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Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Digital Television?
Digital television (DTV) is a huge leap forward in television technology compared
to analog television that has been widely available since the 1940s. DTV is delivered
and displayed using digital encoding, similar to the way a PC operates. By using digital
technology, there is no variation in picture and sound quality from the origination
point until it is displayed on your television. You always receive a high-quality picture
without the wavy lines or static you might sometimes get from a weak analog signal.
Another feature of digital television is digital surround sound using Dolby
™
Digital
technology, which is the same technology used to produce the sound you hear in
movie theaters.
What Is Standard-Defi nition Television?
Standard-defi nition television (SDTV) is basic digital television programming delivered
by your service provider. Typically, the SDTV screen is the same, nearly square
shape as an analog television screen. Digital images on an SDTV set are crisp and
clear—noticeably better than on a standard analog television set using an antenna to
receive over-the-air signals.
What Is High-Defi nition Television?
High-defi nition television (HDTV) is a completely new way to send and receive
television broadcast signals. HDTV images are made up of pixels that are much
smaller and closer together than those used in standard analog television, and there
are millions of them. Thus, HDTV can display fi ve to six times the detail of analog
television to deliver picture quality that is much more realistic, dimensional, and
precise. SDTV programs can be viewed on an HDTV.
Are Local TV Stations or Other Programmers Broadcasting
in HDTV?
Many local TV stations and programmers are transmitting digital signals. However,
transmitting a digital signal does not mean transmitting an HDTV signal. Some
stations are using the new bandwidth to broadcast several standard-defi nition
channels. Most stations and programmers, once they begin broadcasting in digital,
are offering HD content from their parent network (for example, CBS, ABC, NBC,
CW, UPN, and PBS). Contact your service provider for more information.
Why Aren’t All the Shows I Watch in High-Defi nition?
A high-defi nition program must originate in HD format and be broadcast in HD format.
Having an HDTV system does not mean that everything you watch will be viewed in
high-defi nition. Getting the signal from a digital source also does not mean it is
high-defi nition.
Why Are Some HDTVs 4:3 Aspect Ratio and Others 16:9?
The aspect ratios differ because television manufacturers build both standard-screen
and wide-screen HDTVs to appeal to consumer viewing preferences. The two aspect
ratios are as follows:
• On standard-screen (4:3) HDTVs, the programming is displayed in letterbox format
in the middle of the screen. There are bars surrounding the picture.
• On wide-screen (16:9) HDTVs, the programming is displayed on the full screen.
