How High Is Your Definition?
The increasing demand for high-quality television and new technology has given rise to High-Definition Television or HDTV. The shift from Analog to an all-digital system heralds a new dawn in the 65-year history of television. Hours of HDTV content are already available every night and this is sure to grow as Analog is phased out.
Basics of HDTV
HDTV is a new type of television that combines an HDTV tuner and HD-capable display. Nearly all of HDTV available in the market uses the 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio. An HDTV tuner can receive analog and digital over-the-air broadcasts.
A "HDTV-ready" television features only the high-resolution display and can only receive digital broadcasts if connected with a separate HDTV tuner. HDTV-ready TVs can have the 16:9 widescreen ratio or the square like 4:3 aspect ratio.
However, the arrival of new technology also calls for viewers to adapt to the situation. Those still using TV sets purchased nearly a decade ago will not be able to get the HDTV experience. For this you need to have a tuner to receive and decode HDTV signals from a source, and a high-quality screen that can reproduce the outstanding details and colors from a HDTV broadcast.
The chief reason why HDTV pictures look considerably clearer and crisper than normal TV is due to the higher resolution of HD. Normal TV pictures only have 480 lines of vertical resolution, while the most common HDTV's have 1,080-line interlaces scan and 720-line progressive scan. The best analog quality that can be offered by an analog TV is also the lowest quality signal in digital TV.
Getting started in HDTV is not as expensive like in the past few years, as prices of tuners and HDTV's continue to drop and the quality of the products are constantly improving. This is also in line with further technological improvements.
To help you maximize your HDTV setups without breaking the bank here are some tips to avoid costly mistakes and help you enjoy HDTV at its best.
1) Finding HDTV broadcasts within your area
Over-the-air-broadcasts: Nearly 1,500 local stations across the US are transmitting Digital TV signals today. About 90% of digital station broadcasts are made in the UHF range and these can be accessed with the use of a normal UHF antenna. For this scenario you need:
- HD-compatible TV
- HDTV tuner- some are already built in an HDTV
- Outdoor or indoor UHF antenna
- The HDTV broadcasts in your area (of course!)
2) Cable HDTV
Nearly all cable companies in the US offer HDTV service to their subscribers (especially those living the major cities and TV markets). Digital cable will offer more channels and the picture quality of broadcasts will be noticeably more crisp. However, consumers must always remember that digital cable is different from HDTV via cable. For this setup you need the following:
- HD-compatible TV
- HD-compatible cable box
- HD programming from cable a company
3) Digital Satellite TV
HDTV via satellite is available for those living the US with a clear view of the sky. In short, this service is available almost everywhere. HDTV channels are already available from the top satellite TV providers DIRECTV and the DISHNetwork. Those lucky enough to live in major cities can even get local stations in HD via satellite. For this setup you need:
- HD-compatible TV
- HD-compatible satellite dish
- HD-compatible satellite receiver
- HD programming
Once you start to enjoy HDTV, going back to normal TV is likely not anymore an option. The crystal-clear viewing experience becomes addictive and anything less becomes mediocre. Many HDTV viewers have become impatient towards the slow growth in the number of compatible programming available, but it is coming.
HDTV will receive a boost from the introduction of new digital formats like Blu-Ray and HD-DVD. These new formats will enable HDTV viewers to watch and enjoy high-definition versions of their favorite movies for as long as they want
The increasing demand for high-quality television and new technology has given rise to High-Definition Television or HDTV. The shift from Analog to an all-digital system heralds a new dawn in the 65-year history of television. Hours of HDTV content are already available every night and this is sure to grow as Analog is phased out.
Basics of HDTV
HDTV is a new type of television that combines an HDTV tuner and HD-capable display. Nearly all of HDTV available in the market uses the 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio. An HDTV tuner can receive analog and digital over-the-air broadcasts.
A "HDTV-ready" television features only the high-resolution display and can only receive digital broadcasts if connected with a separate HDTV tuner. HDTV-ready TVs can have the 16:9 widescreen ratio or the square like 4:3 aspect ratio.
However, the arrival of new technology also calls for viewers to adapt to the situation. Those still using TV sets purchased nearly a decade ago will not be able to get the HDTV experience. For this you need to have a tuner to receive and decode HDTV signals from a source, and a high-quality screen that can reproduce the outstanding details and colors from a HDTV broadcast.
The chief reason why HDTV pictures look considerably clearer and crisper than normal TV is due to the higher resolution of HD. Normal TV pictures only have 480 lines of vertical resolution, while the most common HDTV's have 1,080-line interlaces scan and 720-line progressive scan. The best analog quality that can be offered by an analog TV is also the lowest quality signal in digital TV.
Getting started in HDTV is not as expensive like in the past few years, as prices of tuners and HDTV's continue to drop and the quality of the products are constantly improving. This is also in line with further technological improvements.
To help you maximize your HDTV setups without breaking the bank here are some tips to avoid costly mistakes and help you enjoy HDTV at its best.
1) Finding HDTV broadcasts within your area
Over-the-air-broadcasts: Nearly 1,500 local stations across the US are transmitting Digital TV signals today. About 90% of digital station broadcasts are made in the UHF range and these can be accessed with the use of a normal UHF antenna. For this scenario you need:
- HD-compatible TV
- HDTV tuner- some are already built in an HDTV
- Outdoor or indoor UHF antenna
- The HDTV broadcasts in your area (of course!)
2) Cable HDTV
Nearly all cable companies in the US offer HDTV service to their subscribers (especially those living the major cities and TV markets). Digital cable will offer more channels and the picture quality of broadcasts will be noticeably more crisp. However, consumers must always remember that digital cable is different from HDTV via cable. For this setup you need the following:
- HD-compatible TV
- HD-compatible cable box
- HD programming from cable a company
3) Digital Satellite TV
HDTV via satellite is available for those living the US with a clear view of the sky. In short, this service is available almost everywhere. HDTV channels are already available from the top satellite TV providers DIRECTV and the DISHNetwork. Those lucky enough to live in major cities can even get local stations in HD via satellite. For this setup you need:
- HD-compatible TV
- HD-compatible satellite dish
- HD-compatible satellite receiver
- HD programming
Once you start to enjoy HDTV, going back to normal TV is likely not anymore an option. The crystal-clear viewing experience becomes addictive and anything less becomes mediocre. Many HDTV viewers have become impatient towards the slow growth in the number of compatible programming available, but it is coming.
HDTV will receive a boost from the introduction of new digital formats like Blu-Ray and HD-DVD. These new formats will enable HDTV viewers to watch and enjoy high-definition versions of their favorite movies for as long as they want
0 comments
Post a Comment