74
About High-Definition
What is HD, and how does it diff er from regular TV? To learn more, here’s some helpful information
about high-defi nition and your DIRECTV HD Receiver.
Types of TV Broadcasts
Analog TV is the type of TV broadc ast you may be most familiar with. If you ge t your broadcasts via
a standard off -air antenna, it’s the type you receive, and most broadcasts from local c able companies
are analog as well.
Digital T V is a newer system for broadcasting T V signals delivering higher qual ity audio and video.
“ Digita l TV” refers to a television that ca n receive and d isplay digital images. Following a re terms you
might see used regardin g Digital TV broadcasts. A lthough your DIRECTV HD Rece iver is a “true”
HD receiver, the type of TV or monitor you plug it into (SD, ED, or HD) can aff ect the resolution of
the TV picture you see. See “Resolutions a nd Interlacing” on page 75, for an ex planation of di splay
resolutions.
4 SD (standard defi nition) is digital TV that off ers a picture quality that is better than older analog
televisions. SDTV displays images at a resolution of 480i.
4 ED (enhanced defi nition) is digital TV that can display a higher resolution picture than SDTV. An
EDTV can display at 480i or 480p.
4 HD ( high defi nition) is digital TV that can provide the highest quality picture, at resolutions
1080i, 720p, 480p, or 480i.
To get the
best-quality
TV picture, you
need an HD TV
to go with your
DIRECTV HD
Receiver.