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Terms To Know
When looking at HDTV’s you'll notice allot of letters and numbers on the sales tags. It is important to know what these mean. Reporter: Andrew FelixEmail Address: tech@weau.com |
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When looking at HDTV’s you'll notice a lot of letters and numbers on the sales tags. It is important to know what these mean. Below I define the most common terms used when purchasing an HDTV.
Screen Ratio: refers to the shape of the actual TV screen. Shown below you see the two most common shapes.
4:3 (4X3): the aspect ratio standard for analog television sets. Shown above on the left.
16:9 (16X9): the aspect ratio standard for the DTV screen. HDTV's are configured for this ratio. Shown above on the right.
480i, 720p, 1080i: these refer to how the images are presented. The number represents the number of TV scan lines. The letter represents the type of scanning used.
Interlace (i) Scan: the traditional way pictures change on the TV. The even picture lines will change on the first pass and then the odd picture lines on the second pass. It refreshes the screen 30 times per second.
Progressive (p) Scan: the new way to present pictures. In this mode every line is scanned individually in sequential order. It starts at the first line and continues updating the picture (1, 2, 3, 4 and so on.) Progressive scan will look noticeably clearer when watching fast moving objects, like racing. It refreshes the screen 60 times per second.
Digital Television (DTV): refers to how the video signal is transmitted or sent using digital data. DTV is used to send signals for HDTV, EDTV and SDTV.
High Definition Television (HDTV): the highest quality picture resolution. The images are extremely clear and they are presented with a wider screen size. HDTV has two resolution standards: 1080i and 720p. 720p is presently the best way to view HDTV. Although 1080i has more scan lines, 720p uses progressive scanning which allows for a smoother transition between images.
Standard Definition Television (SDTV): a digital clearer version of standard analog television. SDTV is the lowest resolution of DTV. The resolution used for SDTV is 480i.
Extended Definition Television (EDTV): better then SDTV, but not as good as HDTV. EDTV uses the same display resolution as DVDs. The resolution used for EDTV and DVD’s is 480p.
Integrated HDTV Sets: high definition (HD) capable and can actually receive over-the-air HD broadcasts. These sets will allow easy connection to cable and satellite for both HD and non-HD services.
HD-Ready Sets: also known as HD Monitors. They do not have an internal receiver and have no means of actually receiving a broadcast or cable signal. A separate receiver or cable/satellite box will have to be used in conjunction with the set.
Digital Cable Ready: an HD Monitor which contains a special removable card slot to receive digital cable signals. These sets usually have no means of picking up over-the-air signals.
High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI): an uncompressed digital input to the television. This is used to connect HD receivers or other HD components (like HD-DVD or Blu-Ray) to the actual TV.
I should mention that most HDTV sets will provide several inputs for; DVD players, computers and analog video.
A true HD set will be presented in the 16:9 ratio and use either 780p or 1080i resolution.
Now that we have all studied up on these confusing terms and numbers; let’s take a look at an example label.
Starting from the top we are told the type of TV is a Plasma Screen (for more information on the types of screens, view my article called “Types of HDTV’s.” We are also told that the screen size is 62”, which is rather large.
On the second line we are informed that it is HDTV ready. Although this TV is HD it does not contain any receivers. So, if you wanted to use this TV to pick up signals from an antenna or cable you would have to add extra components.
On the third line we are informed that this TV does meet HD standards. It uses the 16:9 wider movie screen style screen ratio. It also contains 1,080 lines of video, which are updated using the interlace (i) method.
The next three lines represent the type of inputs or sources available to the set. With this particular set you can connect two HD sources (receivers, Blu-Ray, DVR and so on), a personal computer, and two additional analog components (VHS player, or video game system).
The last line refers to the TV's ability to work with Surround Sound. View my article on Surround Sound for more information.
Click here for 3rd quarter report (DTV Quarterly activity station report FCC Form - 388)
Click Here for report (DTV Quarterly activity station report FCC Form - 388 - TV_Amendment_to_Q2_DTV_Education_Report)
Click Here for - 4th Q DTV Quarterly Report
Click here for 2009 FCC Form 388
Click Here for report (DTV Quarterly activity station report FCC Form - 388 - TV_Amendment_to_Q2_DTV_Education_Report)
Click Here for - 4th Q DTV Quarterly Report
Click here for 2009 FCC Form 388
The Digital TV Transition
February 17th, 2009, the era of analog broadcast television ended in the United States. While the change marked the end of the traditional analog method of broadcasting over-the-air television, it hasn’t signaled the end of free broadcast television. Your favorite broadcast programs and local television stations will still be available. Consumers that subscribe to a "pay" television service such as cable and satellite have not been affected by the switch, but if you received analog television over the air or via an antenna, you’ll need to take action to continue watching your favorite stations, if you have yet to do so already.
DTV WEAU 13 News Brochure
Click here for front page of Brochure
Click here for the back page of the Brochure
What You Need to Know
TV sets that currently receive programming through cable or satellite are not likely to be affected by the transition to digital.
However, TV sets that rely on "over the air" broadcasting with an antenna (set-top or rooftop) to receive a signal will be affected by the cutoff of analog broadcasts in 2009. You will need to consider one of the following options:
- Purchase a digital-to-analog converter box that plugs into an existing television. The boxes, which are expected to cost between $50 - 70 will be available for purchase in 2008. Beginning on January 1, 2008, U.S. households can request up to two coupons valued at $40 each. Each coupon can go toward the purchase of a single set-top converter box that will allow you to continue watching FREE "over-the-air" television on an analog set.
- Subscribe to a cable, satellite or telecommunications service provider if all desired local broadcast stations are carried by that service.
- Purchase a new television set with a built in digital tuner.
