HDTV

All the information you need to find the perfect HDTV

HDTV is a form of digital television. Digital television is where pure digital television signals are transmitted over the air, a cable or satellite system. A decoder unscrambles the signal and pictures appear on your television. HDTV or "high definition television" is high resolution digital television which is combined with Dolby Digital surround sound.

So HDTV is currently the highest resolution digital television based on the latest technology. What it really means for you is: a great image with great sound quality. To use high definition television you need to have special equipment so that the signal can be received.

There are eighteen different digital television formats. Six of these use HDTV formats. The different formats of high definition television are: 1) 720p - 1280x720 pixels progressive 2) 1080i - 1920x1080 pixels interlaced and 3) 1080p - 1920x1080 pixels progressive.

The terms "interlaced" or "progressive" refer to how the images are scanned. If the HDTV format is interlaced, the screen shows every odd line at one scan of the screen. This is followed by the even lines in a second scan. At 30 frames per second, the screen shows one half of the frame every sixtieth of a second. The problem with this is flicker but this usually only happens on larger screens.

Progressive scanning shows every line in a single showing, every sixtieth of a second - i.e. it shows the whole picture. Progressive scanning uses more bandwidth but offers a smoother image. The images on an HDTV are far better than on other types of television. The image is both sharper and wider and similar to that on a movie screen.

To get the full benefits of HTDV programming an HDTV tuner and a high-resolution monitor are required. Pictures will be more lifelike and sound is digital. Because HDTV has a very high resolution images are very clear and distinct. Films can be viewed in original width so you see more of it as it was intended to be seen.

Sony, Samsung, Pioneer - you name it - most manufacturers have HDTV models to choose from. So if you think it's time to get rid of your old analog set, HDTV might be just the trick to transport you into the future. Read as many reviews as you can before choosing the model that's right for you.

Here at hdtv-i.com, you'll find information on topics such as HDTV Reviews, HDTV Ratings, Plasma HDTV, HDTV Receivers, HDTV Tuner, and much, much more.