HDTV FAQ

What is HDTV?

High-definition television (HDTV) is a new kind of television system that involves improvements in both the production and reception of television broadcasts. The most distinguishing features of HDTV are the aspect ratio and increased lines of resolution. HDTV's aspect ratio is 16:9 (Width:Height) as opposed to 4:3 of the current NTSC system. This will make the home theater atmosphere exactly as it was meant to be. Films will retain their original size and resolution, and the sound can be delivered in "digital-quality" 5-channel digital audio.

What do "analog" and "digital" mean, and how are they different?

Analog refers to the signal format used to transmit today's television, also called NTSC. Digital signals also can transmit television, but they are much more efficient and can carry many times more information than analog. The highest quality digital TV signals will be high-definition or HDTV, are defined as either 720 lines or 1080 lines of vertical resolution.

What is the difference between a TV that is labeled "HDTV" and one that is "HDTV-ready"?

HDTV having built-in HDTV tuner and built-in decoding for multichannel Dolby® Digital, which is the audio standard for HDTV broadcasts.n HDTV-ready TV is not capable of receiving digital TV broadcasts on its own and must be connected to a separate HDTV tuner to view digital broadcasts.

What are the benefits of HDTV than Standard TV (NTSC)?

Better Resolution

Resolution is a measure of picture sharpness. Current analog television contains about 480 active scanning lines resulting in a picture resolution of about 330 lines of resolution. By comparison today's VHS VCR's have about 240 lines of resolution which is why VHS recordings don't look as sharp as the original picture.DVD's offer higher resolution typically on the order of 400-480 lines of resolution. HDTV offers about twice as many "lines" of resolution and better quality, digitally encrypted five-channel sound as well.

Higher Aspect Ratio

Most televisions today are manufactured in a 4 by 3 aspect ratio, which means the screen is 4 units wide by 3 units high. But theatrically released movies are usually in a much wider aspect, taking advantage of the human field of vision (which is wider across horizontally). HDTV signals are sent in a 16 by 9 aspect ratio, mimicking the wide scope of movies. HDTV's aspect ratio makes for a more immersive and intense viewing experience.

HDTV signals are transmitted or stored in the form of data bits. Because these data bits are stored and transmitted with parity checking and error correcting ability, the picture is always outstanding - as long as you can receive the data stream you will get the best picture without ghosting, noise, sparkles or static.