Need info on digital tv please! (1 Viewer)

[markMGB]

I was just browsing the forums and realised that in Feb. 2009, all tv signals will be digital. I currently use a satelite with Bell Expressvue which says that all their programming is digital. Does the new standard taking effect in 2 years only apply to cable tv and basic antenna tv, or does it mean that all the TV i will be watching will be broadcast in 16:9 (either 720 or 1080, or whatever else we reach by then) with HD quality video and audio? I was just curious how this would affect me, seing as how I am already supposed to be getting digital TV across all my channels. Anyone care to shed some light on the matter?

Thanks in advance!

Mark

 

[Ed Moxley]

You shouldn't need to worry. If you're already getting sat or digital cable, you're good. If you're just getting local channels, over the air, you'll need a set top converter box, or new tv (if it's an older tv).

HD is digital, but digital isn't necessarily HD. By Feb. 2009, everyone is supposed to broadcast a digital signal. Not an HD signal. There should be much more HD available by then though.

 

[ChristopherDAC]

The digital signal requirement applies to over-the-air broadcast television. The analog NTSC signal (AM video and FM audio) which has served us so well for going on 70 years, is being withdrawn, and only the recently-introduced ATSC digital signal (MPEG-2 video and AC-3 audio with 8-VSB modulation) will remain.

This is of interest to those of us who get our television with an antenna. Cable and satellite will be largely unaffected.