2009 marks a big year for television, particularly since many networks will be making the switch to digital broadcasting. Unfortunately, this means you’ll have to buy one of two things to keep on watching your favorite shows – an HD television or an HDTV converter.
Indeed, an HDTV converter will allow you to keep on watching TV like you used to by receiving the digital broadcast signals and converting them into the simpler analog signals – a language that your TV can understand. Keep in mind, though, that HDTV converters only convert broadcast signals and do NOT convert your analog TV into an HDTV. If you have been led to believe this, you have just fallen prey to a popular scam. In fact, it is NOT possible to convert an analog TV into an HDTV.
HDTV converters are not the same as HDTV tuners, although some high-end HDTV tuners also have converter capabilities. HDTV tuners receive HD signals in MPEG-2 encoded packets and decode them so that they can be displayed properly, in their optimal video quality, on the HDTV screen. They are used with HDTVs, although some already have their own built-in tuners, while HDTV converters are used with analog TVs.
Now that you know what HDTV converters do, you can go ahead and start looking for one to buy. You will be faced with several choices, and to find the best one, the most important factor to consider are the features. One such feature is the Analog (RF) Passthrough. This way, you can receive digital signals and still get analog signals from the networks that continue to use them. After all, while many networks will be making the switch to digital broadcasting, some will not, and unless you want to keep on plugging and unplugging your HD converter, getting one with an Analog Passthrough feature is recommended to get both types of broadcast signals.
Another important feature is the S-Video or Super Video Output, which is better than the standard composite video output. This allows you to have sharper and better images on your screen, although keep in mind that these are still nowhere near the excellent pictures displayed on an HDTV.
You can enjoy better audio quality if you choose the right HD converter, too. While your converter will need to convert the digital sounds to analog sounds, these will sound better if the converter has a Stereo Output, which also allows you to connect the converter to a surround sound system. Again, this is nowhere near the amazing audio quality of HDTVs but still better than what you would normally get.
It is also a good idea to get an HDTV converter with a Smart Antenna interface and an Electronic Program Guide (EPG) which allows you to easily flip through your programming options without paying a monthly fee or consulting a TV guide on paper. Different HDTV converters have different EPGs so you have to decide which type you want. Some allow you to make your own personalized program list while others provide comprehensive information about each show. Some HDTV converters have a universal remote control included, too, which can be a plus.
Aside from the features of HDTV converters, look at the brand and the cost, as well. If you have a coupon, your choices will be limited to average, relatively inexpensive ones but you can always save up for a high-end HDTV converter of your own. Afterwards, you might want to start saving up for your own HDTV, so you can truly reap the benefits of the best video and audio quality available today.
By: Chris Malone
Posts Tagged ‘Digital Broadcast’
HDTV Converter – A Beginner’s Guide
November 27th, 2009Eye-popping Properties of HDTV
November 13th, 2009HDTV or high definition television is the cutting-edge technology in home theater systems. Movie enthusiasts praise the high definition televisions for its clearer picture, better sound, progressive scanning and a wider viewing screen. As the trend towards replacing traditional analog televisions with the HDTV, consumers are starting to notice the eye-popping properties of HDTV.
High definition television is a revolutionary new technology that brings the viewer the clearest, brightest picture possible. The picture on the television can be considered life-like and real. The colors displayed using the digital technology and wide screen pictures, are bright and crisp. Surround sound further enhances the viewer’s experience.
The standard high definition television works by using a digital broadcast signal that is able to deliver a wide-screen, high-resolution picture with six channels of digital sound. The difference between HDTV and conventional television broadcast is that the high definition screen is much wider. This allows the broadcast or DVD movies to be viewed as they would in a movie theater. No parts of the screen either at the top or bottom are obstructed or cut off.
HDTV provides a wider screen than conventional TV sets. The wide-screen format allows a more intense viewing experience and is able to take full advantage of the field of vision. With the prices of HDTV going down, smaller sets are hitting the market making consumers more likely to purchase HDTV.
Another great benefit of using high definition television is that HDTV has over twice the sharpness and clarity of analog TV broadcasts. The color resolution for HDTV sets is far superior. For consumers who have already made the switch to HDTV, they feel this is the biggest advantage of high definition.
The lack of imperfections in the television screen often seen on traditional television is another reason why many prefer high definition to analog. With HDTV, problems such as snow caused from a weak signal, double images from ghosting or multi-path and picture sparkles from impulse noise are a thing of the past. These problems often seen on a conventional television broadcast just do not occur on HDTV.
Screen resolution from a high definition TV broadcast is almost five times as sharp as conventional broadcasts. High definition has double the lines of resolution compared to a traditional analog TV set. While a traditional analog set can only display 525 lines of resolution, HDTV technology takes this one step farther. HDTV broadcasts can display 1080 horizontal lines of resolution. This makes a huge difference in the picture clarity and quality. Often with big screen analog broadcasts, the picture is severely degraded because of the resolution lines.
When looking into purchasing a high definition television and broadcast provider, it is important to research the products. HDTV comes in several sizes and varieties. Consumers can purchase plasma, LCD (liquid crystal display), DLP (digital light processing) or LCOS (liquid crystal on silicon), which are all types of monitors. There are also projection displays to consider. They also come in LCD, DLP, and LCOS. Many viewers prefer the wall display monitor that either plasma or LCD offers. But, these are usually the most expensive of the high definition sets, especially the ones that are sized between 40 to 70 inches. Lower on the cost spectrum, but equally good, are the LCD displays that are sized at 42 inches and under.
Also, consider the provider. High definition broadcasting and digital should not be confused. They are not the same thing. There are many cable and satellite companies that simply convert standard analog broadcasts to digital to improve reception and to provide additional services. These are not true high definition broadcasts. Also, the picture quality and resolution will not be the same as that of HDTV. The picture format will not be wide-screen. Most consumers that subscribe to cable today are getting a digital broadcast.
To keep up with the popularity of high definition, most broadcast channels now broadcast in both analog and high definition at the same time. There are currently about forty networks in the United States that now broadcast in both. These include HBO, Showtime, ESPN and the Discovery Channel. The number of networks utilizing high definition broadcast is expected to grow as the price of HDTV goes down. More consumers are asking for high definition channels for their television viewing.
By: Gregg Hall
Defining TV Moments with High Definition Television (HDTV)
November 11th, 2009Television technology as we know it today has evolved tremendously from its inception in the late 1800s. Inspired by the success of the inventions of Bell and Edison in bridging wide distances, scientists became more and more intrigued by the possibility of ‘distance vision’ or the ability to simultaneously see someone in another part of the world moving and talking while one is in another location.
With their relentless efforts, it wasn’t long before American scientist Charles Jenkins and Scotsman John Baird were able to put on air in England and the U.S their first television programming of silhouettes and stick figures. This was followed by several major breakthroughs which eventually led to the development of television technology as we know it today.
• 1927 — Bell Laboratories transmitted the first live picture with voice broadcast.
• 1939 — RCA unveiled its first line of television receivers in its World’s Fair.
• 1943 — The National Television Standards Committee (NTSC) technological standards for black and white TV were established.
• 1957 — Robert Adler invented the first practical remote control called the ‘Space Commander’.
• 1960s — Color television programming was launched.
• 1962 — Television signal via satellite was launched for the first time
• 1970s to 1980s — The highly efficient fiber optic cable was introduced significantly improving delivery of television programming and paving the way for the entry of digital television technology.
• 1990 — Closed-caption television was created for the hearing-impaired.
• 1994 — High Definition Television (HDTV) standards were established along with a plan for the eventual phasing out of analog television and the conversion to the digital format
• 1998 — The first HDTV sets were sold in the market.
What is HDTV?
High Definition TV or HDTV is a digital broadcast standard that insures the viewer the ultimate in viewing quality and sound. It is one of 18 voluntary standards for digital television set by the Advanced Television Standards Committee (ATSC), which provides guidelines on the levels of quality to be followed for sound and video encoding and transmission. Of these 18 standards, which are all superiors to the analog technology commonly used in television today, HDTV holds the highest rank. The HDTV broadcast format, therefore, is the most superior. However, purchasing an HDTV-ready TV set does not mean that one automatically gets to enjoy the benefits of this technology. To be able to enjoy HDTV, one must also be viewing a program that has been digitally prepared. In some cases, one needs a set-top converter to convert the broadcasts from analog to digital.
Whatever it is, one cannot escape the fact that the digital age is upon us and, whether or not we are ready, it will just be a matter of time before the analog broadcasts we have grown so used to is phased out and digital TV becomes the standard.
For an avowed TV addict who knows nothing about digital TV, the prospect is daunting. The need to understand DTV and HDTV therefore is now.
By: minakshi
