Where to find video sources for HDTV?
August 25, 2007
Standard Definition TV (SDTV), Enhanced Definition TV (EDTV) and High Definition TV (HDTV) represent the evolution of TV over the period since J.L. Baird invented the first ever television in 1936. Standard Definition TVs have less than 480 lines of resolution and can display images at 4:3 format. In contrast, EDTVs are digital and have a minimum resolution of 480 lines but less than 720 lines of resolution. An EDTV image can have either 4:3 aspect ratio or wider aspect ratio (16:9). DVD is an example for EDTV source since it has a resolution of 480 lines (or 480 pixels when the image is scanned vertically).
However, HDTV, which is digital and has a standard 16:9 aspect ratio, can show the highest resolution up to 1080p (which provides picture quality than 1080i image). Despite its ability to provide the image quality in terms of sharpness, natural colours and smoothness, HDTV display invariably depends on video sources it is connected to. If the video sources are too HDTV and configured to the TV, we get true HDTV viewing experience. What happens when you receive SDTV signals through your HDTV-enabled television set? The answer is your HDTV still shows the picture depending on the source as it cannot enhance the original picture quality. On the contrary, if you are in a place where you can get HDTV broadcast either via cable or some satellite HDTV service, you are supposed to use a HDTV with in-built HD tuner or with some exterior HD tuner to enable your HDTV process the HD signals. This is to have true HDTV experience.
HDTV materials or sources can be accessed by following ways:
1. HDTV broadcast via air or by cable
HDTV broadcasters send HD signals over the air using transmitter or via cable network. However, to process HD signals, you should have HDTV television sets which come with in-built HD tuners. While these sets are a bit expensive, HD Ready television sets, although they are cheaper, need external set-top tuner boxes to enable them to display HDTV images. In the same way, HD signals broadcast via cable require similar set-top box which is often provided by the cable operator. The QAM, as it is called, often comes with a high end plasma TV or LCD TV.
2. HDTV broadcast using satellites
Television services like Sky and Virgin Media in the UK transmit HD signals using satellites. Again, the viewers need to use satellite dish and receiver box to receive and process the HD signals.
3. HDTV Home Video materials
While most of conventional home videos are yet to be upgraded to HDTV, some of the video sources like High Definition DVD, Blu-ray are HDTV and can provide HDTV materials where HDTV broadcast is not available.
4. Video games compatible with HDTV
As the computer games and video games are becoming the biggest market, new games like Playstation 3 and Xbox series come with HD compatibility and offer superb visual and audio experience.
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