HD - High Definition TV

What is HD TV?

High Definition refers to video (TV pictures) that has a resolution (the actual detail an image holds) far higher than traditional television systems.

HD has 1 or 2 million pixels (dots that make up a picture) which is up to five times that of SD.

Early HDTV broadcasting used analog techniques, but today, HDTV is digital broadcast using video compression.

It also gives you the facility of 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound

1. 576i SD (720 x 576 interlaced @ 50 & 60 Hz)
2. 720p HD (1280×720 progressive @50 & 60 Hz)
3. 1080i HD (1920×1080 interlaced @50 & 60 Hz)
4. 1080p HD (1920×1080 progressive @24, 50 & 60 Hz)

How do I get HD?

• You need an HD ready TV – that it is a television that screens programs in High Definition. There is usually a HD logo on the set.

• Connect the TV to a High Definition Source.

Freeview HD (free-to-air, through your aerial)

Only available in certain areas

• BBC ONE HD, BBC HD, ITV1 HD and CHANNEL 4 HD (channel 5 lost their license)

FREESAT (free-to-air, through a satellite dish)

• BBC HD, BBC ONE HD, ITV1 HD AND CHANNEL 4 HD

SKY (subscription needed, through a dish)

• Over 50 HD channels, including the above
• 5 sports channels, 10 movie channels, News channels, etc.

Virgin (subscription needed, via cable)

• 17 channels in total

Problems Post switchover

• Still having problems retuning equipment when told to pick up new channels
• Still a few people watching Welsh Television and when they retune, they pick Welsh TV again

BBC ONE HD

BBC HD has been available for the last few years showing the most popular programs including: Doctor Who?, Wimbledon, Strictly, but now they intend to produce more programs in HD.

Not all programs will be broadcast in HD, e.g. Eastenders will be broadcast for the first time on Christmas Day

Upscaling

Some programs will be upscaled, meaning the number of pixels will be doubled, but because the original content is in standard definition the picture quality will not be as good.
2012 will see everything broadcast in true HD.