HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

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  • Jabisco
    MVP
    • Aug 2002
    • 1358

    #391
    Re: What is the difference between HDTV and EDTV

    </font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
    Recon said:
    which is better?

    <hr /></blockquote><font class="post">
    HD is better.
    Today I realized something. I'm a clown. A class clown... and it sickens me. - Bart Simpson (The Simpsons)

    Comment

    • 23
      yellow
      • Sep 2002
      • 66469

      #392
      Re: What is the difference between HDTV and EDTV

      Simply put, EDTV is twice as good as SDTV, and HDTV is better than EDTV. Let me explain why.

      Twice the scanning rate of SDTV

      The EDTV scanning rate is 31.5 KHz, exactly twice as powerful as NTSC. EDTV draws all 480 horizontal lines one after the other, rather than all the odd ones followed by all the even ones. The effect for the viewer is dramatic. The scanning lines aren't nearly as visible as they are with SDTV.

      The 480 consecutive lines are also drawn faster than with NTSC. Since the lines are all drawn at once, the total time to complete a frame is 1/60 of a second, twice as fast as NTSC. Since the frame is completed twice as fast as NTSC, it's actually generated twice in a row, allowing for better overall picture quality.


      While NTSC (SDTV) is called 480i, as mentioned above, EDTV is called 480p. The "p" stands for "progressive," since all 480 lines are scanned (drawn) one after the other, rather than odd and even numbers separately.

      Wider aspect ratio

      Some EDTVs are sold in the 4:3 aspect ratio, but there are also wide-screen models with the more cinematic 16:9 ratio. Be careful, though, because "wide-screen" TVs aren't automatically wider than their "narrow" screen competition. A wide-screen TV that is 30 inches wide is still smaller than an SDTV that is 50 inches wide. The aspect ratio may be wider on the EDTV, but the SDTV is still physically larger.


      Bottom line

      If you buy an EDTV, I suggest you get one that is 16:9. The reason is that programming is shifting more and more to 16:9 and away from 4:3. This even includes regular TV programs, not exclusively DVDs.



      HDTV
      This is the kind of TV that will bring you into the 21st century big time. HDTVs are generally 16:9, but there are a few oddballs that were made as 4:3 for some reason. Bypass the 4:3 HDTVs and go straight to the 16:9.

      HDTVs will scan at NTSC rates (15.75 KHz), EDTV rates (31.5 KHz), and even higher rates. This is because new high-definition TV signals require more scanning lines than either SDTV or EDTV.

      Different HDTV formats

      There are two basic "flavors" (formats or resolutions) of HDTV.


      1080i or 1920x1080
      1080i is an "interlaced" format (hence the "i"), so the horizontal lines (1,080 compared to 480 in SDTV and EDTV) are drawn in two sets: odd and then even. There are also 1,920 picture elements (pixels in the case of LCD flat-panel displays) in each line, as opposed to 720 for SDTV and EDTV. As a result, 1080i HDTV requires a much faster scanning rate.

      720p or 1280x720
      720p is a progressive-scan format, hence the "p." This means all 720 lines are drawn consecutively in 1/60 of a second. There are 1,280 pixels in each scanning line. Because so many lines have to be drawn so quickly, 720p is more difficult to achieve, and therefore is more expensive.
      Get what you paid for

      Many HDTVs will take an incoming 720p signal and "up-convert" (scale) it to the lower-quality 1080i format. Some TVs may even take an incoming 480i program and scale it to 1080i. When shopping for an HDTV, ask at what resolution programming is displayed on the models you are considering. It is very likely that all incoming programming is scaled to one particular format. The best HDTVs will show 720p as 720p, rather than scaling it to 1080i.

      Bottom line

      Higher resolutions, such as 720p and 1080i, offer much, much sharper pictures than SDTV or EDTV. Watching a TV of this quality is more like looking out a window than looking at a TV program. If you haven't seen an HDTV in action, be sure to get a demo before making a decision. My guess is that once you've watched an HDTV, you'll buy an HDTV.



      HD is much better!!

      Comment

      • 23
        yellow
        • Sep 2002
        • 66469

        #393
        Re: What is the difference between HDTV and EDTV

        Simply put, EDTV is twice as good as SDTV, and HDTV is better than EDTV. Let me explain why.

        Twice the scanning rate of SDTV

        The EDTV scanning rate is 31.5 KHz, exactly twice as powerful as NTSC. EDTV draws all 480 horizontal lines one after the other, rather than all the odd ones followed by all the even ones. The effect for the viewer is dramatic. The scanning lines aren't nearly as visible as they are with SDTV.

        The 480 consecutive lines are also drawn faster than with NTSC. Since the lines are all drawn at once, the total time to complete a frame is 1/60 of a second, twice as fast as NTSC. Since the frame is completed twice as fast as NTSC, it's actually generated twice in a row, allowing for better overall picture quality.


        While NTSC (SDTV) is called 480i, as mentioned above, EDTV is called 480p. The "p" stands for "progressive," since all 480 lines are scanned (drawn) one after the other, rather than odd and even numbers separately.

        Wider aspect ratio

        Some EDTVs are sold in the 4:3 aspect ratio, but there are also wide-screen models with the more cinematic 16:9 ratio. Be careful, though, because "wide-screen" TVs aren't automatically wider than their "narrow" screen competition. A wide-screen TV that is 30 inches wide is still smaller than an SDTV that is 50 inches wide. The aspect ratio may be wider on the EDTV, but the SDTV is still physically larger.


        Bottom line

        If you buy an EDTV, I suggest you get one that is 16:9. The reason is that programming is shifting more and more to 16:9 and away from 4:3. This even includes regular TV programs, not exclusively DVDs.



        HDTV
        This is the kind of TV that will bring you into the 21st century big time. HDTVs are generally 16:9, but there are a few oddballs that were made as 4:3 for some reason. Bypass the 4:3 HDTVs and go straight to the 16:9.

        HDTVs will scan at NTSC rates (15.75 KHz), EDTV rates (31.5 KHz), and even higher rates. This is because new high-definition TV signals require more scanning lines than either SDTV or EDTV.

        Different HDTV formats

        There are two basic "flavors" (formats or resolutions) of HDTV.


        1080i or 1920x1080
        1080i is an "interlaced" format (hence the "i"), so the horizontal lines (1,080 compared to 480 in SDTV and EDTV) are drawn in two sets: odd and then even. There are also 1,920 picture elements (pixels in the case of LCD flat-panel displays) in each line, as opposed to 720 for SDTV and EDTV. As a result, 1080i HDTV requires a much faster scanning rate.

        720p or 1280x720
        720p is a progressive-scan format, hence the "p." This means all 720 lines are drawn consecutively in 1/60 of a second. There are 1,280 pixels in each scanning line. Because so many lines have to be drawn so quickly, 720p is more difficult to achieve, and therefore is more expensive.
        Get what you paid for

        Many HDTVs will take an incoming 720p signal and "up-convert" (scale) it to the lower-quality 1080i format. Some TVs may even take an incoming 480i program and scale it to 1080i. When shopping for an HDTV, ask at what resolution programming is displayed on the models you are considering. It is very likely that all incoming programming is scaled to one particular format. The best HDTVs will show 720p as 720p, rather than scaling it to 1080i.

        Bottom line

        Higher resolutions, such as 720p and 1080i, offer much, much sharper pictures than SDTV or EDTV. Watching a TV of this quality is more like looking out a window than looking at a TV program. If you haven't seen an HDTV in action, be sure to get a demo before making a decision. My guess is that once you've watched an HDTV, you'll buy an HDTV.



        HD is much better!!

        Comment

        • 23
          yellow
          • Sep 2002
          • 66469

          #394
          Re: What is the difference between HDTV and EDTV

          Simply put, EDTV is twice as good as SDTV, and HDTV is better than EDTV. Let me explain why.

          Twice the scanning rate of SDTV

          The EDTV scanning rate is 31.5 KHz, exactly twice as powerful as NTSC. EDTV draws all 480 horizontal lines one after the other, rather than all the odd ones followed by all the even ones. The effect for the viewer is dramatic. The scanning lines aren't nearly as visible as they are with SDTV.

          The 480 consecutive lines are also drawn faster than with NTSC. Since the lines are all drawn at once, the total time to complete a frame is 1/60 of a second, twice as fast as NTSC. Since the frame is completed twice as fast as NTSC, it's actually generated twice in a row, allowing for better overall picture quality.


          While NTSC (SDTV) is called 480i, as mentioned above, EDTV is called 480p. The "p" stands for "progressive," since all 480 lines are scanned (drawn) one after the other, rather than odd and even numbers separately.

          Wider aspect ratio

          Some EDTVs are sold in the 4:3 aspect ratio, but there are also wide-screen models with the more cinematic 16:9 ratio. Be careful, though, because "wide-screen" TVs aren't automatically wider than their "narrow" screen competition. A wide-screen TV that is 30 inches wide is still smaller than an SDTV that is 50 inches wide. The aspect ratio may be wider on the EDTV, but the SDTV is still physically larger.


          Bottom line

          If you buy an EDTV, I suggest you get one that is 16:9. The reason is that programming is shifting more and more to 16:9 and away from 4:3. This even includes regular TV programs, not exclusively DVDs.



          HDTV
          This is the kind of TV that will bring you into the 21st century big time. HDTVs are generally 16:9, but there are a few oddballs that were made as 4:3 for some reason. Bypass the 4:3 HDTVs and go straight to the 16:9.

          HDTVs will scan at NTSC rates (15.75 KHz), EDTV rates (31.5 KHz), and even higher rates. This is because new high-definition TV signals require more scanning lines than either SDTV or EDTV.

          Different HDTV formats

          There are two basic "flavors" (formats or resolutions) of HDTV.


          1080i or 1920x1080
          1080i is an "interlaced" format (hence the "i"), so the horizontal lines (1,080 compared to 480 in SDTV and EDTV) are drawn in two sets: odd and then even. There are also 1,920 picture elements (pixels in the case of LCD flat-panel displays) in each line, as opposed to 720 for SDTV and EDTV. As a result, 1080i HDTV requires a much faster scanning rate.

          720p or 1280x720
          720p is a progressive-scan format, hence the "p." This means all 720 lines are drawn consecutively in 1/60 of a second. There are 1,280 pixels in each scanning line. Because so many lines have to be drawn so quickly, 720p is more difficult to achieve, and therefore is more expensive.
          Get what you paid for

          Many HDTVs will take an incoming 720p signal and "up-convert" (scale) it to the lower-quality 1080i format. Some TVs may even take an incoming 480i program and scale it to 1080i. When shopping for an HDTV, ask at what resolution programming is displayed on the models you are considering. It is very likely that all incoming programming is scaled to one particular format. The best HDTVs will show 720p as 720p, rather than scaling it to 1080i.

          Bottom line

          Higher resolutions, such as 720p and 1080i, offer much, much sharper pictures than SDTV or EDTV. Watching a TV of this quality is more like looking out a window than looking at a TV program. If you haven't seen an HDTV in action, be sure to get a demo before making a decision. My guess is that once you've watched an HDTV, you'll buy an HDTV.



          HD is much better!!

          Comment

          • 23
            yellow
            • Sep 2002
            • 66469

            #395
            Re: What is the difference between HDTV and EDTV

            Jabisco


            I'm hearing now, these 10 states that voom is offering their service for $399, and $250 after a $500 rebate they are sending through mailers and for some reason showing them proof you purchased a HDTV between 11/1/03-2/29/04 . Only in these states.
            CA
            NY
            IL
            MA
            MI
            NC
            TX
            OH
            VIRGINIA


            Be on the look-out and keep an eye open. For about 250 bucks, it may very well be worth it

            Comment

            • 23
              yellow
              • Sep 2002
              • 66469

              #396
              Re: What is the difference between HDTV and EDTV

              Jabisco


              I'm hearing now, these 10 states that voom is offering their service for $399, and $250 after a $500 rebate they are sending through mailers and for some reason showing them proof you purchased a HDTV between 11/1/03-2/29/04 . Only in these states.
              CA
              NY
              IL
              MA
              MI
              NC
              TX
              OH
              VIRGINIA


              Be on the look-out and keep an eye open. For about 250 bucks, it may very well be worth it

              Comment

              • 23
                yellow
                • Sep 2002
                • 66469

                #397
                Re: What is the difference between HDTV and EDTV

                Jabisco


                I'm hearing now, these 10 states that voom is offering their service for $399, and $250 after a $500 rebate they are sending through mailers and for some reason showing them proof you purchased a HDTV between 11/1/03-2/29/04 . Only in these states.
                CA
                NY
                IL
                MA
                MI
                NC
                TX
                OH
                VIRGINIA


                Be on the look-out and keep an eye open. For about 250 bucks, it may very well be worth it

                Comment

                • 23
                  yellow
                  • Sep 2002
                  • 66469

                  #398
                  Re: What is the difference between HDTV and EDTV

                  Something else you may be upset about Heelfan. I'm getting from a bunch of Directv customers that they were able to get their HD package from Directv for $99 by going through customer retention. I can't believe it is happening, and it's something they are not making public, but there seem to be alot of people getting this deal as of Jan 1.

                  Comment

                  • 23
                    yellow
                    • Sep 2002
                    • 66469

                    #399
                    Re: What is the difference between HDTV and EDTV

                    Something else you may be upset about Heelfan. I'm getting from a bunch of Directv customers that they were able to get their HD package from Directv for $99 by going through customer retention. I can't believe it is happening, and it's something they are not making public, but there seem to be alot of people getting this deal as of Jan 1.

                    Comment

                    • 23
                      yellow
                      • Sep 2002
                      • 66469

                      #400
                      Re: What is the difference between HDTV and EDTV

                      Something else you may be upset about Heelfan. I'm getting from a bunch of Directv customers that they were able to get their HD package from Directv for $99 by going through customer retention. I can't believe it is happening, and it's something they are not making public, but there seem to be alot of people getting this deal as of Jan 1.

                      Comment

                      • birdog
                        Rookie
                        • May 2003
                        • 145

                        #401
                        Re: What is the difference between HDTV and EDTV

                        i'm so proud of KDRE, he's now the HD-master, he may now know more than me, i'm jealous

                        Comment

                        • birdog
                          Rookie
                          • May 2003
                          • 145

                          #402
                          Re: What is the difference between HDTV and EDTV

                          i'm so proud of KDRE, he's now the HD-master, he may now know more than me, i'm jealous

                          Comment

                          • birdog
                            Rookie
                            • May 2003
                            • 145

                            #403
                            Re: What is the difference between HDTV and EDTV

                            i'm so proud of KDRE, he's now the HD-master, he may now know more than me, i'm jealous

                            Comment

                            • 23
                              yellow
                              • Sep 2002
                              • 66469

                              #404
                              Re: What is the difference between HDTV and EDTV

                              </font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
                              birdog said:
                              i'm so proud of KDRE, he's now the HD-master, he may now know more than me, i'm jealous

                              <hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

                              LOL, thanks birdog, but this thread wouldn't have survuved without you.

                              Many of those that got the high def from directv for $399 called and got a credit for at least $100 so maybe you should call the customer retention reps and see what they'll do for you. It won't hurt to try. I'm sold on this one, and the new HDTivo will be out soon too.

                              Comment

                              • 23
                                yellow
                                • Sep 2002
                                • 66469

                                #405
                                Re: What is the difference between HDTV and EDTV

                                </font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
                                birdog said:
                                i'm so proud of KDRE, he's now the HD-master, he may now know more than me, i'm jealous

                                <hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

                                LOL, thanks birdog, but this thread wouldn't have survuved without you.

                                Many of those that got the high def from directv for $399 called and got a credit for at least $100 so maybe you should call the customer retention reps and see what they'll do for you. It won't hurt to try. I'm sold on this one, and the new HDTivo will be out soon too.

                                Comment

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