HDTV

Also known as High definition television. It broadcasts television signal with higher signals as compared to traditional formats such as SECAM,PAL and NTSC. HDTV is broad casted digitally.

The major differences between HDTV and standard definition TV

16:9 wide screen is used as standard.
Increased picture resolution.
Can support multi-channel radio.

The major aspect of a HDTV is the increased resolution. HDTV can be broad casted in two formats 720p and 1080i. These numbers represent the number of lines of vertical resolution and the letters refer to the signals whether they are progressive scan or interlaced.

Progressive scan implies that each frame will be shown in it's entirety rather being split into fields. It's aspect ratio is 16:9 wide screen. In order to receive HDTV broadcast we need HDTV receiver or built-in HDTV tuner.

HDTV is widely popular in Japan and it is gaining ground in the states. It was the 2005 Super bowl which increased the popularity of HDTV.

Even in Australia it was initially sluggish but is picking up since 2003. In Europe it is still in the nascent stages with only one company broadcasting HDTV in the whole of Europe.

It makes use of progressive scanning which creates flicker-free image enabling smoother appearance of fast-motion video and easy to read text.

Progressive scanning implies refreshing one million pixels on the screen simultaneously. In order to enjoy HDTV following equipments are required:

High Definition Receiver
High Definition Monitor
Dish antenna for HDTV

In a high definition TV life like colors and better sounds can be availed of as ten times more pixels or picture frames are transmitted.

The programs are transmitted in a wide screen format rather than 4:3 format which results in the images being squeezed or cut.