Digital Television 101

Digital Television 101:
Your First Step into the Future of Television

Probably the most common question about digital television is "What is it?" followed closely by "Why should I care?".

First things first. Digital Television is a new broadcasting format that allows us to broadcast a much better picture. In the 1950's, studios got together and came up the current format (NTSC). Unfortunately, they had to make a lot of compromises to make it work with existing technology.

The exciting thing about DTV is that it allows us to take advantage of advances not only in how much data we can send, but also in how we create the signal.

If you watch a full HDTV signal (or an up-converted standard signal), the first thing you'll probably notice is that the screen is wider. A HDTV signal will be about 1/3 wider than what you're used to watching. The image will also be a lot crisper and colors will seem a lot more vivid. If you're watching a show designed to take advantage of HDTV, the difference is amazing. Since this isn't a commercial for Public Television, sports on DTV is a whole new ballgame (I'm sorry for that).

Since this is a 101 page, I won't go into the mechanics other than to give you the good news and the bad news. The bad news is that to receive a DTV signal you need to buy a DTV receiver, which will run from $300-$500. The good news is that you probably don't need a new set. Here's why:

The DTV receiver can work with your existing television set, if you've got the right plugs for input on the TV set. The picture on your old TV set will likely be clearer than what you have now. A new TV display (TV set) that is "DTV ready" or "HD" will give you the really outstanding clarity I was talking about earlier, but you will likely see a difference even on the old set you already have.

A "DTV capable" television, so far, does not include the DTV receiver. This is a separate piece of equipment. The FCC has instructed TV manufacturers that beginning with sets sold in 2004, these sets must include a DTV receiver. But this FCC edict is being challenged in court by the CEA.

Maybe you're thinking to yourself "OK, sounds kind of interesting, but for $300-500 for a new receiver, maybe I'll sit this one out." This brings us to the next topic of:

Well, the short answer is: because the government says so. TV makers said, "DTV is great, but why should we make TV sets, when there's nothing to watch yet?" People who produce TV shows (like Wyoming PBS) said, "Why should we create these expensive shows if no one's watching them." (aka Which came first, the chicken or the egg?)

Enter the FCC (Federal Communications Commission). The FCC has ordered that analog signals be suspended on February 17, 2009. After that date, you will no longer be able to receive analog broadcasts. For more information on this subject, and how to continue receiving our signal, please visit our Digital TV Frequently Asked Questions.