Is HD tv worth it? Confused by 'HD ready' and HD.

[GreenTuftyFlowers]

If I get an HD tv will ALL telly look different (better?), or only certain channels? What does 'HD ready' mean? TIA :)

Have you googled? There will be lots of articles on this.

Yes, they seem inconclusive and mostly unhelpful though. I understand that HD has better resolution in theory.

Basically I need a new 32 inch tv for living room, will be being viewed at distances of around 6 - 12 feet. Not looking to spend lots, so wondered whether it's worth spending extra for full HD or not - it's not THAT much more, but if it's fairly pointless for my needs may as well get HD ready.

I understand it as some programmes are filmed in HD so they will automatically show inHD. Normal programmes will just look normal

So if I'm watching say BBC1 on a HD tv, some progs will appear in HD and some not, depending on whether the prog itself is HD?

Sorry, I mean on my freeview TV they play but HD is different channel. So channel 1 is BBC but 101 is BBC HD there’s about 8 HD. So it is possible to flick from bbc1 to HD and see slight difference. I only have a small TV I imagine a bigger one would look more impressive. Not sure if you have Sky they just play best version as standard.

For me it’s like a slight change In glasses prescription and things are sharper!

I cant tell the difference between HD and standard TV. The kids and DH tell me the HD channels are clearer.

On a 32" screen, I honestly do t think you will see a difference. I would buy a HD ready tv, which will still show programmes (in normal definition) if the tv broadcasters decide to make all programmes in HD format.

Yes, it's worth it. We have only watched HD channels for a while now, they are considerably better resolution. You will particularly notice on Drama's, nature programs and films. If you have an HD TV and switch between a standard TV signal and an HD one, the quality difference is very noticable.

Well worth it and you can tell the difference. People who say you can’t are lying

OP, what is your budget? I'd be looking beyond the "HD Ready" Tv's as they're out of date, given they were around 10 years ago. If you have the budget I'd be at least looking at 4k smart tv's in your size. These were already around 5 years ago now at the premium end and have come down no OLED and QLED are top end (with 8k at premium).

I can't tell the difference in normal and HD.
DH swears he can, but I've caught him out a few times when he's asked me to switch to HD and I've already been on it!

It doesn't help that on our TV the normal channels are the lowest numbers, and you have to scroll for ages to get to the HD channels.

I'm not lying, Knickknacky. I personally cant tell you if we are watching HD or not. Everyone else in the house knows instantly if it can be switched to an HD version. For me, I truly couldn't tell the difference even when DH stood there fliked between the HD and standard version of BBC1.

Blimey it's obviously contentious! 😂

Thanks for all experiences so far :)

Budget £200 - £250 ish. Would consider a bit more if there is definite benefit.

There is huge difference between the quality but at your price point, combined with tv size & distance of viewing, there would be absolutely no point in you wasting your money.

Also HD is only available on selected tv channels & I'm almost positive that nothig on UK television is currently screened in 4K.

Buy something that has mod cons that you want instead, built in Netflix/dvd player/numerous USB ports etc.

Tabbycat - well there's another point of confusion! TV currently connected to BT box which has Netflix etc, plus recording facility. Presumably smart TV wont have recording facility (as well as apps) so no point ditching BT box?

Also, want to move old (non smart) tv to upstairs, so how will that work? Have Amazon stick but that is all.
head explodes

Like others have said, if you buy something HD ready then it will be obsolete already. We're already onto ultra HD (4K) and the Ultra, Ultra HD (8k) has already launched.

There is a difference. Most Freeview channels are in HD now. Unless you are constantly sitting watching reruns of TV shows from the 80s on Gold, you will be able to see a difference.

We have an external hard drive attached to the TV for recording purposes. But we also have a Humax box which we also sometimes use (though now there's catch up TV via the smart TV we rarely actually record anything).

Smart tv can scroll back through last week's schedule to watch, eliminating the need to record, apparently

Also looking for exactly the same thing!

If you have a branch of richer sounds near you it's well worth going in. They don't treat you like an idiot for not understanding what you want prices are the same as most other places and they give a long guarantee.

I used to work for sky. They told us that only 1 in 4 can actually see a difference. I personally can't.

I can see the difference and I think it's worth it for certain programmes, like nature programmes and so on.

However you should be aware that some TV services that you pay for charge extra for the HD option. I believe that both SKY and Virgin charge extra to be able to access their HD services, or at least they did last time I looked. It's worth double checking that.

The BBC ones and other free HD ones are typically free though.

Thanks for all the replies :)

Seems it's not a straightforward subject so not just me being thick lol, I feel a bit better!

Maybe I'll pop into Currys (no Richer Sounds nearby sadly) and see if I can see the difference - I have had a look before, but the screens all look different in different ways iyswim.

No Sky, just Freeview. We have BT but I try and avoid paying extra for their TV packages as we don't use the extra channels, and the BT box is paid off so effectively free.

That Samsung looks good flouncy.

Going in to Currys won't solve the problem I am afraid. They only run the manufacturers approved visuals on the TV's. They can't show you a "normal" TV signal which is, frankly, a pita, as that is what you need to see.