HDTV

How to Bring HDTV into Your Home

Experiencing the HDTV Difference

One of the emerging digital TV (DTV) standards in the United States, high-definition television (HDTV) delivers high-resolution programming in a widescreen format. Also featuring digital surround sound, the HDTV experience offers movie-quality picture and sound. And because HDTV uses digital computer code rather than the "analog" signal in regular TV, the picture is cleaner and less prone to interference.

Comparing Video Formats

Be Sure it's HDTV

Not all digital TV is HDTV. Enhanced definition TV (EDTV) is digital, but it carries a lower resolution of 480 screen lines compared to the 720 or 1080 screen lines of HDTV. The "p" in 720p stands for progressive scan technology, which paints a TV picture from top to bottom on a line-by-line basis. The 1080i format uses interlace technology to create a picture on an every-other-line basis, filling in the other lines a split second later. Both produce razor-sharp images on HDTV-capable TVs, and both have their advantages. ESPN, for instance, broadcasts in 720p because it is better than 1080i at showing the fast action of sports. The 1080i format has a higher resolution than 720p and shows greater detail in movies, which is why networks such as NBC broadcast in 1080i. HDTV is the highest digital standard, and it is important to know which digital standard a TV handles. Many bargain plasma TVs, for instance, are less expensive because they can handle only lower-resolution EDTV signals. If you're searching for the stunning detail and rich color of HDTV, make sure you consider TVs that have resolutions of 720p (progressive scan), 1080i (interlaced scan) or the most recent 1080p.

Finding HDTV Programming

All of the major networks, many local stations and some cable networks broadcast HDTV signals, which now reach 80 percent of U.S. viewers. Just some networks offering extensive HDTV programming are ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX, as well as HBO, Showtime and HD-dedicated HDNet. Before buying an HDTV-capable set, you may want to consult your local TV listings or service provider about what HDTV programming is available in your area.

Watching "Regular" Shows

While all HDTV-ready displays receive standard broadcast and cable TV signals, bear in mind those programs might not look better. In fact, they might look worse than they do on an analog set. HDTV exposes flaws in regular TV signals, and those signals can also suffer when an HDTV converts the 480-line signal to its native resolution of 720p, 1080i or 1080p. Also, because regular TV signals are in the boxlike 4:3 aspect ratio, most HDTVs put black or grey bars on either side of the picture to fill out the 16:9 widescreen display, or they stretch the images to fill the wider screen. Be aware that some HDTVs perform these conversions better than others.

Receiving HDTV Signals

Displaying HDTV programming does require a special signal converter either built into the TV (an integrated tuner) or as an external box that may come from your cable or satellite company. Other options are Plug and Play or Digital Cable Ready TVs, which require only a cableCARD from the service provider for viewers to receive HDTV programming. TVs with integrated tuners also can receive local HDTV broadcasts via an antenna, but they usually cost more and you still need an external converter to get cable or satellite programming. Since many HDTV service providers include these converters in their set-top boxes, an HDTV-ready or HDTV-capable set may be all you need. Before shopping for an HDTV, check with your cable or satellite company about the equipment you need to enjoy the movie-quality picture and sound of HDTV.

Enjoying DVDs

DVDs on HDTV-capable sets look fabulous, but do not be fooled - that movie you are watching is not in true high definition. HDTVs can improve the look of DVDs through the use of a high-tech HDMI output connector or progressive-scan DVD player. They cannot, though, transform the 480p format of DVDs into a HD format. However, high-definition DVD-viewing is on the way in the form of two competing technologies: Blu-ray and HD DVD.