High Definition TV Making Progress In Consumer Homes
In these days of modern electronics all the buzz is about high definition TV and what it means to the viewing public. From television monitors with liquid crystal display or plasma televisions, most broadcasters and distributing their signals for high definition TV receivers. While many consumers are buying high definition monitors, they may not be equipped to receive high definition broadcasts and probably have not noticed any picture quality on their more expensive sets.
In essence, high definition TV is programming sent in digital format from the broadcaster. While cable and satellite broadcasts are more widely sent on in digital format, some broadcast channels sending their signal to user's antennas also send out digital signals. However, even with a high definition TV set, if the consumer does not have the proper receiving equipment, they will still be viewing the picture in analog format.
Close to 30 percent of the home in the United States have at least on high definition TV set in the house. While the saturation for cable and satellite providers is much higher than that 30 percent, many users are dissatisfied with the wide-screen format of the receivers. The 16:9 aspect ratio is the default aspect for high definition broadcast, but technology in the older analog monitors will show the picture in the standard 4:3 aspect ratio.
Not All Wide Screen Sets Are High Definition
Consumers may also be confused about what high definition TV is all about, possibly believing that all wide screen TVs are high definition. There are currently three defined standards of high definition, 1080i, 1080p and 720p. The number is the number of lines scanned by the monitor and the "i" indicates the scan in interlaced, the "p" signifies progressive scans. While these terms may be somewhat confusing, the most common type of high definition TV is 1080i, which many experts claim offer the clearest resolution.
High definition TV does provide a picture much sharper than analog TVs but if the user is receiving a digital signal and watch the broadcast on analog TV, they will not see any difference. Additionally, a viewer with a high definition TV receiving an analog signal, will start to question the intelligence of their purchase.
Sharper resolution and brighter colors are the main selling points for high definition TV and for those who are connected to cable or satellite digital broadcast, the difference will immediately noticeable. For those without a digital incoming signal, the view will remain virtually unchanged.
