What is an HD-ready TV, and is it still worth it?

Are HD Ready TVs still relevant today?

What is an HD-ready TV, and is it still worth it?

Let’s be honest for a moment: buying a TV isn’t as simple as it used to be. Not only do you need to consider screen size, brand, and price, but also features, technology, and overall performance.

One thing that can really confuse you is the display resolution, which is basically how many pixels make up your TV’s picture. The more pixels, the sharper and more detailed the image will be. Display resolution directly impacts your viewing experience, so understanding it is key to choosing the right TV.

You might have likely come across terms like “HD Ready” and “Full HD” while shopping for a TV and if you didn’t fully understand what they mean or how they differ, you aren’t alone. Here’s exactly what an HD Ready TV is, and whether it is still worth buying in today’s market.

What is an HD Ready TV?

As you might know, the term HD refers to High Definition and relates to the resolution of your TV screen. HD Ready, however, is a term that’s a bit different and somewhat confusing.

ALSO READ: TV viewing distance guide: Choosing the right screen size

It first appeared in 2005 when TVs were transitioning from standard definition (640×480 pixels) to HD (1920×1080 pixels). But here’s where things get a bit confusing. Despite the “HD” tag, HD Ready TVs actually have a resolution of 1366×768 pixels, meaning they aren’t technically HD. So, you might be wondering how they manage to show HD content.

HD Ready TVs basically do this via internal processors that downscale and adjust the image resolution to fit their screen. This results in better picture quality than standard definition (640×480 pixels), but it’s not true HD. So, HD Ready is close to HD, but not quite there. Full HD TVs, on the other hand, offer a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels, also known as 1080p. That’s what you’ll currently find on most TVs, Blu-ray players, and video content

Are HD Ready TVs worth buying?

HD Ready TVs started out as the budget-friendly choice for people who didn’t want to spend a fortune on a new Full HD TV. But in 2024, Full HD TVs are affordably priced and offer better features, so buying an HD Ready TV right now hardly makes sense.

Product in focus

Croma CREL032HCC331801 80 cm (32 inch) HD Ready LED Linux TV with Dolby Audio (2024 model)

Price ₹8,490/-

Buy now
Croma CREL032HCC331801 80 cm (32 inch) HD Ready LED Linux TV with Dolby Audio (2024 model)

The market is flooded with true HD TVs in all sizes and prices from multiple brands including SOny, Samsung and LG, and with every TV company now releasing 4K and ultra-HD TV screens, packed with pixels and a whole suite of features at not-so-premium prices, there’s little reason to settle for less. However, if you’re in the market for a secondary screen or simply don’t mind the difference in picture quality, then an HD Ready TV can still make sense.

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