| Uninformed consumers expect that every digital TV | | | | but this tends to reduce the clarity of the picture. High |
| will provide a clearer and sharper picture compared to | | | | definition TV is shown using 720i or even 1080i |
| their analogue counterparts. This expectation has also | | | | resolutions. |
| extended to their favourite gaming console. While | | | | Progressive scanning produces crisper and sharper |
| some high definition television brands and models will | | | | pictures with no flickering compared to interlaced |
| meet this expectation, others can disappoint gamers | | | | scanning for the same picture frame rate. High |
| who are looking for that fantastic gaming experience. | | | | definition pictures are shown using either 720p, 1080p, |
| Manufacturers of High Definition Television (HDTV) | | | | 1440p or 2160p resolutions where the "p" stands for |
| sets provide elaborate specifications about their | | | | progressive scanning. HDTV with progressive scanning |
| models as part of the advertising and promotion | | | | is usually more expensive than the lower resolution |
| campaigns. However, most consumers don't fully | | | | HDTV models. A typical LCD computer monitor |
| understand what these specifications really mean and | | | | resolution will start at 720p and may support higher |
| why they are important in making their decision on | | | | resolutions. |
| which HDTV to buy for gaming purposes. | | | | 4. Higher Refresh Rates Are Better For Gaming |
| The main thing to understand is that high definition TV | | | | Picture frame refresh rate is a measure (in Hertz or |
| was designed for broadcast television viewing and not | | | | Hz) of how many times per second each picture |
| for gaming consoles. Gaming console makers are | | | | frame is refreshed on a video display. Generally, the |
| constantly adapting or redesigning their gaming | | | | higher the refresh rate, the faster the display can |
| consoles to match the standards set down for high | | | | respond to changing pixel colours thus reducing, and in |
| definition digital broadcasting and displays. Some of the | | | | some cases eliminating, picture blurring and judder |
| higher priced HDTV brands offer direct gaming | | | | when watching fast moving action scenes such as live |
| console modes that are matched for popular gaming | | | | football. |
| consoles. | | | | LCD screens that have a high response time (in |
| This article provides a brief education on the 5 key | | | | milliseconds or ms) are often unsuitable for playing fast |
| factors to consider when looking for a HDTV for | | | | paced computer games. A response time of less than |
| playing video games. This will assist you to make an | | | | 15ms is considered to be sufficient for most video |
| informed decision without the confusion that surrounds | | | | gaming given the human eye can not perceive |
| gaming with the Sony Play Station 3 (PS3), Microsoft | | | | changes faster than about 10ms. Brand name LCD |
| XBox 360, or the Nintendo Wii. | | | | HDTV manufacturers are producing models with |
| 1. Bigger HDTV Screen Sizes Are Better For | | | | 120Hz refresh rates and 4ms pixel response rates |
| GamingThe bigger the screen, the easier it will be to | | | | which is adequate for gaming consoles. |
| see the details in the graphics used in the games. | | | | 5. HDTV With Game Mode Is Better For Gaming |
| Games appear to be more realistic with larger | | | | More recently, some HDTV makers have recognised |
| screens. If your HDTV screen is not large enough, then | | | | that consumers also want to use their high definition |
| you may see a black strip at the top and bottom or | | | | televisions to play fast-action online and console |
| sides of the picture to make the game fit within the | | | | games. This has lead to the development of a "games |
| screen. Consider HDTV screens that are greater than | | | | mode" to give you an instant reaction with the game |
| 24inches (60cm) in size. | | | | controller. The principle behind the game mode is to |
| 2. LCD Screens Are Better Than Plasma For Gaming | | | | optimize the reaction time and the picture quality of the |
| Plasma HDTV screens can suffer from "image | | | | TV to be closely matched with the higher resolution |
| burn-in" from constantly playing the same video | | | | 1080p capable video game consoles such as the PS3 |
| games. Image burn-in occurs when static images are | | | | to give the gamer more realism. |
| left displayed on a plasma screen for very long | | | | What You Need To Know About The Popular |
| periods. This is the case with some video games that | | | | Gaming Consoles |
| don't have a changing backgrounds. Liquid Crystal | | | | The Nintendo Wii only provides support for up to 480p |
| Display (LCD) HDTV screens like those used for | | | | resolution so you don't need a HDTV for using this |
| computer monitors, do not suffer from burn-in | | | | gaming console. The XBox 360 gaming console |
| problems. | | | | supports 720p and 1080i resolutions so it can be used |
| 3. Higher Scanning Resolutions Are Better For Gaming | | | | with a HD TV. The PS3 supports 480i, 480p, 720p, |
| Makers of HD TV use two different scanning | | | | 1080i and 1080p resolutions making it a versatile gaming |
| mechanisms to produce a picture on a HDTV screen. | | | | console that can be used with a broader range of high |
| One mechanism is an "interlaced raster scan" and the | | | | definition TV display resolutions. |
| other is a "progressive scan". A progressive scan will | | | | Recommendations |
| display all the horizontal lines that make up each picture | | | | When shopping for a HDTV for gaming consoles, look |
| frame in sequence. In comparison to an interlaced | | | | for at least a 24inch (60cm) LCD screen that supports |
| scan, all the odd horizontal lines are shown first and | | | | 720p and 1080p, offer at least a 100Hz refresh rate |
| then alternately the even horizontal lines of the picture | | | | and has a game mode. As with all technology, you |
| changing back to the odd lines in rapid succession. | | | | basically get what you pay for. But given that high |
| A standard definition TV (SDTV) uses 525 (US | | | | definition digital sets are continuing to come down in |
| NTSC) or 625 (Europe PAL) horizontal lines and is also | | | | price, it is worth looking at HDTV models that can also |
| known as "480i resolution" for US NTSC and "576i | | | | support gaming consoles such as the PS3 and the |
| resolution" for PAL where the "i" stands for interlaced | | | | XBox 360. Make sure you change the settings on |
| raster scanning. Interlaced video produces an annoying | | | | both your HDTV set and your gaming console to |
| flicker that blurs the detail of video pictures. The flicker | | | | support HD resolutions to experience the best these |
| can be reduced with special filtering called anti-aliasing | | | | technologies have to offer. |