·  What are the advantages of HDTV?

There are several benefits to viewing programs in high-definition.

1.       Clarity. The digital signal is crystal clear and noise-free.

2.       Wide-screen picture. Traditional televisions use a 4 by 3 aspect ratio, which means the screens are 4 units wide by 3 units high. However, theatrical films are usually much wider, taking advantage of the actual human field of vision. HDTV uses a wider 16 by 9 aspect ratio, which delivers movies with less "edge cropping" and provides a more intense viewing experience.

3.       Sharpness. In addition to clarity, HDTV provides a much sharper picture than analog television. Just like a digital camera, more pixels means sharper pictures. The highest resolution HDTV format has approximately 2 million pixels compared to about ½ million pixels in analog TV.

4.       Digital sound. HDTV's digital audio sounds better than a standard television's analog sound, just like digital CDs are superior to analog radio. Also, some HDTV programs use Dolby Digital surround sound, which is also frequently used on DVDs. With 6 speakers, Dolby Digital can create a home theater experience with a three-dimensional sound field.

·  Aren't there two different HDTV formats (720p and the 1080i)? Which will a new HDTV receive?
The Digital Television (DTV) standard allows broadcasters to choose among several different formats that they can transmit. There are two high definition formats: 720p and 1080i.

·  Why are there two HD formats? What are the technical details of 720p and 1080i?
Having two HD formats allows broadcasters to choose the format that provides the best technical quality for their particular mix of programming.

The 720p format makes a picture with 720 vertical lines, each with 1280 pixels horizontally -- so in computer display terms, it has a resolution of "1280 x 720". 720p uses progressive scanning, like computers, which sends a complete picture 60 times per second. 720p provides the smoothest possible motion rendition, but it does not have as much resolution as 1080i.

The 1080i format makes a picture with 1080 vertical lines, each with 1920 pixels horizontally -- so in computer display terms, it has a resolution of "1920 x 1080". 1080i uses interlaced scanning, like traditional TV, which alternates sending odd lines and even lines and thus sends a complete picture 30 times per second. 1080i provides the highest possible resolution, but has the same motion rendition as traditional TV.

For those of you are really technically inclined, think about this: movies and many primetime shows that are produced on film are made with only 24 pictures per second, so 1080i actually becomes progressive scan when film-based material is being broadcast!