The difference between digital TV and HDTV can be subtle, but are very important. You can receive a digital TV signal and yet not receive high definition television. By July of 2009, all U.S. television stations will broadcast in digital, so it's important to understand the distinction clearly.
Digital TV
Digital television signals are sent in a series of 1s and 0s, which takes up much less broadband space than older analog signals. "Digital TV" refers to the way in which these signals are sent.
High Definition TV
HDTV is by default a form of digital television. It takes advantage of digital's smaller bandwidth to pack a lot more information into the signal, thus rendering the onscreen images very sharp and clear.
HD Is Digital, But Digital Is Not Necessarily HD
While all HD signals are digital, digital signals can also be sent in standard definition (SD) or enhanced definition (ED). The TV images still show up in those formats, but not as clearly as they do in HD.
Requirements
Any TV equipped with a digital converter box or a proper cable/satellite box can receive digital signals. However, it takes a TV with high definition capacity to deliver an HD image as sharply and clearly as it is intended.
Not All Shows Are HD
Although all TV shows will be broadcast digitally by June, 2009, only some shows will be broadcast in HD (usually prime time network shows, upper end cable shows and sports broadcasts). The rest will be broadcast in standard definition.
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