- The television broadcasters will simultaneously broadcast both the analogue and the digital signal, allowing the users to receive the broadcasts using the existing analogue TV set. With the termination of the simultaneous transmission of the signal, an additional set-top box or converter of “digital into analogue signal” will enable the viewers to receive digital broadcast on the existing analogue set. The viewers using the digital set-top boxes will be able to use other features and services of digital TV, as well as additional program enhancements. The majority of the existing analogue sets have 4x3 screen format, thus, using a digital set top box with a 4x3 analogue television set may effect the way widescreen transmissions (shows intended for a widescreen format) are displayed. The full picture quality benefits and experience of digital television, including a high definition television (HDTV), will require a widescreen digital receiver that will have the capacity of both receiving and displaying the HDTV signal.
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A fully Integrated Digital Television or a Set-top box or decoder for the existing analogue televisions that will convert the digital signal into an analogue form. The viewers will be able to gain access to the majority of the enhanced features of the digital signal, including a clearer picture and an improved reception in densely populated areas.
With the addition of a set-box, an analogue television will either display the picture in the present 4:3 aspect ratio, or in a widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio with the addition of black bands above and below the image.
- Digital channels will be allotted in such a fashion that they minimize the price for the consumer. In the majority of cases, the existing antennas suitable for the reception of local analogue television services, if maintained in good condition and properly installed, will be an adequate replacement for the reception of digital television transmissions.
A set box for digital television receives and decodes digital transmissions in a form suitable for displaying on an analogue television sets or other display devices, such as computer monitors or projection screens. The analogue television set cannot display digital transmissions on their screens, unless connected to one such set top box, as is the digital set-top box converter.
- The capability of a digital set-top box will depend on its specification. A set-top box, when connected to an analogue television, will mostly give the viewers an improved signal, SDTV-equivalent picture quality, and multichannelling. Also, some set-top boxes may provide datacasting services, video, audio and data enhancements, as well as additional information for the viewers. Set-top boxes, which have the capacity of receiving and displaying an HDTV signal, will not be available initially. Set-top boxes may provide a picture output to either analogue or digital screen displays.
IDTV is a television set that contains all components necessary to receive and display digital transmissions. Integrated digital television receivers will generally differ due to their widescreen format, high-level audio capability, and high resolution displays. These sets will not require a digital set-top box.
