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Last Updated: Thu, 09 Jun 2011 > Related Articles
This article addresses FAQs about HDTV including: picture quality, picture display, and common terms.
HDTV (high definition TV) is a TV display technology that provides a higher picture and sound quality than standard TV sets.
Roughly half of prime time TV programs of the major networks are available in the HDTV format (16:9). The other half are available in the standard-definition format (4:3). The aspect ratio of the content is controlled by the content providers; example: HBO and Showtime. You can access the providers website to see which programming is released in the HDTV format (16:9).
- When a standard-definition (4:3 aspect ratio) program is viewed on a HDTV (16:9 aspect ratio), the HDTV centers the image on the screen with black or gray bars on either side.
- When HDTV (16:9 aspect ratio) content is displayed on a standard-definition TV (4:3 aspect ratio), black bars will appear at the top and bottom of the screen.
Refer to your TV user guide for directions on removing the bars. If you have a Scientific Atlanta cable box, use the stretch and zoom HD settings to fill the TV screen area with the image.
- A TV is considered to have burn-in when the HDTV colors are not evenly displayed across the screen.
- To avoid burn-in, use the stretch and zoom HD settings to fill the TV screen area with the image. In some cases you can substitute gray bars for black bars to minimize burn in. You can also try turning your contrast down to 50 percent or lower.
- Burn in is usually not covered under warranty, and ONLY affects the following TV displays:
- Direct-view CRT
- Plasma flat-panel
- CRT-based rear projection
The 4:3 aspect ratio is the shape of the standard TV monitor (square).
The 16:9 aspect ratio is the shape of most HDTV monitors (rectangular). HDTVs have been manufactured in both 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios.
Widescreen is a term used for the 16:9 aspect ratio which is larger than the standard definition TV screen.
- 1080p is the shorthand identification for a category of HDTV video modes. The number 1080 represents 1,080 lines of vertical resolution (1,080 horizontal scan lines), while the letter p stands for progressive scan (meaning the image is not interlaced). The term usually assumes a widescreen aspect ratio of 16:9, implying a horizontal resolution of 1920 pixels.
- 1080i is a (HDTV) video mode. The term usually assumes a widescreen aspect ratio of 16:9, implying a horizontal resolution of 1920 pixels and a frame resolution of 1920×1080 or about 2.07 million pixels.
- 720p is the shorthand name for a category of HDTV video modes. The number 720 stands for the 720 horizontal scan lines of display resolution (also known as 720 pixels of vertical resolution), while the letter p stands for progressive scan or non-interlaced.
- 720 or 1080 lines of resolution from both the channel broadcast and the HDTV monitor (Note: A 480i DVD is not high definition, even though the image quality is considerably higher than a standard definition TV broadcast on a standard definition TV.)
- Ability to display 16x9 aspect ratio pictures
- Y Pb Pr video component connections from the cable receiver to the HDTV
- Audio in the Dolby Digital (AC-3) format to support "5.1" surround sound
Most HDTV monitors can display an SDTV (480i) signal. If "sidebars" appear, you can press the SETTINGS button on the remote control twice to access the HDTV settings. Then select the 480i Stretch setting, which will stretch the 4:3 program to fill the entire screen area.