HIGH DEFINITION TV
What do SDTV and HDTV stand for?
SDTV stands for Standard Definition Television. It is the picture
quality that has been viewed since the inception of television.
HDTV stands for High Definition Television. It is a higher quality of
television that provides an extremely sharp and clear digital
picture.
What does it take for me to receive an HD picture on my TV?
There are four components to having an HD picture show up in
your home. If any one of these components does not meet the HD
format, then your picture will not be High Definition
1. The programming must be captured in an HD format. Whether
it’s live or filmed, there is specialized equipment needed for HD
programming.
2. The Network must be sending an HD signal to the TV provider
(IPTV, satellite, cable, etc.). For example, if TSN is not sending
an HD signal to your Max service, you won’t be watching an HD
quality picture.
3. Your TV service provider must send the customer an HD signal.
So if you don’t have the HDTV packages from Max, your
viewing will not be HD quality.
4. The customer must have the appropriate equipment in the
home. In order to receive and view an HD picture, you must
have an HD tuner and HD capable TV. Your Max HD/SD STB
has an HD tuner built into it; all you need to do is provide the
HDTV.
What are 4:3 and 16:9 televisions?
4:3 is the ratio between the width and height of a television
screen. For every 4” of width, there will be 3” of height. So for
example, if you have a 20” 4:3 TV, it will be 16” wide and 12” high.
SDTV’s are usually at a 4:3 ratio.
16:9 is the ratio between the width and height of a television
screen. For every 16” of width, there will be 9” of height. So for
example, if you have a 42” 16:9 TV, it will be approximately 36”
wide and 21 ½” high. Typically, HDTV’s are a 16:9 ratio.
If I’m watching SD programming on my HDTV, how will it
appear?
If a program is sent to your TV in an SD signal, it will appear in
Standard Definition with a 4:3 ratio picture. Because your HDTV is
a 16:9 ratio the will be additional black space on either side of the
picture. This effect is known as pillarboxing.
Commercials are stilled typically filmed in 4:3, so you’ll see this
pillarboxing during commercials, even if the program is in High
Definition.
If I’m watching HD content on Standard Definition TV, how
will it appear?
Because High Definition content is filmed in a 16:9 ratio and a
Standard Definition TV is 4:3, you’ll see black bars at the top and
bottom of the screen, to allow the entire width of the picture to
appear. This effect is known as letterboxing.
There is also some programming that is filmed at 14:9 or 15:9
ratio. This is a hybrid ratio that is used to minimize the effects to
both HD and SD viewing. Customers will see pillarboxing on an
HDTV and letterboxing on and SDTV, but it is minimal in both
views. This is done to accommodate both viewing options. So,
although the HD indicator is lit on the HD Set Top Box, customers
will still see some pillarboxing.
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