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