HDTV FAQ
Let's clear up a few common misconceptions about what 'HDTV' is and isn't. I'll be adding to this article for a few days, so bear with me.
1. Broadcast resolutions considered to be current 'HD' are either 1280x720p or 1920x1080i. There may be some modifications of this per broadcast, but these are the standards. Digital cable or digital satellite is not necessarily HD. Standard Definition (SD) has been broadcast digitally in these mediums for several years with a resolution of 720x480i. DVD movies are not HD, and run in the same resolution as digital cable or satellite.
2. 'Full HD' is sales jargon for 1920x1080p, and generally the screen has processing capabilities to upconvert any incoming signal to 1920x1080p. This often misleads the consumer into believing that unless they get a '1080p' TV they are not getting HD. A 40" or 42" screen viewed from a distance of 8' will have very little to no discernable difference whether it is a '720p' or a '1080p'.
3. The difference between LCD and Plasma: crutchfieldadvisor, cnet, youtube
4. If you subscribe to either cable or satellite, and watch that content exclusively, your old television will continue to function as it does now, right through the US analog broadcast shutdown. Only those relying on terrestrial broadcast television (ie: antenna [NOT satellite]) will be affected.
5. Canadian cable companies do not guarantee HD signals known as clear QAM will be broadcast through your coaxial connection. Some smaller companies do broadcast them through their network, others do not. These signals can start and stop without warning, or move to a different channel. In order to see consistent HD from your Canadian cable provider, you must purchase or rent a set-top box (STB) from your provider. This is also true for satellite, in that in order to see HD content, you must have an HD STB from your satellite provider.
One remaining caveat when setting up your HD STB, make sure you have an HDMI, DVI or compontent cable carrying signal to your TV. Most technicians will hook up the coaxial cable only, leaving you watching your HD STB through SD channel 3 or 4. This is not HD. Channels 3 or 4 are NTSC and cannot carry an HD signal.
6. There is no such thing as an 'HDTV' antenna. Terrestrial HD is transmitted in UHF, and can be received on any antenna capable of receiving UHF, such as a rooftop antenna. There are antennas that will work indoors, however, it will depend upon your proximity to the broadcast tower.
7. Having an HDTV with a 'digital tuner' does not mean you will be able to get rid of your STB from your cable or satellite provider. (see #5) The digital tuner in an HDTV is ATSC in format, and will only receive those signals. Those signals are only broadcast through the air in the UHF bandwidth.
8. The measurement that you see a screen sold as refer to it's diagonal size, not it's horizontal width.
1. Broadcast resolutions considered to be current 'HD' are either 1280x720p or 1920x1080i. There may be some modifications of this per broadcast, but these are the standards. Digital cable or digital satellite is not necessarily HD. Standard Definition (SD) has been broadcast digitally in these mediums for several years with a resolution of 720x480i. DVD movies are not HD, and run in the same resolution as digital cable or satellite.
2. 'Full HD' is sales jargon for 1920x1080p, and generally the screen has processing capabilities to upconvert any incoming signal to 1920x1080p. This often misleads the consumer into believing that unless they get a '1080p' TV they are not getting HD. A 40" or 42" screen viewed from a distance of 8' will have very little to no discernable difference whether it is a '720p' or a '1080p'.
3. The difference between LCD and Plasma: crutchfieldadvisor, cnet, youtube
4. If you subscribe to either cable or satellite, and watch that content exclusively, your old television will continue to function as it does now, right through the US analog broadcast shutdown. Only those relying on terrestrial broadcast television (ie: antenna [NOT satellite]) will be affected.
5. Canadian cable companies do not guarantee HD signals known as clear QAM will be broadcast through your coaxial connection. Some smaller companies do broadcast them through their network, others do not. These signals can start and stop without warning, or move to a different channel. In order to see consistent HD from your Canadian cable provider, you must purchase or rent a set-top box (STB) from your provider. This is also true for satellite, in that in order to see HD content, you must have an HD STB from your satellite provider.
One remaining caveat when setting up your HD STB, make sure you have an HDMI, DVI or compontent cable carrying signal to your TV. Most technicians will hook up the coaxial cable only, leaving you watching your HD STB through SD channel 3 or 4. This is not HD. Channels 3 or 4 are NTSC and cannot carry an HD signal.
6. There is no such thing as an 'HDTV' antenna. Terrestrial HD is transmitted in UHF, and can be received on any antenna capable of receiving UHF, such as a rooftop antenna. There are antennas that will work indoors, however, it will depend upon your proximity to the broadcast tower.
7. Having an HDTV with a 'digital tuner' does not mean you will be able to get rid of your STB from your cable or satellite provider. (see #5) The digital tuner in an HDTV is ATSC in format, and will only receive those signals. Those signals are only broadcast through the air in the UHF bandwidth.
8. The measurement that you see a screen sold as refer to it's diagonal size, not it's horizontal width.
Comments
Post a Comment