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The Equipment You Need to Go to HDTV
HDTV provides excellent television picture and sound quality. Furthermore,
most broadcasters, after receiving a push from the FCC, are broadcasting
television shows in HDTV. But, to take advantage of this high-quality television
viewing and the program offerings, it is necessary to have the right equipment.
Programming Source
To get HDTV, it is first necessary to have a HDTV programming source. Satellite,
Broadcast, and Cable all provide HDTV programming. Most television stations
currently broadcast HDTV programming, thanks to FCC regulations. Furthermore,
the FCC has dictated that all stations will broadcast HDTV by the end of the
year 2006. Most satellite companies and the majority of cable companies also
currently offer HDTV programming, as well.
Before buying HDTV equipment, however, it is important to determine the HDTV
programming sources available in the area. This information is useful in
deciding just which route to go in order to receive HDTV programming, which, in
turn, can determine what equipment is necessary.
Programming Reception
HDTV programming can be received through a HD satellite box, a HD antenna, a HD
cable box, or a HD set-top-box. Which form of program receptor is needed depends
on the programming source. In order to receive local channels in HDTV, it might
be necessary to have a HD antenna. This is particularly true if local channels
are not available through the local satellite or cable provider. An indoor or
outdoor HD antenna may be used, depending on the individual situation and
geographic location.
If the local cable company provides HDTV programming, it might be a good route
to receive HDTV through a HD cable box. Usually, these boxes are provided by the
cable company and contain HDTV program receiving capabilities. Sometimes, an
extra fee might need to be paid to buy or rent a cable box that is capable of
receiving HDTV. If this is the case, it might be more cost effective to purchase
a separate HD set-top-box.
Dish Network and DirecTV satellite services both offer HDTV. Unfortunately,
these companies often don?t offer local channels, so it might be necessary to
still have a HD antenna to receive these channels.
Integrated HDTV System or HD-Upgradeable TV (also called HD-ready and
HD-compatible)
An integrated HDTV is a television that has a HDTV tuner built directly into the
television. One major advantage to purchasing an integrated HDTV is that it is
not necessary to spend extra money on a separate HDTV receiver. On the other
hand, satellite and cable services might still require the use of their separate
receiver in order to receive HDTV through their services. Furthermore, as
technology advances, the HDTV tuner in an integrated television can?t be easily
upgraded, as it can be with a separate HDTV box.
A HD-upgradeable television (or HD-ready or HD compatible) is fully capable of
receiving HDTV signals one the HD set-top-box is plugged in. This type of
television allows for flexibility in programming options. On the other hand, it
might be necessary to buy, lease, or rent a set-top-box from the store, the
cable company, or the satellite provider in order to receive HDTV programming.
Another perk to HD-upgradeable televisions is that many of the newer models are
now including special slots that allow cable television providers to insert
cable cards. Cable cards are special cards that enable the television to receive
cable television channels, which includes HDTV channels. Cable subscription fees
still apply, however, and the card needs to be removed if the television owner
moves or subscribes to a different cable service. Also, depending on the cable
provider, it might still be necessary to have a separate cable box in order to
record cable television channels with the DVD recorder or VCR.
Surround Sound Equipment
One of the other advantages of HDTV is the excellent sound it provides. Part of
the reason the sound is so much better than that achieved with an analog
television is because the sound, like the picture, is digital. This is much like
how the sound from a CD is much better than the sound from an audiocassette
tape.
In addition, many HDTV broadcasts are transmitted in Dolby 5.1 surround sound.
In order to reap the rewards of this extra perk, however, it is necessary to
have surround-sound equipment as part of the home entertainment package.
HDTV is an outstanding advancement in television technology. With a few
purchases, the consumer will be enjoying the clear pictures and sounds of HDTV
in no time.
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