Recent government mandates have required all local over-the-air television broadcasts to be upgraded to high-definition. Cable companies have also upgraded their subscription packages to include HD content. To take advantage of these new over-the air broadcasts, however, an HDTV converter box is required. These are easy to obtain and install; all that's needed is a few cables, an antenna, and a basic understanding of how they work.
HDTV broadcasts
High-definition broadcasts differ from regular, standard-definition broadcasts in that they contain more information. Specifically, they use a higher resolution format. This means there are more lines of information both horizontally and vertically, making the picture look sharper and more vivid. HD content looks excellent on larger, HD-ready television sets but can also look great on smaller, non-HD sets with the right converter box.
Types of converter boxes
The recent requirement by the FCC for all major TV networks to broadcast their signals in HD created a high demand for converter boxes. Because most older televisions do not support HD's higher resolution, these boxes sold out quickly to those with older TVs. If you don't need cable and just want to enjoy over-the-air broadcasts, these boxes are still readily available for a fairly low price at your local video or electronics shop. All you need is the converter box and an extra coaxial cable.
As an alternative, sign up for cable service. Local cable companies still offer a variety of packages in standard and high-definition, so you don't have to pay extra for channels you don't need. Upon installation, you'll receive a converter box that you rent from the cable company. The upside to these boxes is their compatibility with higher-quality video connection types, like s-video, component and HDMI.
Making it work
Once you have your converter in place, hook it up to the incoming antenna or cable signal. This is accomplished with a standard coaxial cable with a screw-in RF termination. Screw it in tightly to the RF input on the back of the converter box. The output signal to your TV can also consist of the same coaxial cable. Plug this into the RF or antenna input jack on the back of your TV. Depending on the type of box and your television, you can use higher-quality connections like composite video or S-video for improved picture quality. If you have a HD-compatible TV, use HDMI or component video connections to view HD content. Newer audio receivers can take advantage of digital audio connections, so use these when available. Each of these connection types require a different cable, all available at your local electronics store.
Tags: coaxial cable, these boxes, connection types, converter boxes, higher resolution, take advantage