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| Posted: December 14, 2007 |
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Starting Monday December 17, the NewsHour began broadcasting in HDTV-- high-definition television. While this gives viewers a bigger and better picture, it provides an array of challenges for our newsroom. To better explain what you're seeing and why, NewsHour staff answered your questions. |
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| Desmond Jones of Santa Barbara, Calif., asks: |
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| What will happen if one does not have HDTV on and after Feb. 2009? And what effect, if any, will HDTV have on the quality of programming being broadcast? |
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| Steve Howard responds: |
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It might not have been clear from our report (although we struggled to make it so) but what happens on February 17th, 2009 is the cessation of analog broadcasts in the U.S. and the beginning of digital broadcasts. We often refer to this new signal as "DTV" or "Digital Television". This is not HDTV although its introduction allows for the transmission of HDTV. In other words, DTV allows for the broadcast of both Standard Definition and High Definition TV but HDTV may not be broadcast on today's analog system and requires DTV for distribution. If you do not have an HDTV, you will still be able to view Standard Definition broadcasts by using a converter for your old analog sets unless they have digital tuners. Your current televisions will all be able to continue to receive Standard Definition broadcasts if they have digital tuners built in (sets over 25 inches built and sold in the U.S. must have digital tuners as of March of last year) or with the addition of a device to convert digital signals to analog. On February 17th, 2009, this will affect over-the-air broadcasts. You will need an off-the-air converter that will essentially tune the digital signals for you and convert them to analog. If you subscribe to a cable service, you are likely to already have one of these converters in the form of a set-top tuner either provided by you cable company or one which you rent to tune the various channels on the cable. Cable is not controlled by the same rules of operation as broadcasters so the date your cable service with discontinue analog broadcasts is up to them. If your old set is connected directly to the cable and you tune the various programs on your old set, you should contact the cable system and find out when and if they plan to discontinue analog transmission. You will probably need a digital tuner from them at that time. As for your quality question, we are still producing the same program under the same rules. Looking at the world through new glasses doesn't change the world, it just adds a clarity of vision. |
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| Chris Dee responds: |
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It depends on how you currently, or intend to in the future, receive television programming. If you received it over the air as a modulated frequency in an analog format, then you will be unable to view full powered stations. However, if you are utilizing a cable provider or satellite provider then you will be unaffected. By utilizing an HDTV you will experience a dramatic increase in resolution (by about five times), great colorimetry, a much wider picture (from 1.33:1 to 1.78:1) and much more dynamic sound (from stereo to 5.1 surround sound). The advantages and increased quality are fantastic. |
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