Definition

HDTV (high definition television) is a technology that provides television picture quality similar to 35 mm movies with a very high sound quality. Some television stations transmit HDTV broadcasts to viewers on certain channels.

Features

With approximately 2,073,600 pixels, high definition contains more tiny individual color squares per picture than standard definition video, which has 337,920. High definition's six formats consist of either 1920 x 1080 resolution using scan rates of 24p, 30p or 60i, or 1280 x 720 resolution with scan rates 24p, 30p or 60p. The number of frames per second, the scan rate, is either interlacing (i) or progressive (p). Interlacing quickly alternates lines of a picture, while progressive rates show the full picture at once.

Size

Following the wide ratio of films, all high definition has always had the wide 16:9 size ratio screen format, as opposed to the 4:3 ratio that was originally the only option.

Significance

According to EBU Technical Review, "The introduction of the 1920 x 1080 picture format represented an industry breakthrough when it was recognized and accepted by the ITU as the worldwide 'Common Image Format.' " High definition is the first globally accepted image format in television history.

Benefits

As HD popularity rises, costs decrease. More cable channels shoot programs in HD and offer HD channels. According to highdef.com, high-def video compares to film, "but also offers the ease of use, consistency of picture and sound quality, and the control associated with digital video."

Misconceptions

Just because a television is digital does not mean it generates a high-definition picture.

Source:

Highdef Magazine

Plasma and Flat Screen TV

EBU Technical Media Technology

Resource:

Crutchfield North American's Electronics Specialist

Axiom Home Theaters