HDTV And TheDigital Transition (NAPSA)—TIf you're thinking of buying a new TV, you probably have a lot of questions. Fortunately, Jim Barry, the Consumer Electronics Association’s and a leading authority on HDTV, can help set the record straight. 1. Whatis the difference between analog and High Definition TV? The real differ- ence is between analog and digital TV. Analog, the technolJim Barry ogy we’ve been using in radio and TV for nearly a century, converts sound and pictures into magnetic waves. Digital technology converts them into the ones and zeroes of computer code, providing crisp, lifelike high-quality video and sound. Thebest digital TV is high-definition (HDTV). HDTVoffers an image five times better than an analog signal and is transmitted in a wide screen (16:9) format with Dolby Digital surround sound, creating a much more realistic home theater experience that makes you feel as if youre at the stadium or in the movie scene. 2. Why switch to HDTV now? All electronics are becoming digital. Among others, there are now DVDsfor video, digital cameras, digital satellite and digital cable. Broadcast TV stations are required by the federal government to make the transition to digital television (DTV) over the next several years. 3. Are the new flat-panel TVs HDTV? Some are and some aren’t. Plasma displays and Liquid Crystal Displays can both deliver High-definition TV is the bestpic- ture and soundavailable. HDTV, but not all do. If you’re shopping for a flat-panel, be sure to find out if it’s a monitor (which means you'll have to connect a tuner), or a TV (which means it has a tuner built in). Then be sure to find outif it’s capable of HDTV. 4. What is there to watch in HDTV and how do I getit? More and more HDTV pro- grams are available. Almost all CBS, NBC and ABC primetime shows are broadcast in HDTV; in addition, the WB network has a dozen hours a week, PBS does many shows in High Definition and almost all big sports events are now broadcast in HD. If you subscribe to cable or satellite, you can choose from a variety of programming from HBO to Showtime to 24-hour pay-per-view HD movie channels and more. 5. Do I need satellite or cable TV to fully enjoy HDTV? Not necessarily. It depends on what you watch. You can get digital HDTV over the air using a set top or rooftop antenna, over satellite using a High Definition satellite receiver and dish, or through cable using a digital High Definition cable box. For more information, check out www.CE.org/HDTVeguide.
