HDTV For Dummies [Paperback]

Danny Briere (Author), Pat Hurley (Author)

Book Description

Series: For Dummies | Publication Date: November 19, 2004

Get HDTV and get connected without getting confused!

Buy wisely, surround yourself with sound, watch your movies in HD, and more.

If HDTV looks appealing but the mountain of mumbo-jumbo has you peeling out the door, take heart! Finally, here's a plain-English explanation of what HDTV is and how to choose one, hook it up, locate and access programming sources, and even how to connect your movie machines and Xbox for even more HD fun.

Discover how to:

• Plan your HDTV system and choose the right equipment.
• Connect to programming sources.
• Add A/V entertainment gear and accessories.
• Access HDTV over your home network.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Get HDTV and get connected without getting confused!

Buy wisely, surround yourself with sound, watch your movies in HD, and more

If HDTV looks appealing but the mountain of mumbo-jumbo has you peeling out the door, take heart! Finally, here's a plain-English explanation of what HDTV is and how to choose one, hook it up, locate and access programming sources, and even how to connect your movie machines and Xbox for even more HD fun.

Discover how to

• Plan your HDTV system and choose the right equipment
• Connect to programming sources
• Add A/V entertainment gear and accessories
• Get HD action on your Xbox®
• Access HDTV over your home network

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 one thousand articles about telecommunications topics and has authored or edited ten books, including Internet Telephony For Dummies, Smart Homes For Dummies (now in its second edition), Wireless Home Networking For Dummies, Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 PC For Dummies, and Home Theater For Dummies. 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.

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 home-networking 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 coauthor of Internet Telephony For Dummies, Smart Homes For Dummies, Wireless Home Networking For Dummies, Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 PC For Dummies, and Home Theater For Dummies.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies (November 19, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764575864
• ISBN-13: 978-0764575860
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,845,159 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.