HDTV

A HDTV without DVI/HDCP is on the verge of becoming obsolete within a year or two. According to a report by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) the over-the-air signals throughout the US are going to be converted to pure digital formats from January 1, 2007. Hence, a HDTV without DVI/HDCP will be worthless after that.

HDCP - High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection

HDCP (High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection) is an important connection that has brought a new wave of high definition entertainment choices for customers. HDCP ensures safe digital connection between superior quality HDTV and set-top-box. It is not only good news for customers, but also for content providers.

Intel Corporation is the developer of HDCP. Currently, it is being made available and preserved by Digital Content Protection LLC. Hence, it becomes necessary for the manufacturers of consumer electronics to get a license to ensure that the copyrights of content delivered via DVI connections are safe. In fact, this is a means to make the manufacturers to dance to the tunes of content providers. In other words, one can say that Hollywood striving to utilize DVI to retrieve control of their content.

DVI - Digital Visual Interface

DVI (Digital Visual Interface) enables a high-speed uncompressed link between a HDTV set and personal computer or any other DVI-based electronic appliance. The biggest advantage of DVI is the uncompressed transmission of high definition video. It is not visible when you receive the high definition programming; it undergoes a transformation from the source, through the set-top box, and to the TV screen.

The good thing about DVI is that only one component cable is needed to transmit the red-blue-green signal and the speed of picture delivery is remarkably greater than the analog component cables. This makes the viewing experience on Plasma TVs, DLP, and LCDs, an enjoyable one.

DVI/HDCP sends image in an uncompressed layout. Hence, it supports real intricate graphic displays and user interfaces that are found in program guides and other features meant for HDTV. The absolute power transmitted through the DVI connection allows the display devices to maintain the picture quality created by content providers and set-top boxes. This gives good viewing experience to the customers.

Always purchase a HDTV with DVI/HDCP

For a worthy investment, it is best to purchase a HDTV or any other consumer electronics appliance (DVR, DVD player, or set-top-box) with either DVI/HDCP, or HDMI/HDCP. Within a year or two, DVI will change to HDMI, which is the next version of DVI. HDMI requires a small size, handy connector and offers a longer range of transmission. It is also capable of transmitting multiple types of video signals. HDMI has immense scope for expansion and is also encouraged by some of the big manufacturers of consumer electronics. Hence, HDMI is here to stay for long. It would not be advisable to purchase a HDTV without either DVI/HDCP or HDMI/HDCP. A TV without either of these technologies will soon become useless and obsolete.

Alas! There are a number of TV dealers, who have still not realized the significance of DVI/HDCP. A slew of new exclusive TVs are launched in the market without DVI/HDCP input.

CRT HDTV with DVI/HDCP

TV sets based on CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) technology can also enjoy the benefit of DDVI/HDCP. This is because CRT HDTVs convert the signal to digital form for transmission. However, CRT HDTV may not get benefit equal to that received by digital HDTVs.

Tips for Buyers

• While buying a new TV that costs more than $1000, ensure that it has DVI/HDCP input.
• Do not buy a fixed pixel TV, i.e., without CRT technology that has a non-standard native resolution. It will not facilitate 1x1 pixel mapping, and getting the best picture quality will become a distant dream. It may seem to be difficult to avoid a fixed pixel TV, as non-standard resolutions have actually multiplied in Plasma TVs, RPTVs, and front projectors. But it is worth the effort to do so.
• TV stores display the picture via component connection. This is of little use to the buyer. It is prudent to take a DVD player with DVI input, along with you, to check out the TV. This also helps to compare television picture quality in different stores.
• HDTV with three DVI inputs is ideal. However, such HDTVs are not available at present, and only a handful of them come with two DVI inputs. They are the ones launched two years back. 
• While connecting the appliances to fixed pixel television sets (Plasma, DLP, LCD, LCoS), it is crucial to get a single pixel mapping for the best picture quality.

The world of electronics is changing from analog to digital. Hence, it becomes indispensable to convert the connections between household electronic devices into digital. This renovation is already complete for audio devices. And for visual devices, DVI epitomizes this foreseeable change. Therefore, to keep in pace with the technology, go digital!