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What is DTV Technology?
A Brief Introduction

What is DTV?

The standard for broadcasting picture and sound using digital signals, DTV allows for dramatic improvements in both picture and sound quality versus conventional NTSC analog programming. DTV programming can be delivered in two basic formats: standard analog definition (SDTV) or high definition (HDTV).

DTV Format Comparison
Transmission Type Analog Digital Digital Digital Digital
  NTSC Standard Definition Standard Definition High Definition High Definition
Maximum Resolution 480i 480i 480p 720p 1080i
Aspect Ratio 4:3 4:3 4:3 or 16:9 16:9 16:9
Channel Capacity 1 5-6 5-6 1-2 1
Description Standard TV as we know it today Good Picture and Sound —DVD or DBS Quality Better, depending on source; can be outstanding Best Possible Best Possible


The highest form of digital television, delivering up to 1,080 scan lines, HDTV produces images that go beyond anything you've ever seen in a home environment. SDTV, or Standard Definition Television, is also a dramatic improvement over today's TV, with the added benefit of allowing stations to broadcast multiple programs within the same bandwidth as an HDTV signal.

DTV Format Detail
ScanLines Scan Rate Pixelization Frame Rate Aspect Ratio Formats
SDTV 525 total
480 active
15.75 kHz (60i) 480 x 640 24p, 30p, 60p or 60i fps 4:3 4
525 total
480 active
31.5 kHz (60p) 480 x 704 24p, 30p, 60p or 60i fps 4:3 or 16:9 8(4x2)
HDTV 750 total
720 active
45 kHz
(60p)
720 x 1080 24p, 30p, 60p 16:9 3
1125 total
1080 active
33.75 kHz
(60i)
1080 x 1920 24p, 30p, 60i 16:9 3

Adopted DTV formats also include both interlaced and progressive broadcast and display methods.

Interlaced Scanning: The frame/picture is made up of two fields
—consisting of 525 lines (480 viewable) or 1125 lines (1080 viewable)
Show Interlaced vs. Progressive Scanning explanation Show Interlaced vs. Progressive Scanning explanation Show Interlaced vs. Progressive Scanning explanation
All odd numbered lines are scanned on the screen in 1/60th of a second All even numbered lines are scanned on the screen in 1/60th of a second This presents an entire picture in 1/30th of a second

 

Progressive Scanning : The frame/picture is made up of one field
—consisting of 525 lines (480 viewable) or 765 lines (720 viewable)
Show Interlaced vs. Progressive Scanning explanation Show Interlaced vs. Progressive Scanning explanation
All horizontal lines are scanned in succession in a single pass This presents an entire picture in 1/60th of a second (twice as fast as interlaced)

Where is DTV programming?
Right now, a little over 50% of American homes have access to digital television through the four major networks. By 2002, 100% of all commercial stations will offer digital programming. And according to FCC mandate, all U.S. television stations must begin digital broadcasting by 2003, and be exclusively digital by 2006. It's time you went digital. It's in your future.

DTV Broadcast Timeline
1999 2000 2001 2002
Top 4 Networks and Top 10 Markets by May 1 (30% households)     All Commercial Stations by May 1 (100% households)
Top 4 Networks and Top 30 Markets by November 1 (53% households)      
2003 2004 2005 2006
All PBS by May 1 75% Simulcast by April 3 100% Simulcast by April 3 All Stations 100% Digital
50% Content Simulcast     Return Analog Spectrum

The content shown above was provided by Panasonic.

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