"What exactly is HDTV , and what it means to me ?"
HDTV. You know you want one. We all do. We heard that HTDV offers greater clarity than we are accustomed, smooth motion, richer colors, surround sound and the potential for improving the performance of the various pieces of equipment that we want to work together. But before you buy, it is useful to understand the technology and its related issues.
First, only purchase a HDTV and plugging it into a standard cable box does not give you high-definition television. To watch high definition TV, you will have three components: a source of HDTV, HDTV channels and the HDTV display. Your source, the HDTV set can display both regular and HDTV images, but the standard analog TV shows on an HDTV set can be disappointing. It is true, it probably shows a little better than the standard set, but is still far from what we expect from HDTV. Also, a large screen set in a particularly exaggerated flaws in standard software, making it glaringly obvious.
As for the channel and the show, most major networks now broadcast many of their prime shows in high definition on HD channels, and various other networks broadcast in high definition as well. However, cable and satellite providers who do not carry all of the available network HD channels do not broadcast all of its content in HD. Finding your favorite show in high definition can be hit and miss-entrepreneur.
The good news is that this will change. The United States currently in the process of converting to digital television (DTV). As from 1 July 2006, all new televisions 25 inches or larger must include an integrated DTV receiver that can receive HD programs, simply connect an antenna, or be "DTV ready". DTV-ready sets require a separate tuner (or cable or satellite box) to display high-definition programming. Subscribers to pay TV (cable or satellite), an HDTV-ready set do not require a DTV tuner, but can instead watch HDTV using a set-top box that tunes HDTV channels.
HDTV sets that are "digital cable ready (DCR), you can adjust the digital cable without an external box, but they require a special cable card, available with cable TV.
On 1 March 2007, all new 13-inch or larger sets must have DTV tuners or be DTV-ready. However, although the FCC has mandated DTV tuner dates, it did not mandate that sets sold must be able to display HDTV resolutions. Consumers who want to display HDTV the way it is meant to be seen is wise to make sure that the new set has this ability.
On 17 February 2009, over-the-air analog programs to be excluded, and all will be broadcasting DTV. After that date, standard NTSC television will not get on-air broadcast, but the government may subsidize converter boxes for those who can not go.
HDTV Basics
HDTV refers to high-definition television (or, as some prefer, a huge darned TV). It is not just a digital broadcast format, but is considered to be the best. It offers better resolution than other digital television standards, and better color display than our current analog television, which is based on the NTSC standard used in North America.
NTSC stands for National Television Systems Committee, a body that has set standards in 1953, although the video professionals are likely to tell ironic that the initials actually mean never twice the same color. NTSC standard is legendary for the reception problems leads to color distortion - a problem that should not occur with HDTV
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HDTV broadcasts widescreen images with superior detail and quality than analog TV, or any other type of digital television (DTV). HDTV superiority stems from three factors: the ratio, resolution, frame rate, and
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standard analog television ratio is 4:3 (meaning four units wide and 3 units high) provides the "almost square" shape that is also common in the computer monitor. However, with a ratio of 16:9 (16 units wide and 9 units high), HDTV provides a "cinematic" look to TV shows or films shot in widescreen. Complications arise because not all television is shot in widescreen. In addition to standard or high definition programming 04:03, HDTV can display vertical black bars on either side of the screen, or maybe a stretch or zoom images.
The problems created by the ratio of the workarounds, but it requires that your television or video source (eg, satellite tuner, cable box or DVD player) with aspect-ratio control. To avoid disappointment, make sure you buy a television provides this function.
As for the resolution and image detail, HDTV offers more than double the sharpness of analog TV. Analog has a resolution of 640x480 pixels equivalent, or 480 lines of visible detail. At its highest level, the HDTV has a resolution of almost six times better - 1, 920x1, 080 pixels or 1,080 lines of visible detail
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HDTV is available in two different resolutions: 1080 i and 720p. the former has more lines and pixels, but the latter is a progressive-scan format that allows for smooth images during motion. One is not necessarily better than the other - just different. third form, p 1080, combines the best of both, but the program content is rare.
speed refers to the number of times together creates a complete picture on the screen every second. As mentioned above, the frame rate ending in "I" are intertwined, and the frame rate ending in "P" are generally progressive. With the progressive frame rate, or progressive scan, the lines of each frame are drawn in a row across the screen from left to right. The frame rate or interlaced scan, only every second line is drawn, then the process is repeated to fill in the gaps.
DTV frame rates range from 24 fps to 60 fps. So, "1080 and HDTV" has a resolution of 1920 x1, 080 pixels and can display 60 frames per second, interlaced.
Looking forward to
It is safe to assume that HDTV is purchased now will not become obsolete any time soon. It is also a safe prediction that, as time passes, they will come down even more on price, and that more and more content will be offered in HD format.
Some analysts expect to see increased content that is available in the on-air broadcasting, according to the FCC mandate about DTV receivers. And it is definitely my prediction that they will have HDTV by many of us tearing our hair when we set it up and make fine tuning!