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A Guide to Digital TV
What is Digital Television?
Digital television (DTV) is a new way of transmitting high quality video and audio to
your TV set. Using DTV, broadcasters can transmit high definition TV (HDTV) images,
Dolby digital surround audio, and new services such as multicasting (transmitting more
than one program on the same TV channel) and datacasting (providing electronic pro-
gram guides and interactive television).
Several of these services can be combined into a single digital broadcast.
Digital Television Services
Digital Picture Quality
DTV programs are transmitted in two different formats. The first is Standard Definition
Television (SDTV) and the second is High Definition Television (HDTV).
SDTV
program formats include 480-line interlaced (480i) and 480-line progressive
(480p) video. 480i programs are essentially a digital version of our current analog TV
programs, while the 480p format offers improved image detail over 480i. Some 480p
programs are broadcast in widescreen and are comparable to progressive-scan DVD
movies in image quality.
HDTV
program formats include 1080-line interlaced (1080i) and 720-line progressive
(720p). Both HDTV formats are always broadcast in widescreen, and offer much higher
picture quality than SDTV.
Dolby Surround Sound
With DTV, you can listen to a variety of Dolby digital audio formats from Dolby
Surround 2.0 to Dolby Digital 5.1 surround, using your home audio system. Many
HDTV programs are now broadcast with DD 5.1 soundtracks.
Interactive Communications and Datacasting
DTV will allow you to interact with your television; choosing programs from a detailed
program guide, ordering products on-line while watching TV, and accessing ancillary
data about a program.