HDTV World > HDTV FAQ

The basics

• What is HDTV?
• Just how much sharper is HDTV than regular TV?
• What's the difference between 720p, 1080i and 1080p HD formats?
• How is the sound quality on HD shows?
• Can I record HDTV shows and movies?
• Do I need a new TV to watch high-definition TV shows?
  
  

All about HDTVs

• How much do HDTVs cost?
• What kind of HDTV should I buy?
• Why are HDTV screens wider than regular TV screens?
• How will regular TV shows look on an HDTV set?
• How will my DVDs look on an HDTV set?
• Is Blu-ray really an improvement over DVD?
  
  

HDTV programming

• Will my local TV stations stop broadcasting analog signals anytime soon?
• Is HD available in my area?
• What extra equipment do I need to get HDTV?
• Will my over-the-air HDTV picture ever suffer from static or ghosting?
• Which TV and cable networks are available in HD?
• Are all of the national HD networks available through my cable or satellite provider?
• What about Netflix's Internet streaming, iTunes, Vudu, and other Internet-based services--do they have HD content?
  

The basics

What is HDTV?
HDTV stands for high-definition television, and it marks the biggest leap forward for television since color TV made its debut in the 1950s. HDTV images are more than twice as detailed as standard analog TV, delivering rich, realistic images, as well as multichannel, movie-theater-quality surround sound. HDTVs can display both regular and HDTV images, but they need HD sources to look their best.

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Just how much sharper is HDTV than regular TV?
Analog TV--what we've been watching for more than 60 years--has a resolution that's equivalent to about 640x480 pixels. An HDTV program, on the other hand, has a resolution that tops out at 1,920x1,080 pixels, more than six times as sharp in best-case scenarios. The difference is obvious. One look at, say, a razor-sharp image of a crocodile rolling in the mud on Discovery HD, and you'll understand.

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What's the difference between 720p,1080i and 1080p -HD formats?
First, let's look where each format is used. In the broadcasting world (cable, satellite, or over-the-air), 720p and 1080i formats are the predominant format, while 1080p is used by Blu-ray and some Video-On-Demand services. Most of today's larger HDTVs support all three formats. All three look great, but here are differences. The numbers 720 and 1080 refer to vertical pixel counts, while the letters p and i refer to the picture-scanning method--either progressive or interlaced. Proponents of 1080i HD will tell you that they offer the most lines of resolution, which is true. However, 1080i images are interlaced, meaning that a tube TV draws the picture in two passes: once for the odd-numbered lines, and again for the even-numbered lines. For 720p, or progressive, broadcasts, tube TVs draw each frame in a single pass, making for a smoother picture. It's important to note that all non-tube TVs, including plasmas, LCDs, and DLP rear-projection HDTVs, convert everything to progressive-scan, making it even harder to tell the difference between the two broadcast formats. 1080p, on the other hand, marries the benefits of both formats, offering the most lines of resolution and the smoother picture of a progressively drawn image. You'll find this being used with Blu-ray, Vudu's HTX movies, and some of on-demand content. Don't expect to see your local HD channel broadcast in 1080p anytime soon, however, as the costs to upgrade the equipment and infrastructure far outweigh the benefits for most broadcasters right now.
If these numbers are making your head spin, take heart: the average TV viewer is hard-pressed to notice any difference among the three formats. Once you get to high-def, it all looks pretty darn good.

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How is the sound quality on HD shows?
At best, standard-definition shows have 4-channel Dolby surround sound (left, center, right, and one rear "surround" channel), but they usually have 2-channel stereo. High-definition broadcasts, on the other hand, support 5.1-channel Dolby Digital surround sound (left, center, right, left and right surround, and a subwoofer--the .1 part, for booming bass). This is similar to the sound you hear in a movie theater or, with the properly equipped home theater, on a DVD. Not all HD broadcasts have 5.1 Dolby Digital yet, but the majority do, and you'll hear--and feel--the difference. Of course, you'll need a home-theater audio system to take full advantage of it.

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Can I record HDTV shows and movies?
Not without new equipment. Standard-definition VCRs, DVD recorders, and digital video recorders (DVRs) such as standard TiVo can't record programming in high-definition. To do so, most people today use an HD DVR, which will record your favorite HD shows to a hard disk. Many cable providers now offer HD DVRs that you rent for an additional fee added to your cable bill, while satellite providers DirecTV and Dish Network offer their own models. More cable-compatible HD DVRs, such as TiVo HD, are also becoming available from third-party vendors thanks to CableCard, which allows them to replace cable-company-supplied boxes. Aside from HD DVRs, you can also use specially equipped PCs to record over-the-air HD programming from an antenna. There's still no easy way to record HD shows to removable media such as a disc, but future HD DVD and/or Blu-ray recorders may enable this functionality.
Do I need a new TV to watch high-definition TV shows?
Yes. You'll need both a TV that's capable of displaying high-definition (HDTV) images as well as a digital tuner (cable, satellite, or over-the-air) to receive the HD signals. All new HDTV sets come with their own digital tuners, which allow them to display free high-def programming from the major networks received over an antenna. If you have an HDTV and are watching via a digital tuner, you'll also need to tune to an HDTV show on a high-def channel to be watching HD.

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All about HDTVs

How much do HDTVs cost?
Back in the late 1990s, you couldn't buy an HDTV set for less than $5,000. In the last few years, however, prices have dropped dramatically. For as little as $500, you can pick up a smaller LCD TV that's capable of displaying HDTV images. That said, you can still drop the big bucks on an HDTV, especially a large LCD or plasma TV.

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What kind of HDTV should I buy?
The right HDTV set for you depends on your budget and the size of screen that you need. For a small room such as a kitchen, an LCD TV is a good choice. If you'll be sitting more than five feet from the screen, you'll want a 32-inch or larger set to appreciate the detail of HDTV. Both flat-panel TV types (LCD and plasma) save space and can be hung on a wall but are relatively pricey. For larger rooms, the best value is a rear-projection set--you may see them referred to as DLP TVs. They are bulkier than a flat-panel TV, but these 50-inch-or-larger sets offer a lot more screen real estate for the money. If that's still not big enough, you may want a front-projection TV or, more accurately, a home-theater projector, that can fill a 100-inch-diagonal screen.

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Why are HDTV screens wider than regular TV screens?
For decades, our TV screens have been slightly wider than they are tall. Specifically, their ratio of width to height is 4 to 3, known as a 4:3 aspect ratio. Most HDTV screens, on the other hand, have an aspect ratio of 16:9, the same as many movie screens. That means television shows shot in wide-screen will look more cinematic, and many movies will fit on an HDTV screen without letterboxing (horizontal black bars at the top and bottom of the screen). There are exceptions, namely ultrawide "scope" movies such as Lord of the Rings and Star Wars, which still have letterbox bars on a wide-screen TV. Remember that not all HD programming is wide-screen, and when viewing either standard or high-def 4:3 programming on a wide-screen HDTV, you may get the opposite effect: vertical black or gray bars on the left and right of the screen.

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How will regular TV shows look on an HDTV set?
It really depends on screen size. Some standard-definition programming may look a little sharper and cleaner on your HDTV set, but more often, it looks worse. That's because all the little flaws and murkiness inherent in regular TV images become that much more obvious when blown up to larger sizes, especially when compared to crystal-clear HD channels. In addition, because SD programming has a narrow aspect ratio of 4:3, you'll see black bars on the left and right sides of the picture if you're watching on a wide-screen 16:9 set. If the black bars bother you, adjustments on all HDTVs can make 4:3 programming fill a 16:9 screen, but when doing so, they crop or distort the image.
How will my DVDs look on an HDTV set?
Excellent, if not quite as good as a true high-def images. Today's DVD players generate between 450 and 480 lines of horizontal resolution, which still counts as standard definition. However, DVDs are very high-quality image sources compared to standard-definition broadcast or cable channels. Most DVDs are anamorphic or enhanced for wide-screen to fully utilize the extra screen real estate.
Is Blu-ray really an improvement over DVD?
DVD offers excellent image quality and most people find it perfectly acceptable, but Blu-ray looks noticeably better as long as it's played on HDTVs, especially larger ones. Blu-ray pumps up to two million pixels into your HDTV, compared to about 345,000 for DVD. It also has a higher bit rate and better color, all of which translate to the best picture available today. Audio is also slightly improved with Blu-ray, but you'll need the right equipment and a very keen ear to tell the difference. Right now, however, DVD has a big price advantage over Blu-ray. DVD discs are far cheaper, and a typical standalone player can be had for less than $100. Furthermore, now with services like Vudu and Direct TV's Video on Demand coming onto the scene, pure hi-def content can be viewed from a number of sources. Buyers aren't restricted to buying discs anymore, which may ultimately hinder Blu-ray's adoption rate.

HDTV programming

Will my local TV stations stop broadcasting analog signals any time soon?
Yes. The FCC has set a deadline for television stations to stop broadcasting their over-the-air analog TV signals: June 12, 2009. After that date, standard analog TVs that get their programming via an over-the-air antenna will go dark (this deadline does not affect cable or satellite service, just terrestrial broadcasts). The government has set up a subsidy program that will provide $40 coupons that can be used to pay for a special digital converter box that can allow analog TVs to receive and display digital broadcasts.

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Is HD available in my area?
Most likely, yes. Thousands of local television stations broadcast over-the-air high-definition signals, and today more than 99 percent of U.S. households are in range of at least one HDTV station. If you're a digital cable subscriber (analog subscribers must upgrade to digital to receive HDTV), your provider likely offers HD channels. Even if you live in a rural area, you can get your HDTV via satellite providers DirecTV or Dish Network. Other services such as Verizon's Fios and AT&T's U-verse compete against cable and satellite in some areas of the country.

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What extra equipment do I need to get HDTV?
Still using an over-the-air antenna? Believe it or not, that same antenna may work with pick up HDTV signals--all you need is an HDTV tuner (usually built into the TV itself) and a local TV station that's broadcasting in HD. If you're a digital cable subscriber, most cable companies rent HDTV boxes that allow you HDTV to display all of the cable company's HD channels and HD DVRs that allow you to record them. Satellite providers DirecTV and Dish Network also offer HD set-top boxes, usually for a bit more than their standard-def counterparts.
Will my over-the-air HDTV picture ever suffer from static or ghosting?
Over-the-air HD broadcasts are still susceptible to interference from hills or tall buildings, but instead of getting static or ghosting--a faint double image--you'll just get a blank screen or occasional breakup for a weak signal. If you plan on receiving your HD from an over-the-air antenna, you'll need some patience and help from a resource such as AntennaWeb.org, a site that offers advice on which antenna to use and even coordinates for picking up local HD stations in your area.

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Which TV and cable networks are available in HD?
Today just about every network is available in high definition. For starters, all the major broadcast networks, including ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, PBS, and the CW produce at almost all of their scripted shows, including comedies and dramas, as well as many reality shows, in high-definition. Many local news broadcasts are also in high-def. Meanwhile, almost all major cable channels have gone HD for much of their programs. A high-def version of CNN is widely available, along with The History Channel, Food Network, A&E, HGTV, The National Geographic Channel, the SciFi Channel, Comedy Central, and others. All of the premium movie channels like HBO and Showtime, along with many of their spin-off channels like HB02 and Showtime Extreme, also get the high-def treatment.
Are all of the national HD networks available through my cable or satellite provider?
No, each provider offers different networks, and nobody currently offers all of the national HD networks. But thanks to new technologies, both cable and satellite are increasing the number of both local and national channels they offer. Cable companies are slowly transitioning to all-digital systems and next-generation technology such as switched digital video, which are both designed to free up bandwidth for more HD channels. MPEG-4 AVC compression technology, which greatly increases the bandwidth available for transmitting video, lets cable and satellite providers ramp up their national HD network offerings, to more than 100 in some cases. Verizon's Fios service, for its part, also has more than 100 HD channels in many locations. Check out our programming table to get a sense of what channels are currently available in hi-def from the various Pay TV providers.
What about Netflix's Internet streaming, Vudu, iTunes and other Internet-based services--do they have HD content?
Discs, either Blu-ray or DVD, may become passé someday if Netflix, Vudu and Apple have their way. Each service offers a growing library of movie and television titles, available immediately from the Internet by the click of the remote. Vudu and Netflix are fee-based services and only Vudu right now offers 1080p hi-def videos. For iTunes, on the other hand, you can either rent or buy a HD movie or television show, but only at 720p resolution--a benefit if you want to pay as you watch. All three services are cheaper in the long run than investing in an expensive Blu-ray collection and having the inconvenience of popping in and out a stack of discs. But they do have their shortcomings: not every title is available and you do need a fast Internet connection available to properly use the services. This may be the future of how we view all our hi-def content, but as of now it's still mostly a niche market for the average user.