Learn About HDTV

High-definition television (HDTV) is a digital television system that produces markedly better picture quality than standard-definition. In fact, HDTV produces the best television audio and video available to consumers today.

The clarity of a television picture is determined by the number of lines used for images. Each line contains picture elements that make up the detail we view. The higher the number of lines, or picture elements, the better the resolution and the higher the picture quality and detail. An HDTV with twice the number of lines of a standard-definition television set will produce a picture that has twice the quality.

HDTV - Different Resolutions or Exceptional Picture and Sound

HDTVs come in different resolutions: 720p, 1080i, and 1080p. These numbers represent how many lines are embedded in the signal, and the letter denotes the type of scan the HDTV uses to display the picture. The higher the number, the higher the resolution. The "i" stands for interlaced scan and the "p" means progressive scan. With progressive scan every line is refreshed in each frame update. With interlaced scan every other line is refreshed in each frame update so it takes two frame updates to refresh the entire screen.

HDTV Screens Match Movie Theater Screen Ratios

While the quality of high-definition picture and sound is undoubtedly at the heart of the skyrocketing popularity of HDTV with consumers over the last few years, another feature that sets HDTV apart is screen size. HDTVs have a 16:9 aspect ratio which means the screen is the same ratio as a movie theater screen. This type of rectangular screen allows a much larger picture area than a standard-definition television screen which is more the shape of a square. The HDTV screen size is especially well-suited to viewing movies and sports events.

How to View HD Programming

More and more high-definition (HD) programming is being offered today through cable providers but in order to view HD programs you must have an HDTV. Conversely, just because you own an HDTV it doesn't mean you will automatically be watching HD programming. You must subscribe to a cable provider that offers a high-definition TV package or purchase an antenna that will allow you to receive over-the-air HD signals.