDTV-ready) are less expensive but cannot receive and display output from a progressive-scan DVD player or an HDTV in its full-blown resolution. However, HDTV can be displayed on these sets if the signal is down-converted (made to be a lower resolution) by the HDTV set-top box.
Digital HDTV-capable HDTV-capable digital direct-view sets are becoming more popular, but on a per-inch basis, they're much more expensive than their rear-projection TV (RPTV) counterparts. Also, remember that most HDTV-ready sets don't have built-in HDTV decoders. That means you'll have to buy one--they run about $400--or rent one on a monthly basis from your cable or satellite TV provider if it offers that service.
Flat screen Flat-screen direct-view sets burst onto the scene with Sony's Wega line a few years ago and are now all the rage. Benefits include reduced light reflections and better geometry over traditional curved tubes. Though you'll have to spend extra scratch to get one, we recommend purchasing a set with a flat-screen design (as opposed to one with a curved design).
Aspect ratio Direct-view HDTV-capable sets come in either standard 4:3 or 16:9 wide-screen designs. The standard 4:3 design is optimal for viewing cable or off-air TV while the wide-screen design is optimal for viewing HDTV and anamorphic DVDs. You can still watch standard TV on a wide-screen set, but if you want the picture displayed across the entire screen (as opposed to a 4:3 square with black bars on each side), it will have to be stretched. Even though 16:9 screens are not optimal for viewing standard TV, we recommend this design because its benefits outweigh its downsides.
Anamorphic-squeeze mode Many of the new 4:3 HDTVs have an anamorphic aspect ratio that yields 30 percent more vertical resolution from anamorphic DVDs. This is often called anamorphic squeeze, but some set manufacturers call it 16:9-enhanced mode. Either way, it's a good thing and a must-have feature if you're buying a set with a 4:3 design.
Component-video inputs Most upscale analog direct-view sets--and all HDTV direct-view units--have at least one set of component-video inputs, which provide the best video quality from a DVD player with like outputs. Ideally, you'll want an HDTV with two sets of broadband component-video inputs. This will allow you to hook up both a progressive-scan DVD player and an HDTV set-top box without the need for an expensive component-video switcher.
Comb filter A comb filter takes the video signal and separates it into individual components. A good comb filter will help reduce artifacts such as dot crawl and give you a sharper, better picture on regular TV broadcasts as well as any source you hook up to the TV via a composite or S-Video connection. There are four types of comb filters: two-line digital, two-line adaptive, three-line digital, and the king of the category, 3D-YC.
Picture-in-picture (PIP) There are a couple of varieties of PIP. Single-tuner PIP is the most basic, and dual-tuner PIP is the better of the two. With single-tuner PIP, you need the tuner from a VCR or a cable box in order to be able to watch a program on one channel and get another in the small PIP window. Dual-tuner PIP allows the TV to do this without the need of the external tuner. Some high-end HDTV direct-view sets actually have a dual-tuner PIP that will allow you to use it with both an NTSC source (standard TV) and an HDTV source simultaneously.
 Audio
Simulated surround sound If you don't have a full home-theater setup, you may want to look for a set with the simulated-surround-sound feature. This emulates surround sound through the TV's two stereo speakers.
Built-in subwoofer Some midlevel to high-end direct-view sets actually incorporate a built-in subwoofer. If you already have a full-blown surround-sound system, you should look for another model in the line without this feature; doing so will save you some money.
Center channel speaker This is a rare audio feature, but one worth looking into if you have only a two-channel audio setup or no external audio setup at all. Most of a movie's soundtrack is actually the dialogue, which resides in the center channel of the audio mix. Therefore a set with a center channel will have better dialogue intelligibility.
Rear-channel speaker outputs Usually found only on high-end sets, these are generally wire-clip-type outputs that allow you to connect external speakers (which are driven by an internal amplifier). Again, this is a good feature if you have only a two-channel audio system or if you're relying solely on the TV's internal speakers for your sound.