| Q: What’s the new “Digital TV” format? |
| A: In 1998, the Federal Communications Committee adopted and launched a new television format that changes the way broadcast television signals are transmitted into viewer’s homes. Our existing analog format, called NTSC (National Television Standards Committee), offered broadcasters the ability to only transmit one channel of limited quality video and audio on a given frequency. The new system uses digital compression to provide broadcasters and viewers more options, more channels, more information with those channels, better quality and better reception of television signals. Since the signal’s digital, you either receive it or you don’t. There’s no ghosting, or signal degradation. The image is crystal clear. A broadcaster can transmit five different sub-channels that are similar in quality to the one channel they used to offer or they can transmit one channel in high definition, with five times greater detail. The signal can include 5.1 channel surround sound, program-specific information (story description, director and actor names, etc…) and can be presented in a widescreen aspect ratio. Broadcasters have been assigned new channel frequencies to transmit the new signals and viewers need to get new TV tuners to receive these new channels (assuming the local broadcaster is using the system). Viewers will also need to have a high-definition capable display in order for them to take advantage of high definition broadcasts. Cable and satellite systems are not directly affected by these changes, though both groups have adopted high definition to some extent. Satellite systems are already digitally transmitted and cable providers are rapidly expanding their digital capabilities. |