Louisville HDTV Information Site and Discussion Board :: Frequently Asked Questions
 
 
 
 
  FAQs

What is digital television?
Digital TV(DTV) is an entirely new television system that will ultimately replace the existing analog system, commonly known as NTSC. The term "DTV" refers to a television system that can transmit, receive, and display digital images.

What is HDTV?
High Definition Television "HDTV" provides significantly improved picture quality with more visible detail, a wide screen format (16:9 aspect ratio), and may be accompanied by digital surround-sound capability.

What about EDTV and SDTV; how do they fit into the DTV picture?
EDTV stands for enhanced definition television. It is generally accepted to describe a system used to convey programs featuring pictures and sound that are superior to conventional (analog) television. EDTV programs can be transmitted by the DTV system. SDTV stands for standard definition television. It is generally accepted to describe a system used to convey pictures and sound that are equivalent to the best conventional (analog) signals possible today. As with EDTV, SDTV signals can be transmitted by the DTV system. SDTV and EDTV may be in wide screen format.

What is "wide screen" or "16 x 9"?
The wide-screen picture format is intended to provide a more realistic and compelling visual presentation. A wide-screen display is commonly referred to as a "16 x 9" format, meaning that the picture is 16 arbitrary units wide by nine units high. By contrast, a conventional display is 4 units wide by 3 units high, or "4 x 3." Thus, the 16 x 9 display provides a wider image area that more closely matches the relative dimensions, or aspect ratio, of the cinema.

How is digital television different from the existing analog television service?
With digital television, broadcasters are able to offer free, over-the-air television of higher resolution and better picture quality than is possible under the current mode of TV transmission. If broadcasters so choose, they can offer HDTV-television with theater-quality pictures and CD-quality sound. Alternatively, a broadcaster can offer several different TV programs at the same time, with picture and sound quality better than is available today from the analog broadcast service.

What equipment do I need to receive digital TV?
There are a number of ways to receive DTV signals. Some digital television sets have the digital decoding and tuning functions built into the TV-an integrated, one product solution. Others are a two-part system-a digital monitor, capable of displaying HDTV, EDTV, or SDTV signals-plus a tuner/demodulator/decoder in a separate set-top box. The two-part solution allows consumers to upgrade to DTV when they are ready.

Is my current television obsolete?
No. Analog television sets will continue to receive analog broadcasts at least through 2006 and possibly longer. After that, consumers will be able to hook up a set-top box to their existing TV to receive digital TV broadcast signals, but not in high-definition. Of course, current TV sets will continue to work with cable, satellite, VCRs, DVD players, and other devices for many years.

Which is better-the set-top box or integrated receiver approach?
It all depends on what you are looking for, how much you want to pay, and when you want to make your purchase. If the local stations in your area are broadcasting DTV, an integrated set is probably the set to buy. However, if the stations in your area are not yet broadcasting DTV, you might consider buying a high-definition monitor now-to get improved pictures for your regular television programs (via satellite, cable, or through your antenna) and your DVD-and then add a set-top box once stations in your area are on the air with digital programming.

Will my VCR and DVD player work with DTV?
Yes. VCRs and DVD players will work with digital television sets. However, the picture quality will only be equal to the best of what current VCR and DVD players can deliver. At this writing, the highest quality commonly available from a DVD player is 480P (progressive-scan output). Plans are in the works for high-definition DVD systems, however, such products will not be available to consumers for some time.

To receive off-air DTV signals, will I need to install a rooftop antenna?
This is a bit of a complicated issue. In many instances, a simple indoor (rabbit-ear-type) antenna will suffice. In other cases, a rooftop antenna will be necessary. As a general rule of thumb, if you need an outdoor (rooftop) antenna to receive conventional (analog) TV signals, you will need one for DTV signals. For help in selecting an antenna for DTV use, check out a special Web site developed by the Consumer Electronics Association: http://www.antennaweb.org.

What sources of digital TV programming are available?
There are a number of ways to receive television programs of improved quality. Digital TV programming is available throughout the country via home satellite systems, and-in many areas-over the air and by cable. To receive an over-the-air signal, you will need an over-the-air antenna. The type of antenna required-be it rooftop or indoor-depends on your location relative to the local broadcasters and the local terrain.

Does the DTV system support services other than entertainment programming?
Yes. Broadcasters, if they so choose, are able to transmit-in addition to entertainment programming-a variety of information through the data bitstream to enhance TV programs or to provide entirely new services. For example, TV programs can be broadcast with a variety of languages and captions, and sports programs can be broadcast so that the individual viewer can call up player statistics, game scores, or other information. Broadcasters could also, for example, transmit to your television an entire edition of a newspaper, sports information, computer software, telephone directories, stock market updates, interactive educational material, or any other information that can be translated into digital bits. The ATSC DTV system is a 19.4 Mb/s pipeline that can be used for the delivery of a wide variety of digital services.

Will I still be able to watch my favorite TV programs?
Digital television is simply a new way of transmitting program material. The programming carried depends upon the broadcaster. The programs themselves will not necessarily change, except to the extent that the pictures and sound will be better, and a greater variety of effects and enhancements will be possible. Each broadcaster will also be able to offer several programs at the same time through their expanded DTV channel capacity. There is a trade-off between using digital transmission capacity for improved pictures and sound, and using it to transmit additional programs. Also, broadcasters will be able to devote some capacity to offering a variety of other information services. The determination of how much capacity to devote to improved pictures and how much to devote to additional programs or other services is up to each broadcaster and their response to viewer demands. Broadcasters can change the service provided on a timeslot-by-timeslot basis. In any event, digital broadcasters are required by the FCC to carry-at a minimum-one video programming stream of visual quality that is equal to or better than what is now available on their analog channel.

What is simulcasting and how does it affect the DTV transition?
During the transition to DTV, broadcasters will operate both analog (NTSC) and digital channels. Individual broadcasters will decide which programs to put on which channel, and they may decide to "simulcast" programs on both stations (that is, air the same program at the same time on both the digital and analog stations). FCC rules, in fact, require a certain amount of simulcasting during the transition period.

How does digital television benefit the public?
The conversion to DTV benefits the public because of the improved quality, and most likely quantity, of free over-the-air television services to consumers. Furthermore, there exists the very real potential availability of much more information from the consumer's television set. In addition, another important benefit of DTV is that it will eventually free up parts of the broadcast spectrum and allow its return to the government for other important uses. A part of this additional spectrum has already been designated for public safety, police, and fire department usage, and other options will be available for business purposes. For additional information on the public policy issues involved in the DTV conversion, see the FCC's website: www.fcc.gov/mb/policy/dtv/#FAQ

What is the timetable for completing the DTV transition?
The transition to DTV-only service is currently scheduled for the end of 2006, subject to periodic review and depending on DTV availability. After the transition is complete, broadcasters are required to return to the government the spectrum currently used for analog stations.

Are the new DTV sets very expensive?
Just as color television sets were expensive when they were first introduced, new digital TVs were quite expensive at first, with manufacturers concentrating initially on "high-end" models. Now, several years into the transition, prices have dropped significantly. As with any consumer electronics business model, as more DTV sets are sold, the per-unit prices drop.

What are the main attributes of new DTV sets?
New DTV sets are typically widescreen models, allowing the pictures to be viewed more like those experienced in a movie theater. The wider picture, especially in larger set sizes, enhances sports and drama viewing, making you feel more involved in the action, as well as rendering more realistic pictures. As with current TV sets, a range of sizes is available, from 15-inch or so table-top models up through very large screen projection systems. It is important to remember that large screen size takes greatest advantage of the superb imagery of HDTV. Because the DTV signal is transmitted digitally, it means that the user will not longer experience noise ("snow") or ghosts on their displays.

Why turn off analog-couldn't we have both DTV and conventional TV?
Congress has determined that the broadcast television service must eventually convert completely to digital transmissions. In fact, the modern technology of DTV is far more spectrum-efficient than analog TV technology, meaning that it will allow the same number of stations to broadcast more program material using less radio spectrum. This will free up scarce and valuable spectrum for other communications uses. DTV and analog channels, however, cannot operate on the same channel in the same location at the same time. It would be highly inefficient, expensive, and wasteful to allocate spectrum for every broadcaster to operate two TV stations permanently. Therefore, exclusive service in one method of transmission is necessary, and a determination has been made by Congress to provide the public with the superior service possible with DTV.

What must a TV station do to convert to DTV?
The answer depends upon the individual circumstances of the TV station. All TV stations will need a new transmitter, antenna, and production facilities. Some TV broadcasters will have to modify their antenna towers or construct new towers for their DTV antennas. Before modifying or building towers, broadcasters may need to receive approval from state, city, or county governments regarding local zoning, structural engineering, construction, safety, and other issues. For more information on DTV in general, and tower issues in particular, see the FCC Web site, http://www.fcc.gov/dtv/.

Will DTV stations cause interference with any other technologies?
Certain medical telemetry devices, such as cardiac monitors, are allowed to use TV broadcast channels that are unoccupied in their geographic area. As they transition to DTV, however, television stations are now beginning to use these formerly unoccupied TV channels. When this occurs, the medical telemetry systems need to be shifted to a non-broadcast band. The FCC and the Food and Drug Administration are taking steps to avert such cases of interference before they happen.