SolveYourProblem
HDTV Article Series
Buying
a High Definition Television (HDTV)
High
Definition Programming: Are You Connected?
HDTV or High Definition Television offers
many benefits over traditional analog television. High
definition television has excellent digital superiority, crisp detail,
progressive scanning, digital audio, a wider viewing area and
better quality DVD playback. The FCC is pushing broadcasters,
electronic manufacturers, and consumers to make a complete
switch to high definition television by 2006. Many are ready
for the change. Are you HDTV connected?
The issue of choosing HDTV over analog television came around
1987 when the FCC issued a ruling indicating that all analog
televisions would become obsolete in 2006. The Japanese had
developed a successful high definition television and the United
States wanted to come out ahead with the HDTV technology. As
a result a group of American electronics companies that manufacturer
televisions formed the “Grand Alliance” by inventing digital
HDTV.
In 1990, the FCC announced that HDTV would be broadcast at
the same time as existing NTSC broadcasting service. The idea
was to give television broadcasters additional channel space
to broadcast in both analog and digital. The old channels would
then become obsolete. To make this work, all televisions would
have to convert to digital. All televisions made since would
suddenly become obsolete unless a converter was purchased and
installed.
The
converters for enabling traditional analog televisions
to digital cost around $100. While no one would argue that
high definition television is far superior to analog with a
clearer and brighter picture, it is expensive.
More and more consumers are getting connected to high definition.
As the technology to make smaller HDTV sets rises, the cost
of these televisions come down enabling more people to purchase
the sets. In addition to the cost of the actual television,
the price of enhanced cable or satellite service must be considered
before getting connected to HDTV.
High
definition does have its benefits besides a better picture
resolution. HDTV has none of the imperfections caused by a
traditional analog broadcast. There is no snow from weak signals,
no double images from ghosting and no picture sparkles caused
by impulse noise.
In addition, HDTV offers viewers the ultimate in viewing experience
when connected to a surround sound system. The wide-screens
offered by HDTV and the complete audio are just like seeing
a movie in a movie theater. There is no part of the viewing
area cut off at the top or bottom when using HDTV.
As the popularity of high definition broadcast rises, the
amount of available broadcasts also go up. Currently in the
United States, there are about forty channel networks that
broadcast in high definition. These networks include the major
movie channels such as HBO and Showtime and other channels
such as the ESPN sports channel and the Discovery channel.
Japan, Australia and South Korea are all leaders in bringing
HDTV broadcasts to consumers. In Europe, HDTV is just beginning.
Some networks often offer viewers certain prime time specials
and sporting events in HDTV rather than their entire broadcast.
The four major networks usually offer professional football,
championship baseball, basketball and NASCAR in high definition.
In addition, they offer television specials and awards shows
in HDTV.
To
get connected in the world of high definition television,
you must first purchase an HDTV-ready or an HDTV capable television. There are several to choose from. Rear projection, plasma and
LCD are all types of HDTV. When a television is labeled as
HDTV-ready that means the TV has an HDTV tuner built in. This
enables the TV set to get over-the-air high definition signals
from local networks. HDTV-capable means that the TV set is
able to receive high definition signals, but only with the
use of an HDTV converter box that is available from the cable
or satellite company, or a digital tuner and over-the-air antenna.
A converter box usually costs between $5 and $10 per month,
or some are available for purchase for several hundred dollars.
The last and probably the most important step of getting connected
in high definition will be to watch a broadcast in HDTV. Major
networks have some programming in high definition, but many
do not. High definition programming will be separate channels
from the standard non-high definition channels. It is important
to know whether or not the channel and programming you are
interested in are offered in high definition.
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SolveYourProblem.com : 2007
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