Digital Programming FAQs

You ask is this all HDTV & Digital only a Pay (Paid subscription service) ?
For the most part it is not, HDTV & Digital programming can be received via your regular rabbit ears antenna for free (Over the air) from your Local TV Station IE.. ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, UPN, WB... ETC...
The other channels like premium channels like HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, Discovery... ETC..., are a paid subscription service, but they provide the HDTV feeds free of charge with the paid subscriptions to the specific movie package.

What is the difference between Digital Television (DTV) and High Definition Television (HDTV)?
DTV is the umbrella term used to describe the new digital television system adopted by the FCC in December 1996. DTV is a new way of transmitting television signals. It will eventually replace analog, the way television has been transmitted for the last 50 years. HDTV uses the entire "channel" and offers superior picture and CD quality sound. Finally, the signal is digitally transmitted, which eliminates all of the current imperfections we have lived with for the past thirty years, which include snow (weak signal), double images (ghosting or multi-path) and picture sparkles (impulse noise). As a result, the picture is perfect whether you are one mile or fifty-five miles from the transmitter.

Is all digital programming in high definition?
No. Digital programming can either be in standard definition (SD) or high definition (HD). Standard definition broadcasts can have a format of either 480i or 480p. High definition broadcasts can be either 720p or 1080i format.

How can I find out what programs are broadcast in High Definition?
To find out what programs are broadcast in High Definition, visit the web site TitanTV.com and sign up as a member (membership is free!). TitanTV takes a member's street address and predicts the digital over-the-air stations one can expect to receive. Programs available in high definition are marked with a red HD symbol in the program grid cell. In addition to providing listings and HD designation information for over-the-air channels, TitanTV also provides this information for digital cable and satellite lineups."

What are the advantages of High Definition Television?
The first noticeable difference of high definition TV from the current (analog) television system is that the screen is much wider. With analog TV, the width of the picture is divided by the height of the picture and will always produce a 4:3 ratio. High definition television, on the other hand, has a width to height ratio of 16:9, which closely approximates that of a movie screen. The second advantage is that HD has over six times the sharpness and clarity of analog TV. The HDTV picture contains 1080 vertical picture elements (pixels) by 1920 horizontal pixels for a total of over 2.0 million pixels. The current standard definition picture contains only 480 vertical pixels by 720 pixels for a total of 345,600 pixels. Third, the color resolution of HDTV is also more than twice the resolution of analog. High definition television also has six channels of CD-quality surround sound (left, right, center, left rear, right rear, and low frequency effects).

What do 1080i and 720p mean?
There are two high definition formats: 720p and 1080i. The 720p format makes a picture with 720 vertical lines, each with 1280 pixels horizontally. It uses progressive scanning, like computers, which sends a complete picture 60 times per second. The 1080i format creates a picture with 1080 vertical lines, each with 1920 pixels horizontally. 1080i uses interlaced scanning, like traditional TV, which alternates sending odd lines and even lines and thus sends a complete picture 30 times per second. Both formats make for a clearer, sharper picture than analog television.

Do I need a new television set to watch HDTV?
Yes. You must have a high-definition tuner and monitor to properly decode HDTV signals and display them accurately. Your regular television set simply ignores HDTV signals that are being broadcast. When you want to step up to watching HDTV, you'll need to get a new high-def TV set. Make sure the next TV And or TV Tuner You Buy is capable of Component or DVi Input/Output or HDMI input/output Connections to take advantage of the HDTV Signal.

What do I need to receive HDTV?
In most areas, HDTV is only available as an over-the-air broadcast signal. This requires the use, in most cases, of an outdoor antenna pointed in the direction of the broadcaster's tower. You will also need a new HDTV receiver that can decode the digital signals. HDTV channels are typically different than your cable or over-the-air channel. Also in most cases HDTV Signals can be available from Cable Tv or Satellite Providers.

What is HDTV?
High-definition television is a new format for broadcasting TV programming. The existing format is called NTSC (National Television Standards Committee) and is analog. By contrast, the signals in HDTV are digital and are called ATSC.

Do I Need An Special HDTV Antenna To Recieve my Local OTA Channels?
No! Any UHF/VHF antenna in good condition will work. Although some antennas are advertised as being “digital” or “HDTV” ready, that can actually be said of any UHF/VHF antenna no matter how old. that simple means your regular antenna that you currently have will work fine. In some cases you may need to get an bigger larger antenna depending on your area signal coverage.

If I buy an HDTV-ready set today, will it be obsolete tomorrow?
That is a tough question to answer. The modulation standards for off-air, cable, and satellite are established and will not change in the near future. So your integrated DTV set should be just fine for many years. If your set-top box is fairly new, you may be okay there – for a while.
The question now is one of copy protection. Hollywood and the TV networks are asking the FCC to mandate copy protection on set-top boxes and integrated digital TVs. This is intended to keep their content off the Internet and minimize piracy.
One particular digital interface – DVI – is part of this plan. DVI stands for Digital Visual Interface, and is the preferred connection from any set-top box to a digital TV. That’s because the signal stays 100% digital from the content provider to your set.
Another secure digital interface, HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface), is coming down the pike and may eventually replace DVI as a secure digital connection. Unlike DVI, HDMI is supposed to carry video, audio, and control signals as a “one connector fits all” solution between components in your system.
Yet another system, the so-called Broadcast Flag (officially known as the Re-Transmission Control Descriptor) is being added to broadcast HDTV signals to prevent them from being copied and distributed on the Internet. The FCC ruled in November 2003 that all set-top boxes and integrated digital TVs sold after July, 2005 must be equipped to process the broadcast flag digital bits.
Hollywood is even asking the FCC to eliminate the “analog hole” – the ability for someone to take an HDTV signal from a set-top receiver’s analog component outputs and digitize it for copying and distribution over the Internet. There is considerable opposition to this motion, as it would affect thousands of early adopters and older set-top boxes.
As you might expect, there is considerable opposition to the broadcast flag mandate and proposals to close the “analog hole”. Advocacy groups like the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), backed by five library associations, Public Knowledge, the Consumer Federation of America, and the Consumers Union, have already sued the FCC to block implementation of the broadcast flag mandate.

Are DVD and HDTV products compatible with each other?
As stated earlier, DTV sets with 480p inputs for DVD players can show 480p DTV broadcasts, and may also be able to show 720p and 1080i. Some DVD players are now coming to market with DVI output connectors, which should work fine with current-model DTV sets.
New Equiptment are just coming on the market (HD-DVD's & Blu-Ray Players) that will replace past DVD players...
HD-DVD's are capable of Displaying 1080i and Blu-Ray is capable of displaying 1080p...

Why is it so hard to receive DTV signals in some locations?
When it comes to digital television, it's an "all or nothing at all" proposition. Once the signal is acquired, a steady stream of data assures you'll get a perfect picture and great audio. If that bitstream is interrupted, however, there will be nothing - just a blank screen. It’s as if the signal went over a cliff!
In areas with lots of buildings and multipath, frequent signal dropout causes this "cliff effect". The fix is to use a higher-gain antenna and perhaps even a preamp - assuming the multipath can be tamed. Fortunately, current model set-top DTV receivers are light years ahead of early models in terms of multipath performance.
The key to widespread rollout of digital TV is carriage of local DTV stations on cable TV systems. Today, better than 70% of all US households are getting television via cable or satellite, so you can see how important it is for broadcasters and cable/DSS providers to sign carriage agreements.

Will there be much to watch on DTV?
You bet! CBS, ABC, NBC, Fox, UPN, PBS, and WB carry most of their prime-time shows in HDTV
In other words – if you’ve been waiting for “enough HDTV programming to justify buying a new HDTV”, we’re well past that point. It’s time to join in the fun of HDTV!

Do I really Need to Buy An Dolby Digital 5.1 Sound Home Theater System with my TV?
The really Question is Why Not? Come On Join with Program. Almost all HDTV programs are encoded with DD 5.1 Audio.

You ask, I keep seeing different types of TV Models on the market, What does that all mean?

HDTV
The best television sets currently available are HDTVs with 16:9 widescreen aspect ratios capable of displaying either 720p, 1080i or higher resolutions. HDTV sets also have built-in digital receivers/decoders and deliver Dolby Digital sound. HDTV sets are available as either direct view (familiar tube TVs), rear or front projection models.

HDTV Monitor:
There are also HDTV monitors that offer the same high picture and sound quality as HDTV sets, but require separate receiver boxes to decode digital signals. HDTV monitors are available in either direct view, rear or front projection versions.

HDTV Tuner:
HDTV tuners are the key to the exciting new digital kingdom. You must have one – either inside or connected as a set-top box – in order to see DTV programs. HDTV tuners decode all ATSC formats and send 480p, 720p or 1080i signals to an HDTV monitor. It also outputs Dolby Digital audio. They are often called set-top boxes, receivers or digital decoders.

EDTV:
Like the highest quality HDTV, Enhanced Definition Television (EDTV) is an all-in-one unit—a display with a built-in decoder in either direct view or rear projection design. In this case, you'll see at least a 480p image, rather than 720p or 1080i. The screen can either be square-shaped (4:3 aspect ratio) or widescreen (16:9). It receives, reproduces and outputs Dolby Digital sound.

EDTV Monitor:
An EDTV monitor has the same display parameters as an EDTV, but does not have a built-in decoder. Occasionally, this type of TV is referred to as a multimedia monitor.

EDTV Tuner:
The Enhanced Definition TV tuner receives all digital signals, but outputs them to a TV at 480p resolution, rather than 720p or 1080i.

SDTV:
Standard Definition TV (SDTV) sets deliver a digital picture that's better than your current analog TV, but less than the 480p of EDTVs. It has a built-in decoder, but no aspect ratio is specified by CEA.

SDTV Tuner:
The Standard Definition TV tuner is the one most owners of current analog TVs are expected to purchase in the years ahead. This tuner receives all digital formats and outputs an analog (NTSC) signal. However, it does handle Dolby Digital audio.

What are digital HDTV cableCard-ready TVs?
These models have slots for CableCards, which resemble the PC cards you pop in a laptop. The beauty is you can slide these "authorization" cards into a slot on the TV. No need to add a separate set-top cable box.
But there's a disadvantage, too: First-generation cards can't handle "two-way" functions. You can't order pay-per-view, on-demand programming or display the cable company's interactive onscreen channel guides.

You Ask, I keep Seeing Different Shapes Of TV's What does that all mean?

HDTV sets are available today in many shapes, sizes and price ranges and all are designed to fit a certain consumer need.

Direct View TVs
consist of a picture tube called a cathode ray tube (CRT) and range in screen size from less than a foot (measured diagonally) up to about 40”. These sets typically rest on a TV stand or tabletop.

Projection TVs
are available in two basic configurations – front and rear projection. The most popular are one-piece, self-contained rear projection systems with screen sizes ranging from 40-inches to 80-inches. In rear projection TVs the images are reflected by mirrors inside the set onto the screen. Many rear-projection models come complete with built-in surround sound, multi-channel audio systems that create a home theater experience in one unit.
Alternative, two-piece projection systems employ either front- or rear-firing projectors that can sit on small tables or are permanently mounted on ceilings to cast projected video images on separate video screens. These systems produce pictures of 100-inches and larger.
Currently, most TV projectors – front and rear – use a combination of three CRTs that project images in the red, green and blue color spectrum. It produces large full-color pictures when the three separate images converge on the screen. But new alternatives now further reduce size, eliminate problems related to the misalignment of the CRTs and produce brighter and sharper images. Liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS), digital light amplification (DLA) and digital light processing (DLP) are examples of these newer display technologies.

Digital Light Processing (DLP)
uses a digital micromirror device to modulate reflected light. An optical semiconductor chip also adds brightness and clarity to a large screen picture. On opening day in 1998, the Texas Rangers baseball team used DLP technology to display an HDTV picture of the game on an 18-foot diagonal screen.

Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCOS)
technology manages ultra-bright light to deliver high-contrast, sharply focused color images. Utilizing one or three reflective light imagers and a sophisticated prism and lensing system, light is transformed into a laser-like beam and imprinted with a high definition image that is then magnified and displayed in a perfectly aligned widescreen format.

Digital Light Amplification(DLA)
is an electronic valve technology that uses liquid crystal on silicon to enable manufacturers to create a brighter picture on a larger screen.

Flat Panel TVs
can be hung on the wall like a picture. “Flat panel” and “flat screen” often are used interchangeably, but these are two distinct terms. A flat screen TV is not necessarily a flat panel TV. Many CRT displays have a flat screen rather than the traditional curved glass screen, but they are not flat panel and therefore, cannot be hung on the wall. Plasma and liquid crystal displays (LCD) are both flat panel display technologies.

Plasma Display Technology
does not require a tube and enables manufacturers to create a larger flat-panel TV, up to 60-inches. A plasma display consists of pixels — gas in the plasma state reacts with phosphors in each sub-pixel to produce what engineers call “colored light.” That explains how a plasma TV can display such a clear picture with the lights on.

Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
technology now is used on everything from digital clocks to microwaves.These thinner displays require less power than CRTs found in most televisions. Many TV makers are using LCDs to create ultra-thin sets that can display HDTV pictures.

You ask, Are there Any New TV Technologies Coming Out On the market in the futre, way beond HDTV?
Well as matter a fact yes. An New Tv Technology called (UltraHDTV) is in the Future. But it is still in early stages of Development. But don't expect it to see it in the next Year or two, It may be on the market way in the future, properbly in 10-20 years from now. UltraHDTV will reguire you to buy even a another new TV, because Current HDTV will not work with the UltraHDTV Signals. UltraHDTV will be able to produce an real 3-D Image, with even higher resolutions then the current HDTV. But lets not start asking questions about this New Technology just Yet : )

You ask, Why is the Goverment requiring me to buy an New TV By Year 2006 Or 2009?
Well the Goverment wants to action off the analog Tv signals to be used for other uses, such as Wireless Phone providers, and Public Safety Uses, such as Police, Fire communications Needs, So that another September 11th 2001 Event doesn't happen again. Reports showed that Police and Fire Personal lacked communication signal reach, which in results mean why police and fire personal didnot know that the Buildings going to come down, which is why many of them Died.
So Join with the program, and upgrade your Tv, Just do it for Your Own Safety and all of Ours Safety.

You ask, Can I see what kind of New Technology is coming out on the market, before it hits the stores shelves?
Yes, Its called the Comusumer Electronic Show (CES) In Las Vegas Usually In January Of Each year.

If you have been told that you may not erect a small outdoor TV antenna, that is probably wrong.
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 has a provision that preempts (overrules) nearly all local restrictions such as deed restrictions, home-owners association rules, renters contracts, and so on.
For more details seeFCC Fact Sheet.

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