The so-called „set-top box“ for digital television receives and decodes digital transmissions in a form suitable for displaying on an analogue set. Analogue TV sets cannot display digital transmissions on their screens without a „set-top box“ converter/decoder.
- HD TV and HD Ready – these labels allow the consumers to quickly and without difficulty identify receivers, decoders, and other equipment that enables the broadcasting and displaying of high definition signal. The labels have been assigned by the EICTA (European Information, Communications and Consumer Electronics Technology Industry Association) on the basis of functionality requirements (minimal compulsory) for television sets and equipment for the broadcasting of digital signal and present an extensive set of technical rules that the manufacturers had to meet before the labels were placed on the equipment. The labels indicate image and sound of the highest quality, but also compatibility with other devices that bear this label.
The table presents labels that can assist you in purchasing an adequate DTV receiver:
HD Ready
The label „HD ready“ does not imply the displaying of full image resolution of HDTV transmitters (1080 p; often labeled as „full HD“). The majority of “HD ready” receivers have a matrix of the TV screen that does not have sufficient resolution for the displaying of 1080p signal. The result is an interpolation of the image into a smaller resolution that the device can display. The devices with the sign „HD Ready“ can display an image with a resolution of 720p and 1080i.
The label “ready” refers to equipment that does not have an integrated set-top box or digital converter required for the broadcasting of digital signal.
HDTV
A label for television sets including set-top boxes and integrated digital TVs. It means that it can receive and decode HD (720p, 1080i) from satellite, cable, or terrestrial broadcasting.
HDTV logo signifies that the television set is not only ready for the HD signal, but that it has an integrated digital receiver and does not require an additional set-top box.
The new logo sign refers to HD receivers, combined devices, such as digital video recorders (DVRs) that have an integrated digital receiver.
HD ready 1080p
A label for devices (including IDTV – integrated digital televisions, monitors, projectors) that, along with the 720p and 1080i definition, transfer and display 1080p high definition signals. Devices marked with the “HD Ready” label are used together with the “HDTV” devices that enable high definition viewing. A device with the label “HD ready 1080p” enables a definition of 1920 x 1080, but it is necessary that it be connected to “HDTV” devices in order to receive and decode the signal.
HD TV 1080p Logo
Intended for “HD ready 1080p” devices that receive and decode HD (720p, 1080) signal using satellite, cable, and terrestrial diffusion. Indicates a resolution of 1920 x 1080.
- IDTV is a television set that contains all the components required to receive and display digital transmissions. An Integrated Digital Television receiver will generally differ due to its widescreen format, high-level audio capability, and a high resolution display. These sets will not require an external decoder or a „set-top box“.
- A Standard Definition Television or standard television (SDTV) is a digital television that, compared to the existing analogue service, has a much better reception capability.
- A High Definition Television is a premium version of digital television offering the quality of image and sound that is much better than that of present analogue television. Actually, the quality of image and sound is much closer to the quality of cinematographic production than what we are accustomed to with television.
The reason for that is that the digital signal offers twice the vertical and horizontal resolution of a traditional analogue (PAL) signal.
The higher resolution picture is particularly suited to large screen television displays.
This means that the advantages of HDTV are particularly noticeable on larger screen sets and when projection equipment is used. HDTV will be in a widescreen format and will provide cinema-quality viewing, along with the Dolby surround sound.
Compared to standard definition television (SDTV), a high definition television (HDTV) gives a sharper picture, because there are a larger number of picture elements (pixels) on the screen, making the picture sharper and more detailed.
However, the perception of „quality“, as experienced by the viewer, is, in addition to sharpness, effected by other factors as well, such as:
- The brightness and contrast of the screen
- The dolor rendition
- The type of material being viewed
- The screen size and the distance of the viewers from the screen
- Whether the picture is in normal (4:3) or widescreen (16:9) format
- The quality of accompanying sound, and
- Whether the reception is good.
- A digital signal transmits more data than an analogue signal, and this allows for more than one channel of television program to be simultaneously broadcast on the same frequency spectrum.
The viewers of digital television will have a wide selection of „enhancements“ in addition to the regular TV program. The enhancements are, for example, separate channels of video, data or audio that relate to the primary channel program. Sporting events will offer a selection of different camera angles, action replays, player profiles, or other information. Across a range of programming, the digital television viewers will be able to select more information relating to the regular program - information on products, recipes, news, and much more.
- Considering that the digital signal can carry much more data than an analogue signal, the broadcasters and other broadcasting license holders will have the possibility of providing the viewers with information services as an addition to regular program channels. This is known as datacasting. .
