| Introduction | | | | resolution and best viewing quality on very |
| | | | large screens. Digital NTSC- and PAL |
| HDTV technology was first introduced in the | | | | SECAM-like signals (480i60 and 576i50 |
| US during the 1990s by a group of electronics | | | | respectively) are transmitted at a horizontal |
| companies called the Digital HDTV Grand | | | | resolution of 720 or 704 "pixels". |
| Alliance. HDTV is capable of | | | | In Australia, the 576p50 format is also |
| "theater-quality" audio because it | | | | considered a HDTV format, as it has doubled |
| uses the Dolby Digital (AC-3) format to | | | | temporal resolution though the use of |
| support "5. HDTV offers a degree of | | | | progressive scanning. For example, you can |
| clarity that is much closer to this. HDTV | | | | get a 72" projection HDTV that has |
| can be recorded to D-VHS (Data-VHS), W-VHS | | | | 1920×1080 resolution from $2500 to |
| (analog only), to a HDTV-capable digital | | | | $5000 depending on the brand and model. |
| video recorder (for example DirecTV's | | | | |
| high-definition Digital video recorder, Sky | | | | Satellite |
| HD's set-top box, or TiVo's Series 3 or HD | | | | |
| recorders), or an HDTV-ready HTPC. HDTV is | | | | Satellite services and a Cable TV providers |
| just one part of the DTV transition. HDTV is | | | | are providing an increasing number of HDTV |
| best viewed on a new high-definition | | | | feeds. Satellite-based TV companies, such as |
| television. HDTV requires an HDTV tuner to | | | | Optimum, DirecTV, Sky Digital (In the UK and |
| view and the most detailed HDTV format is | | | | Ireland) and DishNetwork, offer HDTV to |
| 1080i. | | | | customers as an upgrade. To receive an HDTV |
| | | | broadcast you need either a TV with a |
| Definition | | | | built-in HDTV tuner, like this Panasonic |
| | | | plasma HDTV, an HDTV receiver which can |
| The term "high-definition" can | | | | pick-up off the air HDTV channels, cable |
| refer to the resolution specifications | | | | HDTV, or satellite HDTV receiver like Dish |
| themselves, or more loosely to media capable | | | | Network HDTV and this DirecTV H10 receiver. |
| of similar sharpness, such as photographic | | | | |
| film and digital video. High-definition | | | | Technology |
| television (HDTV) potentially offers a much | | | | |
| better picture quality than standard | | | | While high definition has become a reality |
| television. NTSC system, established in | | | | for many consumers, the technical jargon |
| 1941, were high definition only in comparison | | | | associated with this exiting new technology |
| with previous mechanical and electronic | | | | is causing much confusion. Through the |
| television systems, and NTSC, along with the | | | | evolution of display technology, a new |
| later European 625-line PAL and SECAMs, is | | | | television has emerged; so totally different, |
| described as standard definition today. | | | | a new TV 'paragon' has been created. it |
| | | | doesn’t require a degree in TV |
| Television | | | | Technology. |
| | | | |
| While some early analog HDTV formats were | | | | In addition, lack of enthusiastic |
| broadcast in Europe and Japan, HDTV is | | | | co-operation between broadcasters, cable |
| usually broadcast digitally, because digital | | | | satellite providers, and manufacturers has |
| television (DTV) broadcasting requires much | | | | injected further confusion for retailers on |
| less bandwidth if it uses enough video | | | | how to sell HDTV and consumers as what |
| compression. To get a better picture HDTV | | | | products to buy, how to use them, and to what |
| televisions require a High Definition (HD) | | | | programs are actually available in HDTV. On |
| signal. As of 2007, broadcasters may demand, | | | | the other hand, a very high resolution source |
| or cable-television operators may elect, to | | | | may require more bandwidth than is available |
| place HD signals in a premium band that | | | | in order to be transmitted without loss of |
| requires higher cable fees. HDTV has at | | | | fidelity. |
| least twice the linear resolution of | | | | |
| standard-definition television (SDTV), thus | | | | To watch high definition television or HDTV |
| allowing much more detail to be shown | | | | you will need three things: A Satellite or |
| compared with analog television or regular | | | | Cable program subscription to HD Programming; |
| DVD. | | | | An HDTV Satellite Receiver or Digital Set Top |
| | | | Box; A high definition television set (HDTV). |
| Resolution | | | | But beyond all argument, HDTV offers the |
| | | | ultimate in TV Picture Quality. We believe |
| It should be noted that while HDTV is more | | | | you're interested in what you need to know, |
| like a theater in quality than conventional | | | | to buy and enjoy a Digital-HDTV – NOT, |
| television, 35 mm and 70 mm film projectors | | | | how to build one. |
| used in theaters still have the highest | | | | |