HD-Ready or Full HD?

Expect to hear these two phrases from salesmen at electronics stores these days: HD-Ready and Full HD.

Both terms mean that the television screen can display HD, or high-definition, images, except that an HD-ready TV set offers a slightly lower resolution than a Full HD one.

HD-Ready - This means the screen is "ready" for HD content. In other words, it supports some-but not all-of the HD resolutions out there.

Specifically, the resolution supported here is known as 1080i, which means the TV screen can display 1080 lines in an interlaced manner (i stands for interlaced). Half of the 1080 lines appear at quick, alternate interval - in effect there are only 540 lines at any one time, but your eyes are tricked into seeing the extra detail. For most people, a 1080i or HD-ready TV set is good enough. The reason: most TV programmes are likely to be broadcast in 1080i any way.

Full HD - However, if you want the prettiest eye candy, the latest TV sets come with what is known as Full HD.

This usually means the screen can display images at 1080p - p stands for progressive scan.

Unlike HD-ready or 1080i, Full HD means the TV set can display a full 1080 lines at once, which offers more detail.

Purists call this true HD, and will bet their bottom dollar that the difference is apparent to the discerning eyes.

1080p is also supported in the latest game consoles, so some gamers have been known to buy 1080p TV screens to enjoy their games at the highest resolution.

A Full-HD TV set can cost 20% more than an HD-ready one.

Our thanks to Dan Peterson for this informative article on the difference between HD-Ready and Full HD HDTVs.