High-Definition 101: A Guide to HDTV

If you’re ready to upgrade your entertainment experience to high-definition TV, you probably already know there’s more to it than just walking into the store and saying, “I’ll take that one.” There’s a whole new vocabulary to learn. There’s new technology to understand, and there are several choices to make.

Before you invest in a high-definition television, you need to know what to look for to be sure that the equipment you select will meet your expectations both today and in the future.  This guide will equip you with the basic information you need to move confidently into the future of high-definition TV.

Choices You’ll Need to Make
Before you buy anything you need to make three choices:

• What will be the source of your HD programming?
• Do you want an HDTV-Capable monitor or HDTV-Ready television?
• What type of display technology is best for your viewing habits and your home?

But first, what is Digital TV and HDTV?
Standard Definition Digital and High-Definition Digital TV: The Basics

DTV (Digital Television) is a huge leap forward in television technology compared to the analog television that has been widely available since the 1940s.  DTV includes SDTV (Standard Definition Television), EDTV (Enhanced Definition Television) and HDTV (High-Definition Television). That means that all high-definition TV is digital, but not all digital is high-definition. A high-definition program must originate in HD and be broadcast in HD.  Having an HDTV system does not mean everything you watch will be in high-definition.

Standard Definition Television is basic digital television programming delivered by cable or satellite. 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.

High-Definition Television 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 more of them. Thus, HDTV can display five 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 HD television.
Another feature of HDTV is digital surround sound using Dolby Digital® which is the same technology used to produce the sound you hear in movie theaters.

The Shape’s the Thing: Aspect Ratio
Aside from dramatically improved picture quality and multi-channel digital sound, the most noticeable difference between HDTV and other TVs is the shape of the viewing area which is defined by the aspect ratio.

 
While the HDTV standard specifies the 16:9 aspect ratio, not all 16:9 television sets are capable of receiving HDTV signals. It’s important to confirm that the set you are considering will actually receive and display high-definition television. Check the specifications carefully.

Why HDTV Looks So Crisp and Sharp
Understanding what resolution means to picture quality will make you a more savvy high-definition buyer. In television terms, resolution refers to the clarity of the screen image based on the number of pixels on the screen. HDTV is the clear winner on resolution. For example, the image on an older 4:3 aspect ratio screen typically is divided into 480 lines, each with 720 pixels. An HDTV with 1080 lines with 1920 pixels in each line has six times the pixel density.

Choosing Your Source for HD Programming

Cable, Broadcast or Satellite?

Time Warner Cable
Time Warner Cable’s digital cable package is the starting point for enjoying HD programming.  An HD set-top/receiver will deliver both standard digital and HD programs from one device. Your costs will include the price of the digital cable package, which includes the HD set-top.  That’s it.  It’s that simple. There is no additional cost for the HD programming provided by the traditional networks ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and PBS, or for Discovery Theater and TNT HD, although there are additional fees associated with HBO, Showtime, ESPN, HDNET and INHD.  We do not require a one or two year service agreement for digital or HD service and we provide 24/7 local support.

Broadcast
It seems more HD programming becomes available every day. There are some cost and program availability issues you need to analyze as you select between the three options you have for receiving HD programming. To view HD programming provided by the traditional networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS, etc.) you need a special antenna and an HD tuner/receiver, but your signal quality may vary based on your geographical location. The most positive aspect of this choice is the programming is free. You will incur costs for an antenna and the receiver. One negative is you are limited to viewing only the programming that the networks select for HD transmission. You won’t have access to specialty HD programming from sources such as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, Discovery Channel, HD-NET, etc. that can be delivered by cable or satellite.

Satellite
In addition to the cost of the standard digital service contract and a charge for local channels (if they are available), you may also have to pay an additional fee for HD service on top of the cost for your basic satellite service. And don’t forget about the long-term commitment the satellite companies routinely require in order to qualify for certain packages, and the lack of a local contact if you have any equipment problems.

HDTV-Capable monitor or HDTV-Ready television?

HDTV-Ready or HDTV-Capable?

As you scan the advertisements in the newspaper from your local consumer electronics retailers you may notice a variance of $300-500 for HD products with the same sized screens. Some of that may be attributable to the display technology the units use but more likely it is the result of what an HDTV-Ready television includes that is not available from an HDTV-capable monitor.

HDTV-Ready Television

• Aspect ratio of 16:9 or 4:3 with scanning rates supported of 720p and 1080i, or higher.
• Requires an external HDTV tuner (cable HD set-top or satellite HD receiver) to receive HD programs from cable or satellite. For off-air broadcasts, requires an HDTV receiver and antenna.
• To hear Dolby Audio, you will need a dedicated audio system connected to whichever HDTV receiver you use.

HDTV-Capable Monitor

• Aspect ratio of 16:9 or 4:3 with scanning rates supported of 720p and 1080i, or higher.
• Built-in HDTV tuner is ready for off-air HD signals from a special antenna. To view cable and satellite HDTV programming, a cable set-top or satellite receiver is required.
• To hear Dolby Audio, you will need a dedicated audio system connected to the HDTV-ready television for off-air audio or to the HD set-top or satellite HD receiver for audio.

CableCARD Devices and Digital Cable-Ready Televisions: Another Option

As you shop for an HDTV, you may see some digital cable-ready televisions (DTV) that can receive digital cable service (including HD programming) using a small plug-in card instead of a cable set-top. The CableCARD devices look much like PCMCIA cards used to add modems or memory to laptops.  Before you decide to purchase a TV with CableCARD capability, contact your cable operator to be sure it can provide you with the necessary CableCARD. Current versions of these cards do not support two-way, on demand cable service or an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG). You’ll have to use a telephone connection to receive downloaded EPG information. Development is underway to provide cards that support two-way services.

The Right Display for Your Home

What type of display technology is best for your viewing habits and your home?

Which Type of Display?
HDTVs are available in several types of displays, each with its pluses and minuses. Depending on the method used for displaying the on-screen image, you may notice differences in picture brightness or clarity based on the viewing angle or for other reasons. Be sure you have a location in your home that is big enough to accommodate the HDTV. Some of the projection models may require a fair amount of floor space. You don’t want to end up putting nose prints on your HDTV because you’re sitting three feet from the screen in a room that is undersized for the set you buy. Also, be aware of where the windows are in the room where you’ll use your new HDTV. The room’s brightness can have an impact on the display type you choose. These are the primary display technologies you’ll see in stores today:

Direct View CRT (Cathode Ray Tube)
This is the familiar TV tube found in most “regular” television sets. It is one of the lower-cost  technologies available for displaying today’s HDTV programs. However, because of the weight of the glass tube, these HD television sets are limited to a maximum size of 32 to 40 inches.

Rear Projection TV
This is another type of CRT system. In Rear Projection televisions, the image is projected onto a mirror or series of mirrors that reflect the image onto the screen at the front of the set. Rear Projection technology is often the least expensive way to get a larger screen compared with a regular CRT. However, Rear Projection sets get deeper as screen size increases, so large screen models require a lot of space. Viewing angle may affect the perceived clarity of the on-screen image.

Front Projection TV
This system has an image source that projects the HDTV signals onto a screen pretty much the same way a projector does in a movie theater. The only factors that limit size in these systems are the  amount of light the system outputs, the distance from the projector to the screen and the size of the screen onto which the HDTV images are to be projected.

DLP (Digital Light Processing)
This projection display technology is more expensive than CRT projection systems, but not as costly as LCD or plasma screens. Using a digital micromirror device, DLP images are produced by hundreds of thousands of microscopic mirrors, one for each pixel on the screen. This results in razor sharp picture quality and the ability to display very subtle color changes to support over 16 million hues on the HDTV screen. The DLP light engine delivers a bright picture to the screen making this display a good choice for use in a bright room. Pixels are tightly packed to deliver good color and resolution. DLP is popular choice for a projection display that combines value with performance.

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
This technology has been used for some time in laptop computer screens. LCDs are flat  screens/panels filled with liquid. Each pixel on the screen is lighted individually to produce a display. One strength of LCDs is the picture quality is very consistent even when you are not viewing images
from directly in front of the display.

LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon)
LCoS is the next step in LCD technology and offers remarkable resolution because several million pixels are etched into each of the silicon chips that make up the display. This superior, concentrated pixel count delivers a great image and enables LCoS displays to be manufactured in much smaller versions for use in portable devices.

Plasma Displays
Some larger flat screens/panels use a conductive plasma instead of liquid crystal. These are commonly called plasma displays. Plasma displays are very sleek and thin, making them a hot choice among consumers who say this technology delivers the best color saturation, accuracy and vibrancy.

A Few Words About HDTV Connectors
You’ll need to become familiar with the three most common inputs for HDTV that you will come across in your search for the display best suited to fit your needs.

These HDTV connectors maximize your viewing experience:

Component Video Using a three plug video connector, component video delivers the best viewing experience by supporting superior color details, improved color purity, and a reduction in the impact that interference or other poor signal quality issues may have.
Digital Visual Interface (DVI)  DVI connectors transfer video signals in pure digital form, which is especially beneficial if you're using a plasma, LCD, or DLP TV. Signals are encrypted with HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) to prevent recording. There are two types of DVI connectors - DVI-D carries digital-only signals and DVI-I passes both digital and analog video signals. Some TVs feature DVI-I inputs for greater hookup flexibility.
High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)  An HDMI connector supports an all-digital link between an HD cable set-top or satellite receiver that combines digital video and digital audio on one connection rather than using separate connectors for each function. This delivers extremely high-quality digital video and audio. HDMI is fully backwards compatible with DVI.