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HDTV, HDTV Reviews, High Definition TV, HDTV Faq, HDTV Plasma
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| What is DTV? |
| The standard for broadcasting picture and sound using
digital signals, DTV allows for dramatic improvements in both picture and
sound quality versus conventional NTSC analog programming. DTV programming
can be delivered in two basic formats: standard analog definition (SDTV)
or high definition (HDTV). |
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| DTV Format Comparison |
| Transmission Type |
Analog |
Digital |
Digital |
Digital |
Digital |
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NTSC |
Standard Definition |
Standard Definition |
High Definition |
High Definition |
| Maximum Resolution |
480i |
480i |
480p |
720p |
1080i |
| Aspect Ratio |
4:3 |
4:3 |
4:3 or 16:9 |
16:9 |
16:9 |
| Channel Capacity |
1 |
5-6 |
5-6 |
1-2 |
1 |
| Description |
Standard TV as we know it today |
Good Picture and Sound —DVD or DBS Quality |
Better, depending on source; can be
outstanding |
Best Possible |
Best Possible |
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| The highest form of digital television, delivering up to 1,080 scan lines,
HDTV produces images that go beyond anything you've ever seen in a home
environment. SDTV, or Standard Definition Television, is also a dramatic
improvement over today's TV, with the added benefit of allowing stations
to broadcast multiple programs within the same bandwidth as an HDTV signal. |
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| DTV Format Detail |
| ScanLines |
Scan Rate |
Pixelization |
Frame Rate |
Aspect Ratio |
Formats |
| SDTV |
525 total
480 active |
15.75 kHz (60i) |
480 x 640 |
24p, 30p, 60p or 60i
fps |
4:3 |
4 |
| 525 total
480 active |
31.5
kHz (60p) |
480 x
704 |
24p,
30p, 60p or 60i fps |
4:3
or 16:9 |
8(4x2) |
| HDTV |
750 total
720 active |
45 kHz (60p) |
720 x 1080 |
24p, 30p, 60p |
16:9 |
3 |
| 1125
total 1080 active |
33.75
kHz (60i) |
1080
x 1920 |
1920
24p, 30p, 60i |
16:9 |
3 |
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| Adopted DTV formats also include both interlaced and progressive broadcast
and display methods. |
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| Interlaced Scanning: The frame/picture is made up
of two fields —consisting of 525 lines (480 viewable) or 1125
lines (1080 viewable) |
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| All odd numbered lines are scanned on the screen in 1/60th of a
second |
All even numbered lines are scanned on the screen in 1/60th of a
second |
This presents an entire picture in 1/30th of a second |
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| Progressive Scanning : The frame/picture
is made up of one field —consisting of 525 lines (480 viewable) or
765 lines (720 viewable) |
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| All horizontal lines are scanned in succession in a single pass |
This presents an entire picture in 1/60th of a second (twice as
fast as interlaced) |
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Where is DTV programming?
Right now, a little over 50% of American homes
have access to digital television through the four major networks. By 2002,
100% of all commercial stations will offer digital programming. And according
to FCC mandate, all U.S. television stations must begin digital broadcasting
by 2003, and be exclusively digital by 2006. It's time you went digital.
It's in your future. |
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| DTV Broadcast Timeline |
| 1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
| Top 4 Networks and Top 10 Markets by May 1 (30% households) |
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All Commercial Stations by May 1 (100% households) |
| Top 4 Networks and Top 30 Markets
by November 1 (53% households) |
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| 2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
| All PBS by May 1 |
75% Simulcast by April 3 |
100% Simulcast by April 3 |
All Stations 100% Digital |
| 50% Content Simulcast |
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Return Analog Spectrum |
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