Confused about the Digital Transition on 2/17/2009?
If you are confused about the February 17, 2009 digital television
transition? That's OK, many people are, and we're here to help!
On that date, most of the television signals in the United States will switch
to digital. Currently, most of these signals are analog. What does this mean for
you when the transition happens?
Well, if you are currently receiving your television via analog (which
usually means using an antenna),
you will lose the ability to view your TV shows. There's hope, however, as you
can get digital-to-analog converters, which will allow you to view these new
signals on your existing televisions. The federal government is offering
coupons, in the amount of $40, to offset the cost of these converter boxes
(limit two [2] per house hold). See the
National Telecommunications & Information Administration's website
for more information about this program.
(Please note that most all cable and satellite boxes are already compatible,
as are most all televisions purchased in the last six months, or so. If you're
not sure if your TV is ready for this transition, it should say something along
the lines of "DTV ready" or "digital ready".)
While Sound Insights is not part of the converter box program (we do want to
pass on the information, however), there is something else about which you
should be aware. It has to do with the formatting of the picture
that you'll be receiving.
Also, you should know that DTV is not the same thing as HDTV.
DTV is "digital television", which refers to the transmission method, whereas
HDTV is "high-definition television", which refers mostly to the quality
of the images and, in most cases, the formatting of the image. You see, most TV's display their images in a "standard" 4:3 format. This why
your TV's screen is almost square. HDTV is typically displayed in a 16:9 format,
which is why HDTV displays (as in plasma and LCD displays) are quite noticeably
rectangular. As you can see, there are significant differences between the
three, in terms of what you see (information displayed), or how it is displayed.
In image #1, you see a representation of what a full 16:9
high-definition would look like on a wide screen (plasma or LCD) screen.
In images #2 and #3, you see what can happen to the same 16:9 image, as
displayed on a traditional 4:3 screen.
In image #2, the image is displayed in its full height, but
some of the image is lost along the right- and left-hand side of the screen.
In image #3, the entire image is displayed, but it is
"letterboxed", which are those black bars on the top and bottom of the screen.
Also, you'll notice that, in order to make a 16:9 picture fully fit on a 4:3
screen, the actual image is much smaller than either a true 16:9 screen (image
#1) or a 4:3 screen with the sides chopped off (image #2).
It is our understanding that the digital converter boxes will
display high-definition images as you see in image #3. In a typical home,
this will mean that what you see on your TV will be much smaller -- perhaps too
small for comfortable viewing.
Finally, high-definition television is much, much clearer
than traditional television (which, in reality, is a very poor picture). Once
you see the difference, you'll never want to watch standard television again!
Here's a split picture that shows the different between standard definition and
high-definition. (Click on the image to view it full sized.)
This is where Sound Insights can help. Give us a call (772)
692-9550, or use the link at the bottom of the page, to find out how we
can set you up with a true 16:9 television that is fully DTV and HDTV ready.
We can also set you up with many other items to make your
home theater truly amazing, such as; surround sound (like DTS, Dolby Digital
5.1, or better), iPod integration, Blu-Ray DVD players, hard disc based digital
music servers, control systems to control everything using very simple remotes
and much, much more!
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