FAQs About Digital and High Definition Television
• What is Digital TV?
WBRZ-DT (DTV) is clearer pictures, better sound, more programming and more viewing excitement than traditional analog television. DTV offers a picture free of "ghosts," "snow" or interference. The crisper, sharper image is due to the increased number of pixels the digital signal puts on the screen - the higher the number, the sharper the picture - and High-definition Television (high definition TV) has the highest resolution available. Furthermore, high definition TV has CD-quality surround sound, adding to the ultimate home theater experience. DTV also enables broadcasters to multicast, bringing viewers multiple channels of over-the-air programming simultaneously in a Standard-definition Television (standard definition TV) format.
• Why is Digital TV better than "regular" analog TV?
WBRZ-DT brings viewers five times the picture resolution and clarity of analog TV, making viewers feel like they are right in the middle of the action on their screens. DTV uses binary code, the same system of ones and zeros that runs on computers and digitally recorded compact discs. Switching TV broadcasts to digital is like switching from cassette tape to compact disc or from a VHS tape to a DVD - the pictures are clearer, and sound is improved, giving viewers the opportunity to experience their favorite programs on a whole new level. In addition, with a 16:9 aspect ratio compared to today's 4:3 aspect ratio of analog television, DTV lets viewers see wide screen images.
• Will consumers have to pay to receive Digital TV broadcasts?
No. Unlike digital cable where consumers pay monthly fees for services, WBRZ-DT provides high quality programming with over-the-air broadcasting.
• What about my existing analog TV?
Until the total conversion to DTV is made, WBRZ will generally simulcast the same programs on two different channels - WBRZ-DT in a digital format and WBRZ Channel 2 in analog. Viewers with analog sets will be able to convert a digital signal to an analog signal by hooking up a digital tuner decoder box to their sets; however, they will not be able to experience the crystal clear pictures and sound quality that an high definition TV set provides, nor will they experience the advantages of data-casting or Interactive-television.
• What are the different signals that viewers will see on a DTV?
WBRZ-DT has the flexibility to bring viewers programming on different types of digital signals - ranging from high-definition to standard-definition- DTV signals have better resolution than analog TV, which has been in use for more than 50 years. High-definition digital signals also have five times the resolution than that of analog. With DTV, WBRZ-DT can send various signals to consumers, including:
High-definition Television (high definition TV) - An high definition TV signal allows WBRZ-DT to transmit a wide-screen picture with many times more detail than is contained in current analog TV pictures. high definition TV brings viewers programming so crisp and clear, it produces an image as sharp as reality. In addition, high definition TV offers unsurpassed audio quality.
Standard-definition Television (standard definition TV) - An standard definition TV signal is another type of signal that viewers experience through DTV. While standard definition TV signals eliminate ghosting and snow, they are particularly remarkable because they occupy less space on the allocated spectrum than high-definition signals and bring viewers multiple channels of free, over-the-air programming from the same station.
In effect, one Digital Television signal has the ability to carry either a program broadcast in high definition TV, and in some cases one additional standard definition signal, or several programs broadcast simultaneously in Standard-definition Television. For example, rather than having only one WBRZ-DT channel, DTV creates the possibility of channels 2-1, 2-2 and 2-3 each carrying a different program.
• What should consumers look for-when shopping for a new TV set today?
When shopping for a new TV set, consumers today have many choices:
An integrated Digital TV set - This option allows viewers to receive analog and digital signals. An integrated set can project high-definition (high definition), or standard-definition (standard definition) signals. An high definition TV set has the highest resolution available and provides the ultimate home theater experience. An integrated DTV set provides consumers the most convenient, hassle-free way to experience Digital TV.
A Digital TV monitor and a separate digital tuner decoder box - This option allows consumers to upgrade to Digital TV when ready. If consumers choose to purchase only a Digital TV monitor, they will get a wide-screen format and improved picture. In order to receive an over-the-air signal with a Digital TV monitor, consumers must purchase a set-top decoder box. These boxes may be used with high definition, or standard definition monitors. An analog set - If consumers buy an analog set today, they will not receive any of the benefits of Digital TV, including the clearest pictures and sound ever available. Because an analog set does not have a digital tuner, consumers will have to purchase a digital tuner decoder box to watch Digital TV.
• Are the new DTV sets readily available?
Digital TV sets are available at both retail stores nationwide as well as online. Like CD players, computers and personal digital assistants, the prices for Digital TV sets continue to drop as the technology becomes more prominent. In fact, prices for Digital TV sets have decreased by 50 percent over the last two years and are available in stores today starting at under $2,000. Equally important, sales of DTV monitors and sets. According to the Consumer Electronics Association, manufacturer-to-retailer sales figures of DTV monitors and sets in October 2001 showed a 113 percent increase over - October of the previous year. October 2001 saw 87,464 DTV sets and monitors shipped from manufacturers to retailers. As of the end of October, 1,050,460 DTV units had been sold in 2001. CEA projects that 2.1 million Digital TV products will be sold in 2002, 5.4 million in 2004, 8 million in 2005 and 10.5 million in 2006.
• Do I need to convert to digital right away?
The Digital TV transition is happening now. More than 225 local stations in more than 75 markets are broadcasting a digital signal, ensuring that more than 70 percent of U.S. TV households live in a market with a digital signal.
• If I have digital cable, do I have Digital Television? If I buy a Digital TV, will it work with digital cable?
Digital cable is not the same as Digital Television. First, Digital TV can deliver picture quality superior to that of digital cable. Second, most cable companies do not yet carry broadcasters' digital signals. Digital cable refers only to how signals are transferred across cable. Moreover, because there are not yet universal inter-operability standards, a digital set that is plugged into a digital cable set-top box only will receive an analog signal, with-holding all the advantages of Digital Television from a consumer.
