How to Hook Up an HD Television

HDTVs are becoming increasingly affordable, and many folks are in the market for their first one. However, hooking up an HDTV is not as easy as merely plugging in some cords.
To receive high-definition channels, you must have an HD receiver, so you may have to upgrade your cable or satellite receiver. If you do not subscribe to a cable or satellite network, you can receive some local HD channels if your TV is equipped with a built-in HD tuner.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• HDMI cables
• DVI cable (optional)
• Component cable (optional)

1. Choose a cable to hook your television up to your receiver. There are several cable choices that will provide you with high-definition video. HDMI cables will provide you with both high-definition video and audio, and are the best choice for hooking up your HDTV. They can be quite expensive, however. DVI cables will provide you with high-definition video but not high-definition audio, for which you will need a separate audio cable. Component cables, the red, white and yellow cables that most likely come with your television, support high-definition video, but not audio. Component cables are the cheapest option, but there can be a noticeable difference in video quality.
   All HD receivers will have connections for HDMI, DVI and component cables, so simply connect your chosen cable from your television to the receiver.

2. Make sure the settings on your HD receiver are set correctly. Most HD receivers will automatically recognize your HD television, but you may have to change the settings on your receiver to match the settings on your television.

3. Test your television to make sure you are receiving HD content. Most prime-time shows on major networks will be broadcast in HD, and you can compare HD broadcasts with non-HD broadcasts to see if there's a difference.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy cheap HDMI cables. Salespeople will often try to sell you expensive HDMI cables when you purchase your TV, but there is no recognizable difference between a $100 cable and a $10 cable.