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Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Digital Television?
Digital television (DTV) is a huge leap forward in television technology compared to
analog television that has been widely available since the 1940s. DTV is delivered and
displayed using digital encoding, similar to the way a PC operates. By using digital
technology, there is no variation in picture and sound quality from the origination point
until it is displayed on your television. You always receive a high-quality picture without
the wavy lines or static you might sometimes get from a weak analog signal. Another
feature of digital television is digital surround sound using Dolby Digital technology, which
is the same technology used to produce the sound you hear in movie theaters.
What Is Standard-Definition Television?
Standard-definition television (SDTV) is basic digital television programming delivered by
your service provider. Typically, the SDTV screen is the same, nearly square shape as an
analog television screen. Digital images on an SDTV set are crisp and clear—noticeably better
than on a standard analog television set using an antenna to receive over-the-air signals.
What Is High-Definition Television?
High-definition television (HDTV) is a completely new way to send and receive television
broadcast signals. HDTV images are made up of pixels that are much smaller and closer
together than those used in standard analog television, and there are millions of them. Thus,
HDTV can display five to six times the detail of analog television to deliver picture quality that is
much more realistic, dimensional, and precise. SDTV programs can be viewed on an HDTV.
Are Local TV Stations or Other Programmers Broadcasting in HDTV?
Many local TV stations and programmers are transmitting digital signals. However,
transmitting a digital signal does not mean transmitting an HDTV signal. Some stations
are using the new bandwidth to broadcast several standard-definition channels. Most
stations and programmers, once they begin broadcasting in digital, are offering HD
content from their parent network (for example, CBS, ABC, NBC, Fox, and PBS). Contact
your service provider for more information.
Why Aren't All the Shows I Watch in High-Definition?
A high-definition program must originate in HD format and be broadcast in HD format.
Having an HDTV system does not mean that everything you watch will be viewed in high-
definition. Getting the signal from a digital source also does not mean it is high-definition.
Why Are Some HDTVs 4:3 Aspect Ratio and Others 16:9?
The aspect ratios differ because television manufacturers build both standard-screen
and wide-screen HDTVs to appeal to consumer viewing preferences. The two aspect
ratios are as follows:
• On standard-screen (4:3) HDTVs, the programming is displayed in letterbox format in
the middle of the screen. There are bars surrounding the picture.
• On wide-screen (16:9) HDTVs, the programming is displayed on the full screen.
What Is HDMI and Does it Support Dolby Digital 5.1 Audio?
The High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is an uncompressed, all-digital audio/video
interface. The Dolby Digital audio format that provides up to 5.1 separate channels of surround
sound, and is the standard used for DVD-Video. HDMI supports standard, enhanced, or high-
definition video, plus multi-channel digital audio, such as Dolby Digital audio, on a single cable.
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