High-definition television (HDTV) appears more life-like as it is a better-quality image than standard definition television. The greater number of lines of resolution provides some 2-5 times the visual detail and gaps between scan lines are narrower or invisible to the naked eye. A HD source is essential for modern, larger display sizes. Commonly a resolution of 720p is referred to as high definition (HD) and the higher resolution of 1080p as Full HD.

HDTV has a widescreen aspect ratio, commonly 16:9 (wide:high) compared to the traditional 4:3 aspect ratio of legacy standard definition TV broadcasts.

HDTV Standards

The ATSC standards were developed by the Advanced Television Systems Committee. They will replace the existing analog NTSC television system by February 17, 2009 in the United States, and August 31, 2011 in Canada.
Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) is a body of internationally accepted, open, digital television standards. They are maintained by the DVB Project, an industry consortium comprising more than 270 members The standards are published by a Joint Technical Committee (JTC) of European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC) and European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

HDTV Sound

While HDTV delivers a superior visual experience, it just as significantly provides an improved auditory experience. The ATSC standard includes Dolby Digital Surround Sound capability which encompasses surround sound as opposed to only stereo sound of NTSC. Note that this does not mean that every broadcast will come with surround sound.

Dolby Digital provides 5.1 sound which is actually six audio channels. Briefly the channels carry the following audio;

Center Channel: Dialogue
Two Front, Side Channels: left and right sound cues and soundtrack in stereo.
Two Surround (rear) Channels: left and right provide sense of surrounding or 3D sound field
LFE (low frequency effects) Channel: provides the low or deep bass sounds corresponding to rumbles or explosions as examples.

Top 5 Bestselling 1080p LCD HDTVs

Samsung LN52A650 52-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV with Red Touch of Color
Samsung LN46A550 46-inch 1080p LCD HDTV
Samsung LN46A750 46-Inch 1080p DLNA LCD HDTV with RED Touch of Color
Samsung LN40A550 40-inch 1080p LCD HDTV
Samsung LN46A650 46-inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV with RED Touch of Color

Top 5 Bestselling 720p LCD HDTVs

Samsung LN32A450 32-inch 720p LCD HDTV
Samsung LN26A450 26-Inch 720p LCD HDTV
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Samsung LN19A450 19-Inch 720p LCD HDTV Black

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Samsung PN50A550 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV
Panasonic Viera TH-42PZ800U 42-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV
Panasonic Viera TH-46PZ85U 46-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV
Samsung PN50A650 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV with RED Touch of Color
Samsung PN58A550 58-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV

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Samsung PN42A450 42-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV
Panasonic Viera TH-50PX80U 50-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV
Samsung PN50A450 50-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV
Panasonic Viera TH-42PX80U 42-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV

Top 5 Bestselling 1080p DLP Projection HDTVs

Samsung HLT6187SAX 61″ Slim LED Engine 1080p DLP HDTV
Samsung HLT5687SAX 56″ Slim LED Engine 1080p DLP HDTV
Samsung HLT5087SAX 50″ Slim LED Engine 1080p DLP HDTV
Samsung HLT5076S 50″ UltraSlim 1080p DLP HDTV
Mitsubishi WD-65734 65″ 1080p DLP HDTV