720p, 1080p, 1080i, 480i, 480p – The numbers refer to the number of lines a TV can display. A good example is a VCR, it has 200 lines. DVD has 480 lines. HD has 720 or 1080 lines. The “p” an “i” refers to either progressive or interlaced line. Analog televisions have always been interlaced, causing some blur or rougher picture. Progressive formats are how computers generate images, much cleaner.
Aspect ratio – This is the shape of your TV. Televisions will either be 4:3 or 16:9.
ATSC - This is the tuner built into HDTV’s for receiving local broadcasts.
DTV - Digital Television
HD - High Definition
HDMI (input) – High Definition Multi-Media Interface. This allows you to only use one cable to hook up your TV.
LCD Flat Panel – Liquid Crystal Display that can be hung on a wall.
Plasma – Flat panel television that can be hung on a wall(the best picture quality of all televisions).
Projection CRT - Cathode Ray Tube. These are the heavier and bulkier big screens.
Projection DLP - Digital Light Processing projection televisions are much lighter and thinner than CRT. They work off a lamp rather than a tube.
Projection LCD - Projection Liquid Crystal Display is another lamp-based TV, very similar to DLP.
SD - Standard Definition (analog)
USB - Universal Serial Bus. This is a shared connector found on most consumer electronics.
Viewing angle - The angle between you and your TV. Some televisions perform better than others when viewing from an angle.
S-video input – Super-Video, found on all DVD players and many other devices. This input cannot display HD.