Features

VESA Mountable

VESA stands for Video Electronics Standards Association. This gives users the size of VESA fixing needed to mount the screen on the wall. VESA is a standardised system, where mounting holes are typically 100 x 100mm apart on the rear of the panel.

HDTV (High Definition)

HDTV brings enhanced resolutions to the domestic TV set in two standards; a vertical resolution of 720p and 1080i, the P and I represent the scanning method used - P is a progressive scan which scans every line of the screen once and I is for interlaced, the same as the PAL system where alternate lines are scanned on each frame.

What can be confusing is that HDTV is used to refer to several things: a type of display device, a digital broadcast method and a special way to produce TV shows and films. Viewing nirvana is achieved when all three parts of HDTV converge; a programme of film, that is produced using High Definition technology, is transmitted via an HDTV television signal (from an HDTV channel), and enjoyed on an HDTV display (preferably a projector) with a surround sound home theatre audio set up.

Watching regular TV or a DVD on a HDTV is visually stunning. More people are using HD products and eventually this will be a standard format. The encoders used for HDTV are complex compared to the DTV standards in use on for example the Bskyb platform, here a single encoder creates an MPEG2 transport stream of anywhere between 2.5 and 6 mbits, but HDTV is far more bandwidth intensive requiring at least 15mbits possibly much more depending on the nature of the material encoded. The HDTV encoder is also increased in complexity using overlapping encoding, whereby a number of encoders work together to encode the image, each encoders area to scan is overlapped to minimise artefacts around the boundaries.

HDTV Resolution

Resolution, or picture detail, is the main reason why HDTV programs look so good. The standard-definition programming most users watch today has at most 480 visible lines of detail, whereas HDTV has as many as 1080. HDTV looks sharper and clearer than regular TV by a wide margin, especially on big-screen televisions. It comes in two different resolutions, called 1080i and 720p.

One is not necessarily better than the other; 1080i has more lines and pixels, but 720p is a progressive-scan format that should deliver a smoother image that stays sharper during motion. Another format is also becoming more well-known: 1080p, which combines the superior resolution of 1080i with the progressive-scan smoothness of 720p. True 1080p content is extremely scarce however and none of the major networks have announced 1080p broadcasts.

HD Ready

A HD ready TV must have HDMI or DVI connectivity in order to accept a digital signal from the HD receiving equipment. It must also have a resolution of either 720 or 1080 lines. Some monitors do not have this resolution but can support it through compression.

15 Pin D Sub "PC-VGA"

This connection allows users to run lms and display photos on their projector directly from a PC.

178º Viewing Angle

This ultra-wide viewing angle means users can view their television screen from almost anywhere in the room, without having to put up with a reduction in the colour, contrast or brightness of the image.

24P True Cinema

This is ideal for cinema lovers. 24p means 24 frames per second - the format used to shoot most major lms today. A TV without 24p True Cinema can't handle that format and has to adapt and distort it by speeding up the lm slightly. A screen with 24p True Cinema doesn't have to change anything at all (as long as it's hooked up to the player via an HDMI^TM or Component cable).

Blu Ray DiskT "Player

With at least five times the capacity of a DVD, the Blu-ray Disc^TM can store content in the superior quality of HD 1080p. That means Sony's range of Blu-ray Disc^TM players can play back HD discs that an old DVD player just can't handle.

Bracket

For all wall mountable LCD TVs we offer an optional bracket, allowing users to mount their TV on the wall or ceiling and in some cases also rotate or tilt the TV to suit the room.

Bravia

Bravia stands for Best Resolution Audio Visual Integrated Architecture: the brand name for Sony's TVs and projectors.

Bravia Engine

The Bravia engine is the unique technology that digitally enhances the picture to give users cleaner images, higher contrast, better colours and smoother motion sequences.

Bravia Engine Pro

This is the highest level of Bravia Engine picture enhancement. It gives users unparalleled picture quality and even enhances the actual High Definition signals.

Bravia Sync

The improved version of Bravia Theatre Sync brings the menu of a handheld device directly to users TV screens. All users have to do is press the new 'Sync Menu' button on their remote.

Bravia Theatre Sync

When users press the 'Theatre' button on their remote it instantly adjusts all the devices that make up the home entertainment system to ideal settings for lms, with a great surround sound experience. Both Bravia Sync and Bravia Theatre Sync depend on the system being connected via HDMI^TM with CEC.

Component

A component is a 3-phono connection that splits the video signal into three parts, one for brightness and two for colour. The extra colour information it carries results in a more detailed and textured picture.

Composite Video

A composite video is a video connection that doesn't differentiate between brightness and colour, but instead combines them in a single transmission.

Contrast Ratio

The higher the contrast ratio number, the better the contrast in the users picture. Please note: Don't confuse "on-screen" with "dynamic" - those are two different things.

Dynamic Contrast Ratio

A dynamic contrast ratio is the measure of the darkest and brightest colours a TV can produce, also taking changes in backlight brightness into account.

Floating Design

A floating design concept by Philips which features a translucent edge; the screen seems to hover lightly above the surface it rests on, creating a magical window into a world of colour and detail.

Frame

The outer frame of the Bravia X3000 Series can be exchanged for one in a different colour. Please Note: Not to be confused with frames per second.

Graphical Interface

An on-screen menu that uses graphical icons to provide easy guidance for users.

HD 1080 / 24P support

An HD ready TV plays back HD 1080 / 24p content by scaling down the picture to HD ready resolution. If an HD ready BRAVIA has HD 1080 / 24p support, the scaled-down picture will be all the smoother.

MPEG4 AVC" HD DECODER1"

This is an integrated High Definition TV free-to-air digital tuner.

HDMIT

The High Definition Multimedia Interface is the new digital version of the good old analogue SCART connection. SCART doesn't work with HD, HDMI^TM does. Just one HDMI^TM cable can hook up virtually any HD device to users LCD's.

HDMIT connection

The HDMI^TM connection (found either on the side or the back of the LCD) is where the all-important HDMI^TM cable gets plugged in.

HDMIT with CEC

CEC stands for Consumer Electronics Control and, as the name implies, it gives users one-button control over a whole bunch of products when hooked up in a home cinema system.

HIGH DEFINITION

HD is the new picture format that's known for its incredible resolution. Better resolution makes outstanding visual clarity and detail possible and HD even improves the quality and crispness of the sound.

HD ready

An HD ready TV has a screen resolution of at least 720 lines, which is already twice that of the old Standard Definition TVs. This is the least users need to enjoy the superior High Definition experience.

HD 1080i

This is also HD ready, but in a format that is fully five times as good as Standard Definition TV. HD 1080p is the most advanced HD ready.

HD 1080p

This format, also classed as HD ready, is the absolute best home users can get with an even smoother picture than the 1080i.

Scart Socket

A Scart socket is the most common method of connecting audiovisual equipment. This type of port makes the connection of video devices much simpler by providing users with one plug that contains all the necessary signals.

S-Video

An S-Video is a 4-pin connector that enhances the clarity of an image by separating the chrominance and luminance in any one video signal, during transmission.

Pixel

Pixel stands for 'picture element'. It's the tiniest unit of colour, making up a small part of the whole image displayed on the screen.

Viewing Distance

When users sit at this distance and the image appears the picture of perfection.

Virtual Dolby® Surround

An audio technology built into LCD TV's that simulates the effect of a full surround-sound system from two stereo speakers.

Table-Top Stand

This is the 'foot' you see supporting some TVs.

Integrated Digital Terrestrial !DVB-T"

Most LCD televisions come with a built-in digital tuner so users can watch digital programmes without having to buy an extra set-top box (they can show analogue programmes as well).

Resolution

The number of pixels displayed on the screen. The higher this number the better the picture, as each pixel adds an element of detail to the image the user sees.

RJ45

An RJ45 is an incredibly useful port that allows users to set up the projector from their PC, quickly and easily. Changes and adjustments to menus can be made from a computer, even if the PC's in another room.