Samsung HL-S6186W Guide to Digital TV, Digital Television Services, What is Digital Television?

A Guide to Digital TV

•What is Digital Television?

Digital television (DTV) is a new way of transmitting high quality video and audio to your TV set. Using DTV, broadcasters can transmit high definition TV (HDTV) images, Dolby digital surround audio, and new services such as multicasting (transmitting more than one program on the same TV channel) and datacasting. Several of these services can be combined into a single digital broadcast.

Digital Television Services

•Digital Picture Quality

DTV programs are transmitted in two different formats. The first is Standard Definition Television (SDTV) and the second is High Definition Television (HDTV).

•SDTV program formats include 480-line interlaced (480i) and 480-line progressive (480p) video. 480i programs are essentially a digital version of our current analog TV programs, while the 480p format offers improved image detail over 480i. Some 480p programs are broadcast in widescreen and are comparable to progressive-scan DVD movies in image quality.

•HDTV program formats include 1080-line interlaced (1080i) and 720-line progressive (720p). Both HDTV formats are always broadcast in widescreen, and offer much higher picture quality than SDTV.

•Dolby Surround Sound

With DTV, you can listen to a variety of Dolby digital audio formats from Dolby Surround 2.0 to Dolby Digital 5.1 surround, using your home audio system. Many HDTV programs are now broadcast with DD 5.1 soundtracks.

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