What is the difference between “The Digital Transition and High Definition Television?

Question

Will we all have to eventually transition to HDT?

Answer 1

It doesn't have anything to do w/ HD.  It has to do w/ the broadcast signal which is, currently Analog and will become Digital.  If anything, it should increase your HD reception.

Answer 2

HDTV is digital TV, but NOT all Digital TV is (or will be HD).

Answer 3

Since late 1940's, the television signals you can receive by putting up an antenna have been analog. Same as radio signals. We are talking channels 2,3,4,5,... on an old television.

Most of these CHANNELS have digital versions which newer TV's can deal with.

A "Converter box" for about $75 allows older TV's to pick up the new digital channels from an antenna. The antenna connects to the box, the box feeds analog on channel 3 or 4 to the old TV.

Thats the "Digital Transition".

The 1940's television standard is 480 lines of video per screen. This was enough to fill a nine-inch screen. But to remain backwards compatible - this standard could never change.

About year 2000 - after years of testing, debating, the government helped define 2 more video standards: 720 and 1080.

These are called High Definition.  

If a TV station broadcasts these higher-definition signals, they are Digital.  (we are not going to repeat the mistakes of analog with year 2000 delivery).

Does this help?

You have around your home right now:

- Analog TV signals for channels 2,3,4,... (standard def)

- New digital TV signals for channels 2,3,4 (standard def)

- New HD digital signals for channels 2,3,4 (720)

The first one is going away in 2009 and the frequencies will be given to Police, Fire, and some cell phone use.