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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.

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