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What exactly is HDTV, and what does it mean for me?
HDTV. You know you want one. We all do. We've heard that HTDV offers greater clarity than we're used to seeing, smoother motion, richer colors, surround sound, and the potential for improved performance from the various pieces of equipment that we want to work together. But before you buy, it's helpful to understand the technology and its related issues.
First, just buying an HDTV and plugging it into a standard cable box doesn't give you high-definition television. To watch high-definition TV, you need three components: an HDTV source, an HDTV channel, and the HDTV show itself. Your source, the HDTV set, can display both regular and HDTV images, but standard analog television displayed on an HDTV set can be disappointing. True, it probably displays a little better than on a standard set, but it is still a far cry from what we expect from HDTV. Also, large screen sets in particular exaggerate the flaws in the standard programming, making them glaringly obvious.
As for the channel and the show, most major networks are now broadcasting many of their prime-time shows in high definition on their HD channels, and various other networks are broadcasting in high definition, as well. However, cable and satellite providers that don't carry all of the available networks and HD channels don't broadcast all of their content in HD. Finding your favorite show in high definition can be a hit-and-miss undertaking.
The good news is that this is going to change. The United States is currently in the process of converting to digital television (DTV). As of July 1, 2006, all new televisions 25 inches or larger must contain either integrated DTV tuners that can receive high-definition programs by simply connecting an antenna, or must be "DTV ready." DTV-ready sets require a separate tuner (or cable or satellite box) to display high-definition programming. Subscribers to pay television (cable or satellite) with an HDTV-ready set do not require the DTV tuner, but can instead watch HDTV by using a set-top box that tunes HDTV channels.
HDTV sets that are "digital cable ready" (DCR) can tune the digital cable without needing the external box, but they require a special cable card, available from the cable provider.
On March 1, 2007, all new 13-inch or larger sets must have DTV tuners or be DTV-ready. However, although the FCC has mandated the DTV tuner dates, it has not mandated that sets sold must be able to display HDTV resolutions. Consumers wanting to view HDTV the way it is meant to be viewed are wise to make sure that a new set has this capability.
On February 17, 2009, over-the-air analog broadcasts will shut off, and all broadcasting will be DTV. After that date, standard NTSC televisions will not receive on-air broadcasts, but the government might subsidize converter boxes for those unable to make the switch.
HDTV Basics
HDTV refers to high-definition television (or, as some prefer, Huge Darned TV). It is not the only digital broadcasting format, but it is considered to be the best. It offers better resolution than other digital television standards, and a better color display than our current analog televisions that are based on the NTSC standard used in North America.
NTSC stands for the National Television Systems Committee, a body that set the standards in 1953, although video professionals are likely to tell you tongue in cheek that the initials really mean Never Twice the Same Color. The NTSC standard is legendary for reception problems leading to color distortionan issue that should not occur with HDTV.
HDTV broadcasts widescreen pictures with superior detail and quality than either analog TV or other types of digital television (DTV). HDTV's superiority stems from three factors: aspect ratio, resolution, and frame rate.
A standard analog television has an aspect ratio of 4:3 (meaning four units wide and 3 units high), giving the "almost square" shape that is also common in computer monitors. However, with an aspect ratio of 16:9 (16 units wide and 9 units high), HDTV provides a "movie theatre" look for TV shows or movies shot in widescreen. Complications arise because not all television is shot in widescreen. With standard or high-definition 4:3 programming, HDTV might display vertical black bars on both sides of the screen, or might stretch or zoom the picture.
Problems created by aspect ratio have workarounds, but this requires that your television or the video source (i.e., satellite tuner, cable box or DVD player) have aspect-ratio control. To avoid disappointment, ensure that the television you are going to buy offers this function.
As for resolution or picture detail, HDTV offers more than twice the sharpness of analog TV. Analog has the resolution equivalent of 640x480 pixels, meaning 480 lines of visible detail. At its highest level, HDTV has a resolution almost six times better1,920x1,080 pixels, or 1,080 lines of visible detail.
HDTV is available in two different resolutions: 1,080i and 720p. The former has more lines and pixels, but the latter has a progressive-scan format that delivers a smoother image during motion. One is not necessarily better than the otherjust different. A third format, 1,080p, combines the best features of the two, but programming content is rare.
Frame rate refers to the number of times a set creates a complete picture on the screen every second. As mentioned above, frame rates ending in "i" are interlaced, and frame rates ending in "p" are generally progressive. With progressive frame rates, or progressive scans, the lines of each frame are drawn in sequence across the screen from left to right. In an interlaced frame rate or scan, only every second line is drawn, and then the process is repeated to fill in the gaps.
DTV frame rates range from 24 frames per second to 60 frames per second. Therefore, a "1,080i HDTV" has a resolution of 1,920x1,080 pixels, and can display 60 frames per second, interlaced.
Looking Ahead
It's safe to predict that an HDTV bought now won't become obsolete any time soon. It's also a safe prediction that, as time passes, they'll come down even more in price, and that more and more content will be offered in HD format.
Some analysts expect to see increased content available in on-air broadcasting, given the FCC's mandate around the DTV tuners. And it's definitely my prediction that HDTV will have many of us tearing our hair out when we set it up and do the fine-tuning!
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