HDTV Reviews & HDTV Information|Let’s talk about HDTVs
Apr
21
Filed Under (HDTV) by Bill
Gareth Black asked:
With the recent rapid advances in the technology of home entertainment equipment, the introduction of High Definition TV (HDTV) has been at the forefront of these changes. Together with Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and Plasma TVs, HDTV has been the most accepted and pioneering new aspect of television over the past few years.
Brief overview of TV Transmission
In 1996 the introduction of Digital TV transmission sounded the death knell of Analog television. Although it’s taken many years for Analog to finally succumb to the improved technology that is Digital, the end will come early in 2009 when US broadcasters must by law cease to transmit Analog TV signals and transmit only in the Digital format.
Digital TV (SDTV) gave a superior picture and clearer sound than the out-of-date Analog system. Viewers had a TV viewing experience far in excess of what Analog could ever provide.
However in the years since the start of Digital transmission, television has improved even further and now one of the latest features is High Definition TV (HDTV). This again is a vast improvement on its predecessor the SDTV and provides a greatly improved television viewing experience.
HDTV is becoming more and more popular with new television buyers particularly at times when an important sporting event such as the Olympic Games is due to start. HDTV is particularly suited to sporting events - the movement of an athlete or a ball is crisp and precise. There is no ’shadow’ behind the athlete during fast movement.
For those people who still have an Analog TV then now may be the right time to move to a better TV system. They can either change to a SD television, or else the improved HDTV system.
The technical terms used explained:
‘Digital TV’ is the term used to describe SDTV
‘HDTV’ is the latest form of ‘Digital TV’ and is simply called ‘HDTV’
‘Digital TV’ does NOT refer to HDTV.
HDTV is the latest and best in modern TV technology
High definition TV was released in the late 90s to much acclaim from the TV experts because of the crisp, crystal-clear picture and the surround sound presentation. The quality of HDTV cannot be matched by standard definition TV, a point understood by someone seeing HDTV for the first time. Once the superiority of HDTV has been acknowledged, a viewer have difficulty in accepting the inferior SDTV format.
The factor that determines the quality of a TV picture is the number of vertical lines on the screen. The SDTV system is based on 480 to 576 lines. The more acceptable HDTV figure is about 1080 lines, with the minimum being set at 720 lines. At 1080 lines, the narrower lines gives a picture resolution of between 2 and 5 times better than SDTV, a difference that would persuade many to adopt HDTV.
However to receive high definition reception other factors need to be taken into account in addition to the type of television:
1) A suitable tuner will be needed. This could be incorporated in the TV, or else a set-top box unit may be necessary.
2) An appropriate satellite dish will be needed if the viewer subscribes to a satellite TV provider.
3) The viewer will need to be signed up to receive HD programs from the TV program provider.
4) The whole system will need to be configured correctly.
The increasing public interest and demand for HDTV is influencing the TV providers, both cable and satellite, to provide an increasing number of HD programming options for their subscribers. For example one of the two major satellite TV providers, Dish Network, at present provides over 80 channels in HD format, with many planned for the future.
The future of television is the HDTV format. This and the wide-screen concept give the viewing public want they’ve wanted for many years - a system that gives them as perfect a picture as possible, together with the very best audio presentation.
The author writes on satellite TV issues focusing on the programming deals offered by the dish TV companies. He also has an interest in the superior technology of HDTV as recently introduced by the Dish Network satellite TV provider.
Ylaine
With the recent rapid advances in the technology of home entertainment equipment, the introduction of High Definition TV (HDTV) has been at the forefront of these changes. Together with Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and Plasma TVs, HDTV has been the most accepted and pioneering new aspect of television over the past few years.
Brief overview of TV Transmission
In 1996 the introduction of Digital TV transmission sounded the death knell of Analog television. Although it’s taken many years for Analog to finally succumb to the improved technology that is Digital, the end will come early in 2009 when US broadcasters must by law cease to transmit Analog TV signals and transmit only in the Digital format.
Digital TV (SDTV) gave a superior picture and clearer sound than the out-of-date Analog system. Viewers had a TV viewing experience far in excess of what Analog could ever provide.
However in the years since the start of Digital transmission, television has improved even further and now one of the latest features is High Definition TV (HDTV). This again is a vast improvement on its predecessor the SDTV and provides a greatly improved television viewing experience.
HDTV is becoming more and more popular with new television buyers particularly at times when an important sporting event such as the Olympic Games is due to start. HDTV is particularly suited to sporting events - the movement of an athlete or a ball is crisp and precise. There is no ’shadow’ behind the athlete during fast movement.
For those people who still have an Analog TV then now may be the right time to move to a better TV system. They can either change to a SD television, or else the improved HDTV system.
The technical terms used explained:
‘Digital TV’ is the term used to describe SDTV
‘HDTV’ is the latest form of ‘Digital TV’ and is simply called ‘HDTV’
‘Digital TV’ does NOT refer to HDTV.
HDTV is the latest and best in modern TV technology
High definition TV was released in the late 90s to much acclaim from the TV experts because of the crisp, crystal-clear picture and the surround sound presentation. The quality of HDTV cannot be matched by standard definition TV, a point understood by someone seeing HDTV for the first time. Once the superiority of HDTV has been acknowledged, a viewer have difficulty in accepting the inferior SDTV format.
The factor that determines the quality of a TV picture is the number of vertical lines on the screen. The SDTV system is based on 480 to 576 lines. The more acceptable HDTV figure is about 1080 lines, with the minimum being set at 720 lines. At 1080 lines, the narrower lines gives a picture resolution of between 2 and 5 times better than SDTV, a difference that would persuade many to adopt HDTV.
However to receive high definition reception other factors need to be taken into account in addition to the type of television:
1) A suitable tuner will be needed. This could be incorporated in the TV, or else a set-top box unit may be necessary.
2) An appropriate satellite dish will be needed if the viewer subscribes to a satellite TV provider.
3) The viewer will need to be signed up to receive HD programs from the TV program provider.
4) The whole system will need to be configured correctly.
The increasing public interest and demand for HDTV is influencing the TV providers, both cable and satellite, to provide an increasing number of HD programming options for their subscribers. For example one of the two major satellite TV providers, Dish Network, at present provides over 80 channels in HD format, with many planned for the future.
The future of television is the HDTV format. This and the wide-screen concept give the viewing public want they’ve wanted for many years - a system that gives them as perfect a picture as possible, together with the very best audio presentation.
The author writes on satellite TV issues focusing on the programming deals offered by the dish TV companies. He also has an interest in the superior technology of HDTV as recently introduced by the Dish Network satellite TV provider.
Ylaine
Comments Off
Apr
19
Filed Under (HDTV) by Bill
Koz Huseyin asked:
The PC has come a long way since the days of space invader type games. The PC is a multi purpose machine that can be used for numerous functions. The television has also evolved much, and now we have HDTV, the cutting edge. So, when you take your PC today and add HD TV you have a future machine!
The computer is versatile, with the aid of being modular, meaning that you can upgrade individual parts, you can truly customize a PC to be how you want it to be. But, why would you want to add a HD TV tuner card into your PC to make it HDTV compatible?
A HDTV tuner card has many benefits. Your monitor has high resolution which makes use out of adding HDTV to your PC with a HDTV tuner card. There are other practical benefits also. The PC has become more of an entertainment machine for many people. Most people listen to music on there PC’s, also many have the PC connected to the stereo system, which when you add a good monitor and HD-TV capability via a HDTV tuner card, you get a powerful entertainment system.
You may have a TV tuner card on your PC already, and are wondering why you should buy a HD-TV tuner card? High-definition television or HD TV is a technology that takes television viewing to a higher level. The actual programming viewed utilizing the high definition technology provides a very sharp image and allows the viewer to view programming that excels far beyond programs enjoyed on a traditional television set.
A HDTV tuner card will provide you with a crystal-clear picture that this amazing technology is famous for. If you have a LCD display, then adding a HDTV tuner card will give you the benefit of that crystal clear picture. Movies are being recorded with high definition in mind, so the movies look much better then existing film.
A HDTV tuner card is also a great consideration due to costs. A HD television set may be cost prohibitive, whereas the existing investment in your PC and LCD display can be utilized with a HD-TV tuner card. This appears to be the major benefit of choosing to get a HDTV tuner card for your PC.
* How To Get HDTV On Your PC
If you have ever installed any hardware into your PC, such as RAM or CPU, then upgrading to HDTV can be a very easy task. HDTV tuner cards come in a version called PCI, which fits into your existing space PCI slots inside your PC.
If your PC is a newer PC, then you most likely can add a HDTV tuner card to your PC. Though you will need to check the specs necessary for the HDTV tuner card to work on your PC and make sure they meet the minimum requirements.
If adding the PCI HDTV tuner card into your PC to be something you don’t won’t to delve into, then a local PC repair/maintenance shop can add the card for you, and also make sure that the card will work with your PC. You may also be able to find a USB version which makes plugging in the HDTV tuner card much easier.
Hally
The PC has come a long way since the days of space invader type games. The PC is a multi purpose machine that can be used for numerous functions. The television has also evolved much, and now we have HDTV, the cutting edge. So, when you take your PC today and add HD TV you have a future machine!
The computer is versatile, with the aid of being modular, meaning that you can upgrade individual parts, you can truly customize a PC to be how you want it to be. But, why would you want to add a HD TV tuner card into your PC to make it HDTV compatible?
A HDTV tuner card has many benefits. Your monitor has high resolution which makes use out of adding HDTV to your PC with a HDTV tuner card. There are other practical benefits also. The PC has become more of an entertainment machine for many people. Most people listen to music on there PC’s, also many have the PC connected to the stereo system, which when you add a good monitor and HD-TV capability via a HDTV tuner card, you get a powerful entertainment system.
You may have a TV tuner card on your PC already, and are wondering why you should buy a HD-TV tuner card? High-definition television or HD TV is a technology that takes television viewing to a higher level. The actual programming viewed utilizing the high definition technology provides a very sharp image and allows the viewer to view programming that excels far beyond programs enjoyed on a traditional television set.
A HDTV tuner card will provide you with a crystal-clear picture that this amazing technology is famous for. If you have a LCD display, then adding a HDTV tuner card will give you the benefit of that crystal clear picture. Movies are being recorded with high definition in mind, so the movies look much better then existing film.
A HDTV tuner card is also a great consideration due to costs. A HD television set may be cost prohibitive, whereas the existing investment in your PC and LCD display can be utilized with a HD-TV tuner card. This appears to be the major benefit of choosing to get a HDTV tuner card for your PC.
* How To Get HDTV On Your PC
If you have ever installed any hardware into your PC, such as RAM or CPU, then upgrading to HDTV can be a very easy task. HDTV tuner cards come in a version called PCI, which fits into your existing space PCI slots inside your PC.
If your PC is a newer PC, then you most likely can add a HDTV tuner card to your PC. Though you will need to check the specs necessary for the HDTV tuner card to work on your PC and make sure they meet the minimum requirements.
If adding the PCI HDTV tuner card into your PC to be something you don’t won’t to delve into, then a local PC repair/maintenance shop can add the card for you, and also make sure that the card will work with your PC. You may also be able to find a USB version which makes plugging in the HDTV tuner card much easier.
Hally
Comments Off
Apr
12
Filed Under (HDTV) by Bill
Michael Hehn asked:
As everyone knows for a fact, today HDTV or high definition television has taken over from DTV or digital television and is the latest in television technology thus requiring programs to be in widescreen format so that you can view the high resolution pictures as well as listen to surround sound and thus get superior ambience and a more theater-like experience right there in your home, which is what HDTV is all about. So, if you have a HDTV at home and need to receive as well as output HDTV signals, you just cannot do so without first having a HDTV tuner.
Receives Signals As ATSC And Converts To HDTV Signals
A HDTV tuner is also referred to as a receiver, decoder and even a set-top box, and it is usual for the HDTV tuner to receive signals in ATSC format which are decoded in HDTV signals so that they are fit to be displayed on a HDTV screen, and it also means that the HDTV tuner will provide your HDTV with aspect ratio of 16:9 as well as picture quality in the range between 720p to 1080i.
In addition, it is also normal that the HDTV tuner is able to receive all HDTV signals which include cable and satellite as well as over-the-air (OTA) broadcasts, and it must also be suitable for receiving any kind of digital VHS recordings. In most instances, the HDTV tuner is used as an external box or it can even is integrated with the HDTV itself and even with a HDTV receiver, and it is generally connected between the television and the antenna. However, should you buy a HDTV that already has a HDTV tuner, then there is no need to use an external HDTV tuner for receiving regular cable channels.
The HDTV tuner is also very handy should you need to view HDTV programs as it can perform the necessary conversion for use even when using an analog television as well as with digital televisions. These tuners are readily available though they come in different prices while an average one would cost you between hundred and four hundred dollars, though the price really will vary from one maker to the other. And, some of the leading makers of such tuners include Sharp and Panasonic, Mitsubishi and Thomson as well as Samsung, and, in addition, it is also possible for you to get your HDTV tuner from any local dealer as too from online stores.
Finally, you can expect different HDTV tuners to come with various features meant to suit different user needs including having program guide displays for each and every channel, self-guided setup as well as interactive program guides. Some of these tuners even come with a hard drive which can record standard TV programs both digital as well as HDTV, and the many features available in these tuners make it possible for you to enjoy a true home theater experience.
Daisie
As everyone knows for a fact, today HDTV or high definition television has taken over from DTV or digital television and is the latest in television technology thus requiring programs to be in widescreen format so that you can view the high resolution pictures as well as listen to surround sound and thus get superior ambience and a more theater-like experience right there in your home, which is what HDTV is all about. So, if you have a HDTV at home and need to receive as well as output HDTV signals, you just cannot do so without first having a HDTV tuner.
Receives Signals As ATSC And Converts To HDTV Signals
A HDTV tuner is also referred to as a receiver, decoder and even a set-top box, and it is usual for the HDTV tuner to receive signals in ATSC format which are decoded in HDTV signals so that they are fit to be displayed on a HDTV screen, and it also means that the HDTV tuner will provide your HDTV with aspect ratio of 16:9 as well as picture quality in the range between 720p to 1080i.
In addition, it is also normal that the HDTV tuner is able to receive all HDTV signals which include cable and satellite as well as over-the-air (OTA) broadcasts, and it must also be suitable for receiving any kind of digital VHS recordings. In most instances, the HDTV tuner is used as an external box or it can even is integrated with the HDTV itself and even with a HDTV receiver, and it is generally connected between the television and the antenna. However, should you buy a HDTV that already has a HDTV tuner, then there is no need to use an external HDTV tuner for receiving regular cable channels.
The HDTV tuner is also very handy should you need to view HDTV programs as it can perform the necessary conversion for use even when using an analog television as well as with digital televisions. These tuners are readily available though they come in different prices while an average one would cost you between hundred and four hundred dollars, though the price really will vary from one maker to the other. And, some of the leading makers of such tuners include Sharp and Panasonic, Mitsubishi and Thomson as well as Samsung, and, in addition, it is also possible for you to get your HDTV tuner from any local dealer as too from online stores.
Finally, you can expect different HDTV tuners to come with various features meant to suit different user needs including having program guide displays for each and every channel, self-guided setup as well as interactive program guides. Some of these tuners even come with a hard drive which can record standard TV programs both digital as well as HDTV, and the many features available in these tuners make it possible for you to enjoy a true home theater experience.
Daisie
Comments Off
Apr
02
Filed Under (HDTV) by Bill
C R Ellsworth asked:
HDTV will be a greater leap in the quality of the home entertainment experience than even the change from black-and-white TV to color, or Hi-Fi to Stereo, or AM to FM. HDTV, in addition to picture and sound will also deliver data services, such as electronic program guides or information related to the programs you watch. Local broadcast stations broadcasting in HD will be able to broadcast one extra high quality picture, or several separate camera angles equal to today’s pictures. HDTV will offer the opportunity to develop sophisticated services that meet consumer demand for flexibility and convenience.
HD will be presented in a 16:9 format and will allow resolutions up to 1940×1080 plus provide you with twice the amount of picture information both vertically and horizontally. It will not work on regular analog televisions since these sets don’t support the interfaces required for HDTV signals.
After February 17th of 2009 local analog TV channels will stop transmitting, everything else connected to your analog TV will continue to work.
DVD
By the time HDTV is wide spread, high-definition movies will be on the shelves, playable on Blu-ray, HD DVD or both, depending on which way the format wars go. When you switch over to HD, you may need to connect your HD set-top box, Blu-ray or HD DVD player to your TV using a HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) cable. Both Blu-ray and HD DVD are compatible with existing standard DVD, so you can play your current discs on a next-gen player, but the two competing formats are not compatible with each other. It’s a bit of a laugh if you are old enough to remember the ‘Beta-Max VHS Wars’, Beta you say?
Technology
What problems are facing the early adopters of this new technology and what caveats remain for it to become mainstream? The people buying HDTV units today are known as “early adopters”. They usually buy whatever is the ‘Latest & Greatest’ especially in the Hi-Tech field. Other consumers will have to be sold on the technology. A huge number of older television sets will instantly become obsolete and when their owners make plans to replace them, newer technology like HDTV as it exists at the time of the mass conversion will be very attractive. You can bet that there will be a market for ‘conversion hardware’ to enable the use of ‘analog’ sets with the new HD Broadcast Technology. If you now record off-air local TV shows on your VCR you will not be able to continue doing that after February 17th of 2009 without an upgrade. To continue recording local TV programs you will either have to connect a Digital to Analog TV Converter box to your VCR or purchase a different TV recording device that has a DTV tuner built in. You’ll need that to continue to record programs from local TV stations after February 17th of 2009. The advent of Tivo will eventually make the VCR question irrelevant.
While the prices of HDTV sets are dropping, the High Definition equivalents of many of the complimentary technologies that we’ve come to expect will remain relatively expensive, such as home recording and storage media. The HD DVD and Blu-ray war is another slow down in bringing High Definition technology into the mainstream. In reality the main distinctions between competing HD formats will be virtually unnoticeable unless you are viewing on a screen 55″+ in size.
Antenna
In cities across the nation stations have already begun broadcasting an HDTV signal, receivable with an antenna. In order to receive over-the-air digital and HD signals, you need a tuner and a digital antenna. In order to watch local network affiliates, some satellite customers may have to switch from their dish to an antenna. To receive HDTV via antenna you’ll need: An HDTV, HDTV tuner, HDTV antenna. Depending on your location you may need an antenna rotor to point the antenna to multiple broadcast towers.
A major hurdle to overcome with over-the-air HD broadcasts via Antenna is, the technology has to overcome the ‘consumers’ misperceptions and long held myths, combined with lack of knowledge about the capabilities of antennas. The solution to the Antenna/Satellite conversion question may have a more long term effect on the consumer response than the seemingly obvious debate in other hardware.
Note: HDTV tuners that come built-into many HDTVs are over-the-air tuners for use with an antenna and cannot be used as your cable HD tuner.
Local Response
It’s always a good idea to check with your local TV dealer regarding what HDTV services are available in your area before buying. It would even be a good idea to call your local TV stations and ask for the Chief Engineer to find out the stations’ particulars.
The cable industry believes that HDTV will drive DTV sales up and bring prices down to a where more consumers can buy.
I’m looking at a DLP Projector System now; capable of displaying HD and allowing connections for an HDTV Tuner. Perhaps HDTV will be my next acquisition.
Guillemette
HDTV will be a greater leap in the quality of the home entertainment experience than even the change from black-and-white TV to color, or Hi-Fi to Stereo, or AM to FM. HDTV, in addition to picture and sound will also deliver data services, such as electronic program guides or information related to the programs you watch. Local broadcast stations broadcasting in HD will be able to broadcast one extra high quality picture, or several separate camera angles equal to today’s pictures. HDTV will offer the opportunity to develop sophisticated services that meet consumer demand for flexibility and convenience.
HD will be presented in a 16:9 format and will allow resolutions up to 1940×1080 plus provide you with twice the amount of picture information both vertically and horizontally. It will not work on regular analog televisions since these sets don’t support the interfaces required for HDTV signals.
After February 17th of 2009 local analog TV channels will stop transmitting, everything else connected to your analog TV will continue to work.
DVD
By the time HDTV is wide spread, high-definition movies will be on the shelves, playable on Blu-ray, HD DVD or both, depending on which way the format wars go. When you switch over to HD, you may need to connect your HD set-top box, Blu-ray or HD DVD player to your TV using a HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) cable. Both Blu-ray and HD DVD are compatible with existing standard DVD, so you can play your current discs on a next-gen player, but the two competing formats are not compatible with each other. It’s a bit of a laugh if you are old enough to remember the ‘Beta-Max VHS Wars’, Beta you say?
Technology
What problems are facing the early adopters of this new technology and what caveats remain for it to become mainstream? The people buying HDTV units today are known as “early adopters”. They usually buy whatever is the ‘Latest & Greatest’ especially in the Hi-Tech field. Other consumers will have to be sold on the technology. A huge number of older television sets will instantly become obsolete and when their owners make plans to replace them, newer technology like HDTV as it exists at the time of the mass conversion will be very attractive. You can bet that there will be a market for ‘conversion hardware’ to enable the use of ‘analog’ sets with the new HD Broadcast Technology. If you now record off-air local TV shows on your VCR you will not be able to continue doing that after February 17th of 2009 without an upgrade. To continue recording local TV programs you will either have to connect a Digital to Analog TV Converter box to your VCR or purchase a different TV recording device that has a DTV tuner built in. You’ll need that to continue to record programs from local TV stations after February 17th of 2009. The advent of Tivo will eventually make the VCR question irrelevant.
While the prices of HDTV sets are dropping, the High Definition equivalents of many of the complimentary technologies that we’ve come to expect will remain relatively expensive, such as home recording and storage media. The HD DVD and Blu-ray war is another slow down in bringing High Definition technology into the mainstream. In reality the main distinctions between competing HD formats will be virtually unnoticeable unless you are viewing on a screen 55″+ in size.
Antenna
In cities across the nation stations have already begun broadcasting an HDTV signal, receivable with an antenna. In order to receive over-the-air digital and HD signals, you need a tuner and a digital antenna. In order to watch local network affiliates, some satellite customers may have to switch from their dish to an antenna. To receive HDTV via antenna you’ll need: An HDTV, HDTV tuner, HDTV antenna. Depending on your location you may need an antenna rotor to point the antenna to multiple broadcast towers.
A major hurdle to overcome with over-the-air HD broadcasts via Antenna is, the technology has to overcome the ‘consumers’ misperceptions and long held myths, combined with lack of knowledge about the capabilities of antennas. The solution to the Antenna/Satellite conversion question may have a more long term effect on the consumer response than the seemingly obvious debate in other hardware.
Note: HDTV tuners that come built-into many HDTVs are over-the-air tuners for use with an antenna and cannot be used as your cable HD tuner.
Local Response
It’s always a good idea to check with your local TV dealer regarding what HDTV services are available in your area before buying. It would even be a good idea to call your local TV stations and ask for the Chief Engineer to find out the stations’ particulars.
The cable industry believes that HDTV will drive DTV sales up and bring prices down to a where more consumers can buy.
I’m looking at a DLP Projector System now; capable of displaying HD and allowing connections for an HDTV Tuner. Perhaps HDTV will be my next acquisition.
Guillemette
Comments Off
