Digital TV is a broadcasting technology that delivers high quality picture and sound. As of June 12, 2009, all television broadcast in the United States is through the digital TV medium rather than the older analog technology. Digital TV provides many advantages over analog TV and is compatible with all newer television sets.
Why Switch?
Congress mandated the switch from over-the-air analog broadcasting to digital TV in order to free up the over-the-air broadcast spectrum. As TV broadcasts are no longer clogging up the broadcast spectrum, emergency communications, such as police and fire radio communications, primarily use these wave bands.
Multicasting
In addition to better picture and audio quality, digital broadcasts offer multicasting capabilities. Instead of just broadcasting one channel, as was the case with analog broadcasts, broadcasters can transmit multiple channels simultaneously. For example, a broadcaster may broadcast its main channel on channel 7, but it also simultaneously broadcasts different channels on channels 7-1, 7-2 and so on. This gives viewers more choice while still using the same amount of broadcast spectrum as traditional analog broadcasts.
Data Service
Digital broadcasts also open up the ability to broadcast streaming data. Broadcasts can stream information such as TV channel guides, live weather, traffic reports and other forms of data directly to a DTV through the digital TV standard. Channel guides have predominately been used by cable and satellite providers, but with digital TV everyone can have access to these convenient guides.
High Definition
Digital TV also has the added benefit of high definition broadcasts. High definition broadcasts feature superior picture quality, usually 720p or 1080i, as well as surround sound capabilities. With multicasting, broadcasters can broadcast a station in standard definition while simultaneously broadcasting a high definition option. Digital broadcasts also allow for EDTV, or Enhanced Definition TV, that runs at a resolution of 480p. EDTV is not quite HD, but the image is comparable and similar to the quality of a DVD. Since the broadcast is digital, no static, snow or ghosting occurs, as was common with analog signals.
Get Digital TV
To get digital TV, all you need is a digital TV capable television. Some televisions have internal TV tuners that allow for the reception of digital signals. Televisions made since the June 12, 2009, transition must have digital tuners and most HDTVs, regardless of date of manufacture, are digital TV capable. If you have an older set that is not digital compatible, you will need a digital converter box that you can get from your local cable company or electronics store.
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