| High-definition television (HDTV) became popular at the | | | | Bad news: older standard analog televisions cannot |
| end of the 1900's. They were in essence super TV's | | | | show DTV productions. So you may still need two |
| boasting digital surround sound, hi-tech resolution, | | | | TVs at this time, depending upon cable and how late |
| widescreen-compatible for old-time movie formats. But | | | | you stay up and want good content, etc. |
| amid the different types that have popped up, there | | | | HD |
| can be confusion for consumers, so let's take a look at | | | | HDTV is part of DTV. It carries the highest standards |
| what's out there today. | | | | for DTV, as set forth by the Advanced Television |
| Analog | | | | Standards Committee (ATSC) for digital television. |
| An analog television receives signals via satellite, over | | | | Of the18 digital broadcast formats for video, the top |
| the air or through a cable; whereas older (standard) | | | | tier for HDTV needs to reflect the following over |
| televisions accepted signals from radio waves | | | | analog and other lower standards with respect to: |
| transformed into sounds and screen images. | | | | Aspect ratio - HDTV must have a 16:9 aspect ratio; |
| Digital | | | | standard TV only needs a 4:3. |
| Digital television (DTV) converts signals for DVD | | | | Resolution - HDTV needs high resolution, like up to |
| players to analog. However, limited pixels limit resolution | | | | 1920 x 1080 pixels; standard TV only needs 704 x 480 |
| for viewers, affecting quality imaging on the television | | | | pixels. |
| screen. | | | | Frame rate - HDTV needs the highest frame rate (like |
| Reportedly U.S. broadcasts are moving in the direction | | | | screen speed), at least 60 frames per second. |
| of DTV transmission, transmitting video and sound | | | | Standard TV is under 24. |
| data zeros and ones over wave transmissions, | | | | The mains things to note with high-definition visual and |
| basically using the UHF spectrum over the air with a 6 | | | | sound are twofold. Number one, the television station |
| MHz bandwidth, similar to analog transmitting. | | | | needs to be transmitting high-definition signals. Without |
| Features and benefits of DTV include: | | | | that much, no need to continue. And number two, you |
| - Better quality image. | | | | need to have the right television equipment to receive |
| - Better resolution with big screen TVs | | | | and view the high-definition transmissions. |
| - Better video graphic imaging. | | | | So get informed and check out your systems and |
| - Multicasting. | | | | equipment! It'll make upgrading to HDTV that much |
| - Interactive content can be transmitted. | | | | easier - and enjoyable for your family. |
| - High-definition (HDTV) compatibility. | | | | |