HDTV made high-resolution viewing mainstream. Today, comparisons still matter as 4K, HDR, OLED/QLED, and smart features expand choices. Focus on resolution, panel type, inputs, durability, and value when buying.
An updated explanation of what "HDTV Ready" meant, why the label was useful in the 2000s, and what buyers should check today - native resolution, inputs (HDMI/HDCP), and modern standards like 4K/UHD.
Plasma displays used ionized gas cells to deliver deep blacks, wide viewing angles, and smooth motion. Once popular for large HDTVs, plasmas were phased out in the mid-2010s as LED/LCD and OLED technologies matured.
"HD Ready" originally meant a TV could accept HD signals (720p/1080i) but didn't guarantee a native 1080p panel or built-in tuner. Today, look for native resolution, HDMI version, HDR, and HDCP support rather than legacy badges.
A modern look at Pioneer's plasma HDTVs and the Elite series: why they stood out, what features they offered, and why the industry moved from plasma to LCD/LED and OLED.
CRT HDTVs used cathode ray tubes to display high-definition signals (commonly 720p and 1080i). Once a competitive, lower-cost alternative to early plasma and LCDs, CRT HDTVs declined as flat panels became thinner, larger, and more energy efficient. Today CRTs survive mainly in retro-gaming and niche professional uses.