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HDTV - Like nothing you’ve ever seen before!
HDTV is a new technology that allows your local TV stations
to broadcast in digital. HDTV improves the quality of what you see and hear
on TV, bringing you a much sharper, clearer picture and improved sound.
Before you can watch your local stations in HDTV two things need to happen.
First, your local TV stations must upgrade and begin broadcasting in HDTV.
Your local TV stations are required by federal law to begin broadcasting in
HDTV. Second, you will need to purchase one of the new HDTV TV sets. The
analog TV set you are now watching will not be able to receive an HDTV
signal. Low cost converter boxes will soon be available that will enable
your analog TV to receive HDTV however the quality of your reception will be
less than the true HDTV you will be able to watch using one of the new HDTV
TV sets.
The TV industry has a special website that offers you more detailed
information on the new era of free digital TV service. You may reach this
special website by
clicking here.
Find out more about the new HDTV TV sets using a free
consumer electronics guide available by
clicking here.
If you are a cable subscriber you should contact your local cable provider
to find out what HDTV options will be available to you. To learn more about
HDTV and cable, visit the cable TV industry's website by
clicking here.
If you are a satellite TV subscriber you should contact your satellite
provider to find out what HDTV options are available to you. To learn more
about HDTV and satellite TV visit the satellite industry's website by
clicking here.
Consumer Frequently Asked Questions
WHY ARE BROADCASTERS MOVING TO DTV TRANSMISSION?
All aspects of broadcast and consumer media have been moving to digital
formats for well over 20 years, beginning with the introduction of the
consumer Compact Disc in 1982 and the DVD in 1996. Since that time, the
advantages of digital recording, storage, and transmission have become
universally accepted as providing the highest quality media experience for
consumers, as well as providing more freedom of choice as well as additional
features. HDTV brings all of that value to the over-the-air television
experience. The versatility of the HDTV system allows presentation of very
high quality images, with improved definition and surround sound, as well as
provide multiple additional program streams in standard definition format in
addition to data transmission services.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HDTV AND DTV?
They are basically the same term. Originally the only intended use for
digital television was to broadcast a High-Definition picture. Then
additional channels and data services were added to the mix, so that
High-Definition was only a part of the entire concept. Thus the term DTV is
more commonly used than HDTV.
HOW DOES DTV WORK?
Existing analog television stations have been assigned a new channel for
implementation of digital DTV service. A type of video transmission known as
8-VSB is used to digitally encode the new digital TV channel, permitting the
broadcaster to provide simultaneous high definition video and audio,
additional standard-definition TV programs, and data services.
DOES THIS MEAN EVERY STATION WILL BROADCAST ON TWO CHANNELS, ONE ANALOG
AND ONE DIGITAL?
Until February 17th, 2009 all TV stations will broadcast both the analog
signal and the new digital signal on two separate channels. After that date
the all analog TV channels will be turned off and every station will have
just one signal, the DTV channel. Existing television receivers will not be
able to receive the DTV signal unless a special converter box is attached.
SINCE THE HDTV BROADCASTS ARE PRESENTED ON EXISTING TV CHANNELS, WHY DO I
NEED TO PURCHASE A NEW RECEIVER TO VIEW THEM?
Conversion to any digital transmission scheme requires modification or
replacement of existing equipment. Existing analog TV sets cannot decode the
digital data stream that provides the digital programming and data, and thus
you must purchase a new DTV set in order to take advantage of these
services.
WHAT ABOUT THOSE CONVERTER BOXES YOU MENTIONED? CAN I USE ONE OF THOSE?
Yes. It is anticipated that as the February 17, 2009 date approaches,
low-cost converter boxers will be available for sale which will allow
existing over the air analog TV sets to receive the digital signal. These
converter boxes will not give you a true HDTV signal, but will allow viewing
of the HDTV picture within the capabilities of your existing analog set.
For more information click
here.
MY HOME HAS CABLE TV AND I DO NOT RECEIVE OVER THE AIR TV BROADCASTS.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN AFTER FEBRUARY 17, 2009?
Your local cable provider should continue to provide a video signal from all
over the air stations. It is most likely that the cable signal will not be
presented in HDTV but will be converted to standard definition TV for
viewing on your existing set. Some cable companies may elect to provide the
full HDTV signal (perhaps at an additional charge), which would require you
to have a compatible DTV receiver to view them.
WHAT ABOUT MY VCR? WILL IT STILL WORK?
Yes. After February 17th, 2009, you will be able to continue playing your
pre-recorded VCR tapes into the new HDTV displays by connecting your VCR to
the appropriate input. The new DTV receivers include analog video
connections so you can still use your existing analog VCRs. However, if you
are tuning in local analog stations on your VCR for recording, that VCR
tuner will no longer no longer receive local stations after February 17th,
2009. Of course, the pictures you will see from
your analog VCR will be presented in the same standard definition resolution
that the device was originally designed for and will not be viewed as HDTV.
I HAVE A LARGE SCREEN PLASMA DISPLAY, SO I MUST HAVE HDTV ALREADY, RIGHT?
Not necessarily. Not all large screen displays are TV sets, and not all
large screen TV sets have the required DTV tuner.
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HD Ready: usually means that the display or monitor you are buying can
display pictures at the required HDTV resolution but that a HDTV tuner must
be installed to receive HDTV signals off the air.
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HDTV: usually means that the display or monitor can display pictures at the
required HDTV resolution and that is also incorporates the required HDTV
tuner to permit receiving HDTV signals off the air.
The FCC now mandates that all TV sets
manufactured for sale in the United States which include a standard TV tuner must also include a DTV-capable tuner. If you
purchased your large display several years ago you may not have such a tuner
installed. Also, if you recently purchased a large screen monitor or display
(not a full TV set) you may have a display that is “HD Ready” but does not
include a DTV tuner, which must be added externally to enjoy over the air
DTV. These terms are often confused by buyers and sellers alike, so always
verify what capabilities apply to the set you are buying. Be sure to ask,
“Can I connect an antenna to this display or monitor and receive HDTV over
the air without purchasing anything additional?”
WHAT ELSE CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT DTV/HDTV?
The National Association of Broadcasters has also put together an
excellent website at
http://dtvanswers.com.
The federal government has put together a website full of DTV/HDTV
information. To get there, go to:
http://www.dtv.gov.
Also, feel free to
call your local TV station and ask for the Chief Engineer. They love to talk
about HDTV!
MORE INFORMATION
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