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What is HDTV?
High-definition video
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
High-definition video or HDTV generally refers to any video system of higher resolution than standard-definition (SD), i.e. NTSC,
SÉCAM and PAL. Original HD specifications date back to the early 1980s, when Japan experimented with a 1025-line TV standard.
Japan presented their parameters at an international meeting of television engineers in Algiers in 1981 and Japan's NHK presented its
analog HDTV system at Swiss conference in 1983. Except for these early analog formats, HDTV is broadcast digitally, and therefore its
introduction sometimes coincides with the introduction of digital television (DTV).
High-definition signals require a high-definition television or computer monitor in order to be viewed. High-definition video generally has
an aspect ratio of 16:9 (1.78:1). The aspect ratio of regular wide screen film shot today is typically 1.85:1 or 2.40:1. Standard-definition
television (SDTV) has a 4:3 (1.33:1) aspect ratio.
High-definition television (HDTV) resolution is 1080 or 720 lines. In contrast, regular digital television is 480 lines (NTSC-like) or 576
lines (PAL/SECAM-like). Current DVD quality is not high-definition, though high-definition disc systems like HD-DVD and Blu-ray are
expected to be released in 2006.
Historically, the term high-definition television was also used to refer to television standards developed in the 1930s to replace the early
experimental systems, although, not so long afterwards, Philo T. Farnsworth, John Logie Baird and Vladimir Zworykin had each
developed competing TV systems but resolution was not the issue that separated their substantially different technologies. It was
patent interference lawsuits and deployment issues given the tumultuous financial climate of the late 20's and 30's. Most patents were
expiring by the end of World War II leaving the market wide open and no worldwide standard for television agreed upon. The world
used analog PAL, NTSC, SECAM and other standards for over half a century.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
High-definition video or HDTV generally refers to any video system of higher resolution than standard-definition (SD), i.e. NTSC,
SÉCAM and PAL. Original HD specifications date back to the early 1980s, when Japan experimented with a 1025-line TV standard.
Japan presented their parameters at an international meeting of television engineers in Algiers in 1981 and Japan's NHK presented its
analog HDTV system at Swiss conference in 1983. Except for these early analog formats, HDTV is broadcast digitally, and therefore its
introduction sometimes coincides with the introduction of digital television (DTV).
High-definition signals require a high-definition television or computer monitor in order to be viewed. High-definition video generally has
an aspect ratio of 16:9 (1.78:1). The aspect ratio of regular wide screen film shot today is typically 1.85:1 or 2.40:1. Standard-definition
television (SDTV) has a 4:3 (1.33:1) aspect ratio.
High-definition television (HDTV) resolution is 1080 or 720 lines. In contrast, regular digital television is 480 lines (NTSC-like) or 576
lines (PAL/SECAM-like). Current DVD quality is not high-definition, though high-definition disc systems like HD-DVD and Blu-ray are
expected to be released in 2006.
Historically, the term high-definition television was also used to refer to television standards developed in the 1930s to replace the early
experimental systems, although, not so long afterwards, Philo T. Farnsworth, John Logie Baird and Vladimir Zworykin had each
developed competing TV systems but resolution was not the issue that separated their substantially different technologies. It was
patent interference lawsuits and deployment issues given the tumultuous financial climate of the late 20's and 30's. Most patents were
expiring by the end of World War II leaving the market wide open and no worldwide standard for television agreed upon. The world
used analog PAL, NTSC, SECAM and other standards for over half a century.
HDTV Display Types:
BUILT-IN HDTV:
Most Projectors, Plasma, LCD and DLP televisions are HD-capable and have built-in ATSC, QAM and NTSC or external tuner boxes
known also as dual tuners. This enables the video display to receive over-the-air HD broadcasts from an HDTV source such as a
Satellite or Cable Box/Card. Some local channels are available in HD with an external antenna in some markets.
HDTV READY:
These are known as HDTV monitors and usually include a built in NTSC tuner for receiving Analog broadcast signals. These monitors
can only broadcast in HD with the use of an HDTV source such as a Satellite, HD Cable Box/Card or HD DVD player.
HDTV vs. Standard Definition:
Past Television models such as older tube TV’s came with 480 horizontal lines of resolution and a peak 720 pixels. HDTV's have the
capability to reproduce up to 1080 horizontal lines resolution with a peak of 1920 pixels. This results in a picture that is crystal clear and
life like. With up to 5 times the resolution it’s no wonder HDTV is quickly becoming the standard in television.
Receiving HDTV:
• HDTV Ready or Built-In HDTV television
• Request an HDTV receiver from your cable or satellite provider. Purchasing or fees may be required from provider.
• Subscribe to an HDTV package from satellite or cable provider.
• Use of the correct cables is also needed for configuration of HDTV components. HDMI, DVI or Component video cables (RGB)
are needed for HDTV reception. HDMI is becoming the preferred cable as it supports standard, enhanced and High Definition video
plus digital multi channel audio on a single cable. These cables usually are not provided by the manufacturer and must be purchased
separately. Remember when it comes to cables quality counts, upgrading your cables will significantly improve your audio and video
signals.
Most Projectors, Plasma, LCD and DLP televisions are HD-capable and have built-in ATSC, QAM and NTSC or external tuner boxes
known also as dual tuners. This enables the video display to receive over-the-air HD broadcasts from an HDTV source such as a
Satellite or Cable Box/Card. Some local channels are available in HD with an external antenna in some markets.
HDTV READY:
These are known as HDTV monitors and usually include a built in NTSC tuner for receiving Analog broadcast signals. These monitors
can only broadcast in HD with the use of an HDTV source such as a Satellite, HD Cable Box/Card or HD DVD player.
HDTV vs. Standard Definition:
Past Television models such as older tube TV’s came with 480 horizontal lines of resolution and a peak 720 pixels. HDTV's have the
capability to reproduce up to 1080 horizontal lines resolution with a peak of 1920 pixels. This results in a picture that is crystal clear and
life like. With up to 5 times the resolution it’s no wonder HDTV is quickly becoming the standard in television.
Receiving HDTV:
• HDTV Ready or Built-In HDTV television
• Request an HDTV receiver from your cable or satellite provider. Purchasing or fees may be required from provider.
• Subscribe to an HDTV package from satellite or cable provider.
• Use of the correct cables is also needed for configuration of HDTV components. HDMI, DVI or Component video cables (RGB)
are needed for HDTV reception. HDMI is becoming the preferred cable as it supports standard, enhanced and High Definition video
plus digital multi channel audio on a single cable. These cables usually are not provided by the manufacturer and must be purchased
separately. Remember when it comes to cables quality counts, upgrading your cables will significantly improve your audio and video
signals.
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