| The technology behind HD television has actually | | | | progressive scanning system) and the aspect ratios |
| been over half-a-century in the making. The idea | | | | (aspect ratio refers to the ratio of the width of the |
| came about in the 1930s, but it was not until much | | | | picture to the height of the picture, and the wider |
| later that it was ready for practical application. | | | | images of digital add to its clarity) used. |
| Nowadays, this high-resolution standard is really taking | | | | Digital images are made up of pixels (rather than |
| off, with more and more programming being offered | | | | waves, as analog images are), and the more pixels |
| in this format all the time. To help you understand a | | | | that are used per frame, the clear the image they |
| little more about this revolutionary way of watching | | | | make up is. High-definition programming uses more |
| TV, here is some information on the ins and outs of | | | | pixels per frame than regular digital programming, |
| HDTV. | | | | which is what accounts for the crystal-clear pictures. |
| HD, or high-definition programming represents the | | | | Combine that with the digital, theater-caliber audio |
| highest-quality resolution available in digital format. The | | | | format of HDTV, and what you have is an amazing |
| superior picture and sound quality is possible because | | | | television experience. |
| of the way that digital format is broadcast. Unlike the | | | | When you consider all the benefits of HD television, it |
| now defunct analog format, which broadcast | | | | is hard to come up with a reason why anyone would |
| programs by separating sound and picture signals and | | | | not want to take advantage of the increasing |
| transmitting them independently, digital programming | | | | accessibility of this technology. With a high-definition |
| joins together the sound and picture signals and | | | | television, you can have a movie-theater-like |
| transmits as complete units of information. Perhaps | | | | experience from the comfort of your own home. |
| you are familiar with the series of 1s and 0s in which | | | | However, if you do not have the right TV, you will |
| this data is encoded. | | | | not be able to get the full-effects of digital format. |
| This method of compressing signals results in overall | | | | For example, in order to receive high-definition |
| clearer, more vivid images (including more life-like | | | | transmissions, your TV will need to have what is |
| colors) and crisper sound quality. You also will not | | | | called an HD tuner. This device is built into most of |
| experience fuzziness or fade effects with digital | | | | the newer models of TVs that are out there, but if |
| broadcasts - if there is a problem with the reception, | | | | you are using an older TV set, you may need to get |
| though, you may get a momentary black screen. | | | | an external tuner. You can usually get one of these in |
| Other differences between digital broadcasts and | | | | the form of a set-top box from your cable or |
| analog broadcasts include the scanning systems used | | | | satellite TV provider when you sign up for service. |
| (digital broadcasts employ an interlaced scanning | | | | To find out more, contact your cable or satellite |
| system, while analog broadcasts depend on a | | | | provider today. |