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Knowledge Is Key
For Intelligent Decisions
Satellite Logic is a leading,
authoritative source of information in
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Logic provides one of the most
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market! This is a primary Worldwide
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If you still don't have an HD TV set then you probably feel a bit
uncomfortable each time you see the Available in HD title before your
favorite show starts. As many other viewers around the country, you're
not aware of the HDTV programming options and you're probably asking
yourself - what all the hype is about?
As time passes by moving to HDTV becomes cheaper and cheaper. Yes,
you'll need both an HD TV and a high definition source to watch and
program HDTV, but it's not that expensive and difficult. Today the major
broadcast networks like ABC, Fox, CBS, and NBC offer almost all of their
programs in high definition. Moreover, other networks such as HBO,
ESPN, and Discovery are also offer high-definition channels. It is true
though, cable and satellite providers don't carry all of the available
networks that broadcast HD. Some of the networks are still behind and
many HD channels don't show all of their content in HD; ESPNHD, for
example, still broadcasts numerous events and shows in standard-def.
When choosing your HDTV option, there are many things to consider
besides pricing of course which changes frequently. But let's focus on
HDTV programming. For most owners of new HDTVs, getting over-the-air
high-definition programming is as simple as connecting an antenna.
That's because all HDTV sold since March 2007 include built-in ATSC
tuners which enable viewers to receive HD as well as LR digital
broadcasts over the air. TV sets without tuners, technically called
monitors, are exempt from having to include built-in ATSC tuners.
In February 2009, over-the-air TV broadcasters nationwide will start a
process during which they'll turn off their analog broadcasts, moving on
to digital broadcasts for the foreseeable future. So how should you get
ready to these changes? First, although you could still give a chance to
your old antenna, the best option would be to get a specialized antenna
for grabbing over-the-air HDTV signals. If you still have an old-school
UHF/VHF antenna, give it a try before coughing up the extra cash for a
dedicated HD antenna. Use antennaweb.org to get assistance in
choosing the right HDTV antenna. They'll also help you with the aligning
of your antenna; all you have to do is to type in your zip code, and the
site will give you compass headings for the nearest HDTV transmission
towers. After a little trial and error, you should get your HDTV. It's a
good idea to work with someone who can read the signal-strength
meter on your HDTV receiver or TV so that you can get the best signal.
Once you get the HD signal, you'll be amazed by the crystal clear picture,
like nothing you've seen before. Well, maybe only in reality. Unlike analog
TV signals, digital HD transmissions won't suffer from static interference
or ghosting, the faint, duplicate picture that you see when analog signals
bounce off tall buildings. They can, however, break up and drop in and
out if your local HD signals are weak.
Programming your HDTV is not very complicated. The choices are pretty
impressive. The number of local TV stations broadcasting in HDTV has
grown dramatically in recent years. Since the end of 2007 more than
1,400 stations broadcast a digital signal. Keep in mind that in 2002 the
number was only 400. According to the National Association of
Broadcasters, about 99 percent of U.S. households are within range of
at least one DTV station. Unless you live in a rural area and have trouble
receiving analog TV signals, it's a safe bet that over-the-air HD is
available in your neighborhood.
There's also plenty of HD programming on the air. All of the major
networks, including ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, and PBS offer most of their
filmed comedies and dramas in HD. Most news, daytime, and reality
programming is still standard-definition (such as Survivor and The
Bachelor), but they're about to change either. The Young and the
Restless has been shot in HD for several years now, while Good
Morning, America made the HD switch in late 2005, and American Idol
has been produced in HD beginning with its 2005 season. Even late-
night programming is getting in on the act, with The Tonight Show with
Jay Leno, The Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan
O'Brien, and Saturday Night Live all making the jump to high-def.
Although ESPN isn't available over-the-air, sports fans can enjoy most
major network events in HD. From the NFL, MLB, and NBA to NCAA,
NASCAR, Golf, and horse racing, thousands of sporting events are
broadcast in HD each year. CBS, NBC, and Fox show almost all of their
football programming in HD, while Fox serves up most MLB games in
high-definition. ABC carries the NBA and college basketball in high-
definition, while CBS broadcasts March Madness, the PGA Tour, and the
U.S. Open tennis championship. NASCAR fans can get their HD fix on NBC
and Fox, and NBC's Olympics coverage offers hundreds of hours of high-
definition--in venues with HD cameras.
True HDTV programming is typically broadcast in one of two resolutions:
1080i or 720p. Most networks have opted for the 1080i format, boasting
that it provides the highest possible resolution, while ABC, Fox, ESPN/
ESPN2, and the National Geographic Channel went for the smoother
pictures of 720p. The difference between the 2 is not too big. While
1080i technically offers the most lines of resolution, it's delivered in the
old-style interlaced format, meaning that your TV set draws each frame
in two passes: once for the even horizontal lines and a second time for
the odd lines. The 720p (progressive) format has fewer lines of
information than 1080i but draws each frame in a single pass, delivering
pictures that look slightly smoother than an interlaced image, especially
when there's a lot of movement on the screen. For average viewers it's
hard to tell the difference.
So all you need now before programming your HDTV is a good TV set
and a reliable supplier.
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