I wrote this article for the original, for issuing HDTVetc August 2003 and subsequently published in the Journal of HDTV in 2006. Buyers still go through the same chain of stores now the national struggle. I updated the article to include current HD equipment and technology. Tutorial component and analysis is still valid today, and is designed to assist consumers in making purchasing decisions right. Enjoy reading.
The following topics are discussed in this segment:
H / DTV and NTSC TV, What is it?
The first efforts of the transition to DTV
DTV HDTV quality or volume, or both?
Back to the legacy analog TV Broadcast Competition Digital
Satellite / cable, and DTV transition
Tuner Integration
Impact DVD to DTV
The race for knowledge
You will hear about HDTV and decided to start looking for one. A friend reminded him that the general knowledge about buying a normal TV from analog CRT is not enough time to choose a digital product now, so you can check what you read about the wide screen black bars, digital tuner and resolution, and things are clear expectations in the store.
You get a consumer electronics store in the country is usually most people will go, and suddenly see dozens of demos of HDTV sets staring back at you. A salesman comes to you, the human face is known, the seller will sell the new dishwasher two weeks ago, people selling HDTV in power. It began to feel worried, but hang in there.
It is clear that the store is not committed to the quality of the A / V retailers. Many buyers make their purchases based on advice from untrained personnel information consumer electronics chain a national daily.
In the past, a regular store can have only one HD HD TV really shows, the only one with a HD tuner, the other showing the same image from video sharing high-definition quality circles are not adequate.
Now maybe all the grocery stores all the HD, and watch the whole show the same picture but with a different color, contrast, image enhancement, black, white, etc., because no one cares that the right path. So I started wondering what HDTV is not always perfect like preaching, is HDTV?
Seller turns to you and, in the midst of your panic attacks from consumers, saying, "Trust me, buy this TV looks much better at home, after the HD tuner connected. "Would you buy a car without test driving?
Millions of people passing through the same experience, because HDTV was introduced in November 1998. Fortunately, some improvements have gradually seen in stores, especially A / V specialty retail stores, should have more time to help consumers understand the concepts behind each display technology, and not just a quick sell HDTV on the red label stock, as well as the chain more national consumer electronics.
Most consumers love red tag savings, and many leave the store satisfied with a product portfolio that does not understand. The possibility that many of these do not really want to understand, because HDTV technology was introduced at the level of complexity that refuses to try to get a TV.
To illustrate the complexity of a decision to buy an HDTV you might want to read HDTV Complex Enough?
The purpose of the article you read is to help you make you more confident to buy, but first let me cover the following main themes HDTV:
H / DTV and NTSC TV, What is it?
You may be aware of U.S. plans to replace our current analog interlaced TV (NTSC) dates from the 1940s through the digital system, digital television, February 17, 2009. Interesting idea began as an "analog" HDTV General Instrument proposed all digital system in 1990.
Digital TV Standard consists of 18 digital formats, which are grouped into two levels of quality, approved by the ATSC (American Television Systems Committee) in 1995:
1) SD: Standard definition, 480i / p (i: interlaced, p: progressive) see the horizontal lines of vertical resolution (rows counted from top to bottom), each corresponding with a maximum resolution of 704 pixels horizontally Total (counting from left to right ), and has an aspect ratio (relation to unit width to height) 4x3 (like regular TV), or 16x9 widescreen.
2) HD: High definition, 720p and 1080i / p to see the horizontal lines of vertical resolution (rows counted from top to bottom), each row in the order in 1280 (to 720p) or 1920 (for 1080i / p) of the total pixels resolution horizontal (counting from left to right), and only in proportion widescreen 16x9 aspect.
Note that, because it is not complicated enough, the horizontal line (row) is indicated as a solution "vertical" (480, 720, 1080), and a vertical column of pixels aligned in a horizontal line is expressed as "horizontal" resolution (704, 1280, 1920) .
DTV is 15 years in the making before it aired in November 1998. HDTV is a component of the quality of digital television, but this application is not mandatory, is elementary. I use the term only in addressing the digital television system of digital television in general.
Subsequently in 2000, the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), presumably to help consumers confused, creating another level of resolution between: ED (enhanced definition).
Promoted to the SD 480p ED level, leaving only the 480i standard SD format. It also does not give the right to label 810i HDTV TV to display only lines of vertical resolution of the displayed image, rather than 1080i.
One of them characterizes the level of involvement of the CEA to help consumers help manufacturers to get rid of assemblies of justice. But back to the CRT based DTV adjust to market forces, it is still most DTV sets and displays the pixel resolution is clearly defined as the number of pixels in both directions.
Our current NTSC over the system (OTA) analog television is air interlaced 480i (525i 480i actually visible horizontal lines of vertical resolution). Regular channels of digital satellite and digital cable can be compared to digital SD DTV, but also sent dozens of HDTV channels.
To ease the transition, broadcasters will be given space for additional channels from the FCC for simultaneous analog and digital versions of their programs. This is a great investment for television stations to construct DTV factory with new cameras, production equipment, etc.
When DTV is fully implemented, broadcasters will return one of two channels, broadcasting analog transmissions cease, and the current analog TV, VCR, TiVo with an analog tuner will stop the "tuning" as (but still functions as a display device to receive signals from 480i Analog, VHS tapes, DVDs, etc.). This date was originally set for January 2007 but was extended on February 17, 2009. If done DTV, the FCC auction of radio spectrum.
Most OTA terrestrial TV stations broadcast digital TV in SD and HD widescreen, and consumers who buy an HDTV in the fast pace every year.
The first efforts of the transition to DTV
Just look back at the CEA in 2003 statistics, the first 5 years about 6 million digital television HDTV (of which only 300 000, including digital TV tuner) and 400,000 tuner set-top box (STB) were sold between 1999 and 2003. In 2007's, HDTV 8 times times, and nearly 50% of households have digital television system, according to CEA.
Back in 1998 / 9 is not uncommon for the first generation of monitors for high-definition television for $ 10,000, and the tuner HD receivers cost $ 700 to $ 3,000. It is expensive for the former.
In late 2007, and television variety of technologies are available for every viewing environment. DTV sets are much better quality, and sell for a fraction of the price sold in 1998.
DTV HDTV quality or volume, or both?
We all love the incredible quality of high definition video, however, because the HD DTV is not required in the plan, which allows broadcasters to use the 6 MHz allocated slots (for HD channels), multicast instead of multiple sub-channels than SD quality, because it actually happened at many stations across the United States.
By sharing the same total bandwidth of 6MHz, SD sub-channels to steal about 2-3 Mbps each required bandwidth of an HD channel should deliver 19.4 Mbps (if the station is also multicast HD sub-channels). Compression strength parallel transmission 19.4 Mbps HD signal to a level slightly lower to make room for the SD sub-channel, compromising HD quality.
In many cases, more than one SD sub-channel multicasting with HD sub-channel. When reducing the bit rate compressed HD signal beyond acceptable limits, providing a lower image quality with visible artifacts, especially in fast moving images in sports is more clear and unacceptable, wide screen (more on that later).
It may also be possible that the TV channels you want to share some of the data bandwidth for the disbursement of interactive services, or for mobile digital TV for mobile handheld devices (it has no analog to portable devices as well). For more information, see the article I wrote a series of "mobile DTV," in which to study the potential impact of mobile applications in the quality of HD channels as bandwidth theft.
We all hope to govern the HD and HD quality will prevail over the volume of digital business models, and should be encouraged to DTV station to do so, most consumers buy an HDTV instead of a conventional television.
Back to the legacy analog TV Broadcast Competition Digital
When the broadcast digital television is fully implemented February 17, 2009, there will be compatibility with existing analog equipment, but a trap for you to watch digital TV channels on their analogue terrestrial digital TV at this time would require a digital STB tuner connected to the air. Current analog TV will display 480i interlaced analog versions of digital images.
No need to take risks to replace analog TV is in good working condition, if you want to keep watching TV the same quality, but you want to buy a digital tuner STB DTV transmissions.
This also applies to your analog VCR, DVD recorder, TiVo, etc., if you want the independence of the diffusion of adjustment. Several years ago, the digital STB TV tuner is quite expensive, $ 400 - $ 1000 price range, consider buying a digital tuner for $ 400 to $ 30 an analog VCR, but gradually lower the price.
The U.S. government has approved the subsidy coupon program to help people to buy a digital TV tuner to facilitate the transition from analog to digital for existing analog televisions can continue to be used for digital broadcasting DTV.
To this end, Congress approved funding of $ 1.5 billion, with initial contribution of $ 990 million to subsidize up to two $ 40 coupons per household. Coupons became available in January 2008 and can be requested by consumers until March 2009, for use in the purchase of two digital TV tuners.
Both coupons can not be used together to buy just one digital TV tuner, whether they are used to buy another tuner OTA / DVR STB, satellite STB DTV tuner in it, or cable STB.
The tuners offered by this program will cost $ 50 - $ 70 per set, consumers must pay the difference after applying the $ 40 coupon. Under the plan, the tuner will be available mid-February 2008 by the national chains Best Buy, Circuit City, etc.
Although subsidies are designed to tune the tuner digital SD and HD channels, which can emit a signal that focus on other 480i resolution analog to analog TV. In other words, subsidized tuner is not usually done as an HD tuner that approval of the resolution HDTV 480p, 720p or 1080i HD to watch. This only serves to downconvert because their purpose is compatible with analogue TV, but their prices are lower than the standard resolution of HDTV ATSC tuner with variable output and digital output.
Satellite / cable, and DTV transition
If you subscribe to a satellite with a satellite decoder that you need for SD / HD digital services. In addition, most banks also have satellite terrestrial ATSC tuner, if you want to get local channels for free with a VHF / UHF. However, DirecTV launched a new model in late 2007 without antenna input, local channels is seen from the satellite signal, the service for most major cities.
If you subscribe to cable when the cable company decides to turn off power to the house of analog and digital power supply only, you need a cable to the analog signal to digital STB see each analog TV channels in your home like the focus of the DTV Coupon Program broadcast on, but you want to rent or to buy the cable STB, without coupons.
Cable companies are licensed by the FCC in late 2007 to continue the electrical analog service for 5 years (until 2012) if they wish, but is not obligated to do so. Digital Cable STB Terrestrial digital TV tuner is not in them so you can not use your tuner is connected to a UHF / VHF antenna to receive local channels for free.
Cable companies will face at least two alternatives for the transfer from analogue to digital between 2007 and 2012:
a) If your customer base is mostly digital, cable companies may have an incentive to make a large upfront investment to get enough of digital STB to convert all remaining analog subscribers to digital services as soon as possible level, to rent a digital converter box for each analog TV. To provide the bandwidth occupied by broadcast channels to analog cable feed, can be used for additional digital channels and receive a higher income if premiums, VOD, PPV, etc. paid services.
b) If the base of customers mainly analog, cable companies might want to keep the current mix of analog and digital decoders, analog and maintain the required level until 2012. Since the bandwidth of the cable from analog broadcast channel allocation should continue in the alternative, the company will have to delay the growth potential of digital channels and services, but not a requirement for substantial investment in the front face of the digital STB, it is not forced conversion. This option seems economical for both companies and customers as customers are not forced to rent a digital converter box for analog TV today can each be attached to the wall of the coaxial cable without a cable box, since many are not the main TV in most households.
While the initial investment of a large number of digital set-tops can be expensive for a cable company, there may be potential revenue offset a little extra to receive digital services, such as paying for VOD, PPV or premium channels. In addition, the number of digital decoder required for full digital conversion of the power cord can be reduced even more when considering the growing base of integrated CableCard HDTV tuner is expected to increase in 2008 and 2009.
However, as a CableCard tuner built into an HDTV set in one direction, can still be a basic cable customers still needed a two-way capacity of HD-STB cable VOD, PPV, and cable programming guide supplied. Each cable company has to balance these factors through 2012.
Tuner Integration
Today, everyone who wants to save more money every year. This is very impressive if you can make more money and still see high-definition satellite television on your PC. You can accomplish if you see the cheapest deal for your TV entertainment at home.
You can do research on the Internet for the cheapest deal and you can see the HD satellite TV is the ideal choice. You can offer a little money per month package includes free installation and other local channels. This is very cheap if you want to see their local channels.
If you use the power of HD satellite TV, you will be able to get crystal-clear digital channels. If you decide to pack a pack of free high speed internet via satellite, satellite providers offer an additional $ 10 off per month for one full year of service.
Many people go online every day and use software that allows them to view their high-definition satellite television, even if they are at home. Even watching a computer screen can be uncomfortable, because computer monitors are relatively small compared to the TV at home, not a serious problem and people can be ignored.
HD satellite TV, you can easily choose the package that allows you to pay more than the schedule that you want. It is better for you because if you use cable, you have to pay for tons of programming, only a vision, and still not get the program you want. You can choose the package that lets you see what you want from the beginning.
To have HD satellite TV, you have to do is get the software, you do not need extra gadgets. This software offers more features, where access to over 3,000 channels including local channels and 1,500 radio stations. And when you have an Internet connection, you will not lose any of your favorite television shows. As a result, the price is not all you have to pay attention, you only pay the price and can make the most of it. It's a sure thing.
The old adage that says that TV is bad for your health has recently been challenged by environmental psychologists, who conducted a study to explore the mind the benefits of HDTV.
Experiments conducted by Peter Kahn and his colleagues at the University of Washington is very concerned about the exhibit, now take viewers closer than ever before in the natural world with the arrival of high definition TV. The researchers attempted to examine whether high-definition television broadcast environment, plasma replacement windows - will have beneficial effects on office workers.
After 16 weeks, the experiment is considered successful because the workers are exposed to see the green and the mountains from time to time be found to think more clearly, enjoy a greater sense of well-being, and feel close ties with the outside world that those who do not enjoy the view - whether the world is the representation of television.
While television can not provide a strong connection as a hands on experience of nature in the first place, an important result to show how the brain responded positively to a well defined natural images, which can be useful to live in an urban environment that is separate from the natural world.
An earlier study by Marc Berman of the University of Michigan shows the comparative effects on the welfare of natural stimuli, such as trees, plants and fresh air, it was found that the impact of a more relaxed and positive that the most spectacular of urban environmental stimuli, where workers can feel more difficult to relax and unwind at the end of a long day.
In 2002, the FCC issued a "mandatory" plan to gradually integrate a digital tuner broadcast digital television monitors and other fastening devices such as HD DVR. The plan was implemented in 2007 for all sets larger than 13 "and all the digital TV on sale mandate to include a digital terrestrial tuner (except for some models of industry / professional). In most cases also includes a tuner for unscrambled cable premium channels are clear, and even includes a CableCard tuner for channels and premium services.
As mentioned above, unidirectional CableCard tuner only, and lack features two-way video-on-Demand, Pay Per View Simbu and guidance provided by the cable programming company, which is a separate set-top boxes from cable companies still have an integrated television designed to be bi-directional CableCard tuner in their joints.
Industry analyst commentary for the size of the economy this year will lower the price of digital tuners in today's very low price NTSC analog TV tuner, but the fact that the STB for ATSC terrestrial or cable, satellite, DVR, etc. (not a government coupon down-converted-STB) is still has a very high price, considering that the HDTV is good, a large drop below $ 5,000 - $ 10,000 98/99 at a price below $ 1000.
More on this topic is discussed below.
Impact DVD to DTV
Most of the 6 million people who buy HDTV in the first 5 years after transplantation (98-03) did not see the HD, but to enjoy DVD playback in widescreen 480p. Even now, in 2008, after HD DVD was introduced in early 2006, the contents of a normal DVD is still a favorite of digital television, precisely because it is so progressive screen resolution of 480p or 720p or 1080i additional / p native resolution digital television (either DVD or TV). The same DVD played on an analog TV will only display the image as a 480i interlaced scanning.
In addition, the HDTV has the ability to display movies in widescreen anamorphic all original vertical resolution is stored on disk, while the 4x3 analog televisions will display the same DVD letterboxing the image between the top of the greatest / bottom bars to maintain aspect ratio is wider than the movie , and a lower vertical resolution than the image itself.
