Browse Definitions :
Definition

HDTV (high definition television)

HDTV (high definition television) is a television display technology that provides picture quality similar to 35 mm. movies with sound quality similar to that of today's compact disc. Some television stations have begun transmitting HDTV broadcasts to users on a limited number of channels. HDTV generally uses digital rather than analog signal transmission. However, in Japan, the first analog HDTV program was broadcast on June 3, 1989. The first image to appear was the Statue of Liberty and the New York Harbor. It required a 20 Mhz channel, which is why analog HDTV broadcasting is not feasible in most countries.

HDTV and standard definition television (SDTV) are the two categories of display formats for digital television (DTV) transmissions, which are becoming the standard. HDTV provides a higher quality display with a vertical resolution display from 720p to 1080i. The p stands for progressive scanning, which means that each scan includes every line for a complete picture, and the i stands for interlaced scanning which means that each scan includes alternate lines for half a picture. These rates translate into a frame rate of up to 60 frames per second, twice that of conventional television. One of HDTV's most prominent features is its wider aspect ratio (the width to height ratio of the screen) of 16:9, a development based on research showing that the viewer's experience is enhanced by screens that are wider. HDTV pixel numbers range from one to two million, compared to SDTV's range of 300,000 to one million. New television sets will be either HDTV-capable or SDTV-capable, with receivers that can convert the signal to their native display format.

In terms of audio quality, HDTV receives, reproduces, and outputs Dolby Digital 5.1.

In the United States, the FCC has assigned broadcast channels for DTV transmissions. In SDTV formats, DTV makes it possible to use the designated channels for multiple signals at current quality levels instead of single signals at HDTV levels, which would allow more programming with the same bandwidth usage. Commercial and public broadcast stations are currently deciding exactly how they will implement their use of HDTV.

HDTV uses the MPEG-2 file format and compression standard.

This was last updated in April 2008

Continue Reading About HDTV (high definition television)

Networking
Security
  • PCI DSS 12 requirements

    The PCI DSS 12 requirements are a set of security controls businesses must implement to protect credit card data and comply with ...

  • cardholder data (CD)

    Cardholder data (CD) is any personally identifiable information (PII) associated with a person who has a credit or debit card.

  • PCI DSS merchant levels

    Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) merchant levels rank merchants based on their number of transactions per ...

CIO
  • systems thinking

    Systems thinking is a holistic approach to analysis that focuses on the way that a system's constituent parts interrelate and how...

  • crowdsourcing

    Crowdsourcing is the practice of turning to a body of people to obtain needed knowledge, goods or services.

  • synthetic data

    Synthetic data is information that's artificially manufactured rather than generated by real-world events.

HRSoftware
  • employee engagement

    Employee engagement is the emotional and professional connection an employee feels toward their organization, colleagues and work.

  • talent pool

    A talent pool is a database of job candidates who have the potential to meet an organization's immediate and long-term needs.

  • diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)

    Diversity, equity and inclusion is a term used to describe policies and programs that promote the representation and ...

Customer Experience
  • needs assessment

    A needs assessment is a systematic process that examines what criteria must be met in order to reach a desired outcome.

  • customer touchpoint

    A customer touchpoint is any direct or indirect contact a customer has with a brand.

  • customer service charter

    A customer service charter is a document that outlines how an organization promises to work with its customers along with ...

Close