HDTV or High Definition Television offers many benefits over traditional analog television. The FCC is pushing broadcasters, electronic manufacturers, and consumers to switch in 2006. Are you ready to join the experience?

HDTV Highlights

HGTV has excellent digital superiority.
Crisp Detail.
Progressive scanning.
Digital audio.
Wider viewing area.
Best quality DVD playback.

HDTV Then and Now

In 1987, the FCC issued a ruling indicating that all analog televisions would become obsolete in 2006, therefore bring the idea of HDTV to the forefront. HDTV was to become the wave of the future setting the tracks we are arriving on in 2006.

The Japanese had already developed a successful high definition television and the US was anxious to catch up.
Thus the Americans formed the "Grand Alliance", and inventing digital HDTV.
In 1990, the FCC announced that HDTV would be broadcast at the same time as NTSC broadcasting service.
Hoping to give broadcasters additional channel space for digital and analog, the old channels would then become obsolete. To make this work all TVs had to become digital, unless you purchased a converter box.
Converter boxes cost about $100, so they are not cheap.
As more televisions change over and converters are purchased costs are creeping down.
HDTV Benefits

There is no doubt that many are impressed with HDTV; here are some of the benefits you get with HDTV;

Better picture resolution.
No snow from weak signals, double images caused by ghosting or picture sparkles caused by impulse noise.
Surround sound is said to be the ultimate in viewing experience.
Wide screen view is similar to a movie theatre.
No part of viewing area cut off at top or button on HDTV, which is common on analog sets.

HDTV Availability

As popularity increases so will the access to HDTV broadcasts. There are currently about 40 channel networks that broadcast in high definition. Some of the channels are movie networks like HBO and Showtime, and sports like ESPN. Japan, Australia, and South Korea are all leaders in bring high definition television to consumers. In Europe, HDTV is just beginning. Some networks are offering set blocks of time to offer HDTV. Professional sports are the most common things broadcast in HDTV.

Getting Started With HDTV

In order to get HDTV you must first purchase and HDTV ready or HDTV capable television. There are several to choose from, such as;

Rear projection
Plasma
LCD
Television with a HDTV tuner and converter box. The cost for the converter is dropping quickly

Go Forward With HDTV and Enjoy!

The last and most important step of HDTV is to sit down and watch a broadcast in HDTV!!