Welcome to Plasma TV Buying Guide Please Support our Sponsors:
plasma tv, plasma display, plasma monitor
plasma tv plasma tv reviews Plasma TV Information Plasma TV Buying Tips Top 10 Plasma TVs

DTV and HDTV Comparison Chart

Digital television, or DTV, is the new industry standard for broadcasting picture and sound using digital signals, allowing for dramatic improvements in both picture and sound quality vs. conventional NTSC analog programming. DTV programming can be delivered in either of two basic formats: standard analog definition (SDTV) or high definition (HDTV).


DTV Format Comparison
Transmission Type
Analog Digital Digital Digital Digital
  NTSC Standard Definition Standard Definition High Definition High Definition
Maximum Resolution 480i 480i 480p 720p 1080i
Aspect Ratio 4:3 4:3 4:3 or 16:9 16:9 16:9
Channel Capacity 1 5-6 5-6 1-2 1
Description Standard TV as we know it today Good Picture and Sound —DVD or DBS Quality Better, depending on source; can be outstanding Best Possible Best Possible


HDTV is the highest form of digital television, delivering up to 1,080 interlaced scan lines. HDTV produces images that far surpass any you've ever seen in a home environment! SDTV, or Standard Definition, also represents a dramatic improvement over today's TV, with the added benefit of allowing stations to broadcast multiple programs within the same bandwidth as an HDTV signal.


DTV Format Detail
Scan Lines
Scan Rate Pixelization Frame Rate Aspect Ratio Formats
SDTV

525 total
480 active

15.75 kHz (60i) 480 x 640 24p, 30p, 60p or 60i fps 4:3 4
525 total
480 active
31.5 kHz (60p) 480 x 704 24p, 30p, 60p or 60i fps 4:3 or 16:9 8 (4x2)
HDTV 750 total
720 active

45 kHz
(60p)

720 x 1080 24p, 30p, 60p 16:9 3
1125 total
1080 active
33.75 kHz
(60i)
1080 x 1920 24p, 30p, 60i 16:9 3


For a more information please visit the excellent HDTV Info Guide for everything you need to know before you shop for a High Definition TV.

  Return to the Buying Guide FAQ Index




plasma tv reviews

Plasma TV Buying Guide Home
How To Buy A Plasma TV in 10 Easy Steps
How To Buy A LCD Television in 8 easy steps

Plasma TV Buying Guide Home Plasma TV Dealer Reviews Plasma, LCD TV and DLP TV Reviews




Please Support our Sponsors: