Battery-powered TVs suddenly turn digital

By BILL HUSTED

Cox News Service

October 28, 2008

Q: With all the hoopla about the digital TV switch-over in February, are there any portable TVs on the market with digital tuning capability?

— George Joslyn

A: There are plenty of these small battery-operated digital televisions on the market now. That wasn't true just a few months ago. So things are changing rapidly and I expect to see the selection increase and prices drop over the next few months.

I'll offer one example of a set with a 7-inch screen and a tuner that will pull in both analog and digital broadcasts. It's from Radio Shack and sells for about $200. You can see it online at www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2855063. If you go to one of the stores, ask for the Accurian 7 Portable Handheld TV, catalog number 16-454.

If you do a Google search such as this one you'll find dozens in various sizes: portable digital tv.

These battery-operated televisions are more than a novelty for many readers, I have learned. Those living in hurricane-prone areas use them to get over-the-air news broadcasts to keep abreast of storm conditions when the power is out. Q: About five years ago I purchased a 50-inch Hitachi TV. One of the selling points was that the TV was HD-ready vs. HD built-in. As more stations are transmitting HDTV programs, I can notice the picture is clearer and has more definition than before. Is what I'm seeing real HDTV? When the stations are mandated to transmit digital signals, will what I receive from my cable company be real HDTV or will I need to get a converter box?

— Harry Marvo

A: Your e-mail gives me a chance to explain the difference between "HD-ready" and a true high definition set. HD-ready means that the set needs to be connected to a high definition receiver to get over-the-air HDTV signals. A true HDTV has the tuner built in.

As far as the signal you're getting, that depends on your cable service package. Typically you'd need an HDTV cable box and HDTV programming in order to get the best picture.

Please send your questions to Bill Husted at tecbud@bellsouth.net. While he reads every e-mail, not all are answered. E-mails are selected for publication based on the likelihood that the answers will be of general interest.