Knowing HDTV
October 14, 2007 6:37 am High DefinitionI am sure you’re well aware of the appearance of High Definition Television (HDTV) in electronics retail stores. Wide screen, slim TV size, and crystal clear picture quality – these conclude the public’s general impression on the new technology.
How HDTV really works?
HDTV is so clear because of its flicker free picture quality, produced via a TV scanning method named ‘progressive’.
The ‘progressive scan’ is capable to refresh all 1 million pixels on the TV screen simultaneously, which thus, produce a flicker free picture. Flicker-free image makes text easier to read with human eyes and fast-motion video appears smoother than televisions that use interlaced scanning.
What is the difference between HDTV and analog TV?
HDTV is quite different from the normal analog TV – picture resolutions, motion pictures scanning, as well as the picture ratio.
TV picture resolution is what differentiates HDTV and normal analog TV the most. HDTV pictures quality can be easily goes up to 1 million active pixels – for instant 720p HD resolution is 1280 x 720, while the 1080i HD resolution is 1920 x 1080. The resolution on normal TV is much smaller where it normally takes about 480 resolution lines.
Screen ration is another key comparison point between HDTV and analog TV. Take example on Dish Network HD, Dish broadcasts all HD programs in widescreen (16:9) format. While for standard analog TV, the screen ratio is at (4:3) format. Also, as said earlier, HDTV uses “progressive scanning” method to produce the flicker-free image for smoother motion picture; while analog TV uses “interlaced” scan .
HDTV and HD programming
One must know that owning HDTV system itself is not sufficient to provide the ultimate HD experience.
In order to fully utilize HD features on the TV, you will need High Definition programming as well. Currently both cable (Comcast for example) and satellite TV (namely Dish Network and DirecTV) providers are providing high definition programming.
Comcast, at the time of writing, is the leading cable company that provides the most HD programming. In fact they have cover most of the HD channels from the major networks in their cable TV services, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN HD, HBO HD, Showtime HD, Cinemax HD, Discovery HD, and TNT HD. On the other hand, Dish Network as the leading satellite HD provider has about 30 HD channels in their package. Some of the examples of Dish HD programs include A&E HD, Animania HD, Discovery HD Theater, Equator HD, ESPN HD, ESPN2 HD, Family Room HD, Film Fest HD, Food Network HD, HBO HD, Cinemax HD, HDNet, and HDNet Movies.