On February 17, 2009, Americans will enter the age of digital television — ready or not.
On that date, all full-power broadcast television stations will begin broadcasting only in digital, improving sound and picture quality as well as allowing for stations to offer multiple programming choices, called multicasting.
The government-mandated change will free up needed frequencies for public safety and new wireless communication offerings.
What’s the difference between analog and digital?
Since television was invented, stations have broadcast analog signals, or continuously varying radio waves. The familiar “snow” or ghosting of images is one problem with this way of sending broadcast signals. Another issue is the limited bandwidth for an ever increasing number of television channels.
After the transition, broadcasts will be sent only via digital signals, which use a series of zeroes and ones to transmit data just as a computer does. The result is clearer, more reliable picture and sound as well as the opportunity for more programming options and interactive features.
Because of how a digital signal transmits information, it has more room for additional data. So now television stations that once broadcast on one channel, such as channel 3, can now broadcast on several segments of that channel, for example: 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, 3-4. Each channel could offer specialized programming for a particular audience.
HDTV is the highest level of digital television quality, but it is not the only one. SDTV, or standard definition television format, is the quality at which basic digital broadcasts will be provided. SDTV offers an enhancement over traditional analog broadcasts, but it is not as sharp as HDTV.
What do I need to do to be ready?
If you have an analog input television and currently receive your television service through cable or satellite, you will continue to receive your current stations without needing to purchase additional equipment. However, to receive the full, original quality digital signal, you may need to upgrade your set or get special equipment from your service provider. Simply check with your cable or satellite company for more details.
Note that if your service goes out due to weather or other circumstances, you will no longer be able to receive traditional television channels without a digital tuner or digital-to-analog converter box.
If you have an analog input television and receive your signal via an outside antenna or “rabbit ears,” then you will need to purchase a digital-to-analog converter box to be able to continue watch television. Your set will continue to work as before with gaming consoles, DVD players, VCRs and other similar systems.
The new converter boxes are expected to be available in early 2008 and run between $50 and $70. From January 1, 2008 through March 31, 2009, all U.S. households are eligible for a government coupon program to offset $40 of the cost for up to two boxes per household. A list of eligible boxes is available from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, which manages the program.
Aside from buying a converter box or signing up for a cable or satellite service, you could also choose to buy a new digital-input ready television. After May 2007, all new televisions must be ready for receiving digital signals or be clearly marked that additional equipment will be needed.
These next generation television sets are the best way to experience all that digital television has to offer.
By: Digital Landing
Posts Tagged ‘Television Format’
Direct TV Provides Yuo With Some Pretty Impressive Technology
December 22nd, 2009Direct TV is a satellite television provider that’s perhaps best known for providing over fourteen million people with access to 850 channels of quality video and audio programming, but none of that would be possible without some pretty impressive technology. For instance, all of Direct TV’s programming- all 850 channels worth- is converted into digital format when it first comes into the hands of the company. Once in digital format, it’s encrypted so that if it’s intercepted by anyone who isn’t a Direct TV subscriber, he or she can’t watch it. Then the programming goes through a data compression process so that the hardware can handle the massive amount of information that makes up eight hundred a fifty channels. Once converted, encrypted, and compressed; the programming is beamed up to satellites which occupy geosynchronous orbits above the equator. The satellites then transmit Direct TV’s programming back down to the Earth’s surface spreading it all over the continent of North America where individual satellite dishes can then pick it up and send it to special receiver equipment which will then decompress it and decrypt it so that it can be watched on a television set. This stage of the process is where the digital television format really comes in handy. Because the programming travels thousands of miles on its way to your home, it has a lot of opportunity to pick up interference, but the fact that the signal is digital means that it’s very easy for the receiver to clean out the interference. The result is an incredibly clear picture and great sound quality that you can’t get from the older analog signal even when it only has to travel across town!
As clear as a digital television signal is, Direct TV can improve on it with its high definition television programming. High definition television the next generation television format that features the same wide screen that you’d find in a movie theater along with a high resolution picture that offers even more detail than a picture produced by the digital television format. In addition to a special HDTV set, you also need high definition programming in order to fully enjoy the HDTV experience. Fortunately Direct TV offers twenty great High definition channels that include the sports and movies that lend themselves so well to the high definition format, but also a lot of national network programming in High Def, special events, and even science programming. Direct TV is a great way to take advantage of this great new television format.
Another great extra technology that Direct TV can provide you with is digital video recording – or DVR. A Direct TV Digital Video Recorder lets you record all of the television shows and movies that you want to see, but are forced to miss because of other obligations. All of the recordings are stored on a hard disk, and since the hard disc can hold up to seventy hours of video, you won’t have to worry about running out of room just because you can’t get around to watching the recordings for a few days. A DVR is also much easier to program than a VCR, which really cuts down on the headaches associated with time shifting your television watching. These are just a few of the ways that Direct TV makes space age technology work for you.
