HDTV For Dummies [Paperback]

Danny Briere (Author), Pat Hurley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 10, 2007

If you love movies, TV, and video games, then you’ve probably thought seriously about investing in a high-definition television set, otherwise known as HDTV. But before you run to your nearest electronic goods store, you should know what you’re investing your hard-earned money in, which TV set is good for you, and other things that will optimize your viewing pleasure.

HDTV for Dummies shows you everything you need to know about buying the right equipment, setting it up, and enjoying all the things you love about TV. It’ll save you tons of confusion over this exciting new technology and tell you everything you need to know about terms, concepts, and the difference between HD and digital. This handy guide gives you the tools you need to:

• Get connected with video and audio cables
• Hook up your DVD player, VCR, PC, camcorder, and other fun stuff
• Mount your HDTV
• Receive HDTV programming
• Understand the difference between HD DVD and Blu-ray disc players
• Record with DVRs and VCRs
• Install game consoles like PS3, Xbox 360, and Nintendo Wii
• Enhance your HDTV with audio upgrades

The guide also shows you how to shop smart and lists the best places to buy your HDTV and popular accessories to pump up your system. With up-to-date knowledge on the latest technology in the market today, HDTV for Dummies gives you a clear picture of what HDTV can do for your viewing experience!

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Be prepared when you head to the electronics store!

Here's what you need to know to buy, set up, and make the most of HDTV

Plasma or LCD? 720p or 1080p? Blu-ray or HD DVD? Confused? What you need is this handy guide — it answers those questions and a whole lot more. It helps you choose the right HDTV for your needs, find sources of HDTV broadcasts, install and configure your system, and hook up cool HDTV sources like disc players, PCs, and game consoles.

Discover how to

• Translate the jargon, standards, and acronyms
• Incorporate HDTV into your home theater
• Be sure you're getting true HD channels
• Add a game console
• Prepare for the transition to digital TV

About the Author

Danny Briere founded TeleChoice, Inc., a telecommunications consulting company, in 1985 and now serves as CEO of the company. Widely known throughout the telecommunications and networking industry, Danny has written more than 1,000 articles about telecommunications topics and has authored or edited ten books, including Smart Homes For Dummies (now in its second edition), Wireless Home Networking For Dummies (now in its second edition), Wireless Hacks and Mods For Dummies, Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 PC For Dummies, and Home Theater For Dummies (now in its second edition). He is frequently quoted by leading publications on telecommunications and technology topics and can often be seen on major TV networks, providing analysis on the latest communications news and breakthroughs. Danny splits his time between Mansfield Center, Connecticut, and his island home on Great Diamond Island, ME, with his wife and four children.

Pat Hurley is Director of Research with TeleChoice, Inc., specializing in emerging telecommunications and digital home technologies, particularly all the latest consumer electronics, access gear, and home technologies, including wireless LANs, DSL, cable modems, satellite services, and homenetworking services. Pat frequently consults with the leading telecommunications carriers, equipment vendors, consumer goods manufacturers, and other players in the telecommunications and consumer electronics industries. Pat is the co-author of Smart Homes For Dummies, Wireless Home Networking For Dummies, Wireless Hacks and Mods for Dummies, Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 PC For Dummies, and Home Theater For Dummies. He lives in San Diego, California, with his wife, a fiery red-headed toddler named Annabel, and two smelly dogs.

Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 2 edition (January 10, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 047009673X
• ISBN-13: 978-0470096734
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #226,177 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Full of valuable info-- read it cover to cover, January 12, 2005

By 

M. Layne (Indianapolis) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: HDTV For Dummies (Paperback)

I can't stress enough what a great book this really is. If you're going to spend $$ on an HDTV, you owe it to yourself to buy this book first and make sure you're making the best choice for you. This book clears up all of the confusion you'll be faced with at the store-- unscrambles the acronymns, explains the difference between HDTV, EDTV, and SDTV and defines all of the confusing features.

Also great for explaining how to set up your connections to all of your other home entertainment devices and your home network if you want to do that-- getting the right cables, configuring them optimally for your application.

And the diagrams!-- so easy to understand! So much better than what you'll see in the manuals-- worth well over the price of the book on their own.

Information in here on selecting the right DVR options for you, too-- and good stuff for the DIY'er if you already have broadband and don't want to purchase your DVR and service from the cable company.

Anyone who sells HDTVs should read this book cover to cover and have it on hand as a recommendation to customers.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Education, March 1, 2006

By 

R. Barry Bischoff (Peoria, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: HDTV For Dummies (Paperback)

I ordered HDTV for Dummies, expecting to learn a little bit about purchasing an HDTV and got a much better education than I expected. Thanks to the book I will now, 1) wait for a 1080P quality set, 2) make sure I use digital connections and 3) know how to connect a surround sound system. I recommend this book to anyone thinking about upgrading to HDTV.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HDTV Confusion Erased, February 3, 2006

By 

Frank Depalma "Frank" (Baltimore, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: HDTV For Dummies (Paperback)

I know that for me the price was a drop in the bucket compared to my equipment and I enjoy the confidence that I'm getting the most from my investment - I even understand what 1080i means!

If you're even thinking of making the jump to HDTV this is the right guide for you. It'll take away the confusion of acronyms, interconnections, and formats to let you get the most out of whatever set you buy.