CAVSI - Technical Questions & Answers

“DTV” is a general reference to Digital Television, as compared to “analog” Television. DTV broadcasts can be either HDTV (high-definition television) or SDTV (standard-definition television). HDTV can broadcast at resolutions typically as high as 1920 by 1080 pixels (2 million pixels), whereas the resolutions of SDTV broadcasts are typically only as high as 640 by 480 pixels (290,000 pixels).

In comparison, analog television produces a total of about 210,000 pixels. Broadcasters and cable providers can choose which format of DTV they transmit, and most DTVs and new HDTV set-top boxes will be able to receive the signal regardless of which format is transmitted. Note, however, that your standard analog TV set will not be able to receive DTV signals (neither HDTV nor SDTV)....

TVs connected to cable, satellite, or other pay services do not require a TV converter box from this program to receive programs after February 17, 2009. Check with your cable or satellite provider to determine how they will support your analog set after February 17, 2009. Time Warner, Comcast, and Direct TV Cable are already broadcasting digital programming.

The cable companies have agreed to continue to furnish analog versions of the locally available over-the-air digital TV until 2012 or to furnish converter boxes. What they choose to do regarding any other analog TV they presently have, is up to them....

Digital TVs have labeled as “Integrated Digital Tuner,” “Digital Tuner Built-In,” “Digital Receiver,” or “Digital Tuner,” “DTV,” “ATSC,” or “HDTV” (High Definition television). If your television equipment contains any of these labels or markings and it contains a digital tuner, you can view over-the-air digital programming without the need for a digital-to-analog converter box.

The only televisions that have DTV turners are those that since about 1998, have been sold as having an integrated or “built-in” DTV or HDTV broadcast turner. (An HD set sold as a “monitor” or “HD-ready” is capable of displaying HDTV but does not have a built-in HDTV turner) Most TVs with analog turners are now required by the FCC to also be marketed with built-in or separate DTV or HDTV turners – this will soon be a requirement for all TVs....

There are many quality levels of digital television programming. The most common are:

Standard Definition TV (SDTV) – SDTV is the basic level of quality display and resolution for both analog and digital. Transmission of SDTV may be in either the traditional (4:3) or widescreen (16:9) format....

A Digital to Analog Converter Box or Digital Television (DTV) Converter Box is an electronic device that converts the new free over-the-air digital signal into an analog signal viewable on an older “analog” television set.

A digital-to-analog converter box will not give you a digital picture on an analog TV set but will not convert your analog TV set into a high-definition TV, also known as an HDTV....

The benefits of digital television are amazing and include:

Better picture quality: Digital technology allows the transmission of pictures with higher resolution for dramatically better picture and sound quality than currently available (HDTV). Most viewers will see improved clarity and color when watching their favorite news, sports, or entertainment programming....

The digital television transition (also called the digital switchover or analog switch-off) is the switchover from analog (the traditional method of transmitting television signals) to exclusively digital broadcasting of free television programming. The transition from analog to digital television represents the most significant advancement of television technology since color TV was introduced.

Countries that are already switched off to digital television are:...

Digital Television or DTV is a new technology that will replace today’s analog television system. DTV is more efficient and more flexible than the traditional way of broadcasting known as analog. Digital television allows higher-quality images and sound and more programming choices than analog television does. However, a digital signal does not necessarily carry a higher-quality image or sound than an analog signal.

DTV enables broadcasters to offer television with better picture and sound quality., DTV makes it possible for stations to broadcast multiple channels of free programming all at once, called multicasting, instead of broadcasting one channel at a time. DTV technology can also be used to deliver future interactive video and data services that analog technology can’t provide.
DTV offers several broadcast options, two of which are considered to be HDTV formats. Some of the more common DTV standards include:...