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What is HDTV?
02/02/06
What is HDTV?
What is HDTV aka High Definition TV?
High Definition television is a set of new formats for TV broadcasting, that considerably increase the picture quality. For 50 years, we’ve been watching TV with only 480 lines of useful information. Moreover those were actually interlaced, meaning odd lines and even lines would not be displayed at the same time, but alternatively.
What are the benefits of HDTV?
HDTV increases the resolution of the image, improves the picture quality and changes the aspect ratio of the screen from 4:3 to 16:9. Moreover it’s digital (versus regular TV that is analog), meaning that the picture still looks good on larger screen.
What are the different HD formats?
The most common TV formats are:
480i : standard analog video used for 50 years
480p : aka EDTV… even though the resolution only has 480 lines, the images are progressive (no interlacing of odd and even lines) making them look much better. Most DVD players can now output 480p.
The most common HD formats are:
720p : resolution of 1280x720 progressive
1080i : resolution of 1920x1080 interlaced
1080p : resolution of 1920x1080 progressive - recent resolution that most TV (even HDTV) don’t support yet
What do I need to watch HDTV?
You need a TV that can display HD format (at least 720p and 1080i) such as RPTV, LCD or Plasma, and an HD source: the easiest is to get an HD Cable Box, or and HD satellite receiver… But you can also us an ATSC tuner (most of the times inside your TV) and an antenna.
What channel can I watch in HD?
Currently Discovery, HBO, PBS, ESPN, NBC, CBS and ABC among others have programs in HD.
Where can I find HDTV channel guide data?
Have a look at titantv:
http://ww2.titantv.com/ttv/home/HDTVUpdate.aspx
Can I record HD content?
Yes you can. There are several ways to do that, including D-VHS VCR, and HD Digital Video Recorder such as Motorola 6412 or HD TiVo.
What does it mean for me?
You’d better get an high definition TV soon… you’ll wonder how you could live without it. 
3 comments
Any idea if the HD standards are the same in europe?
As well, I think that the listing of the channels that already broadcast in HD provides incentive for people to get an HD-ready television sooner rather than later.
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