HDTV vs SDTV

Be Prepared

You have several options for connecting your TV to entertainment devices.

 

The connection option you choose depends on the type of TV you have and

 

the entertainment devices you want to connect to your TV. For the best

 

results, read this section to learn more about HDTV and SDTV connection

 

options and screen resolutions before you begin to connect the 8000HD to

 

your entertainment devices.

What Are the

Differences

Between

Widescreen TVs

and Standard TVs?

What Are Screen Resolutions?

The widescreen TV is 1/3 wider than a standard TV. The widescreen TV aspect ratio is 16:9 (compared to 4:3 for SDTV).

HDTV uses a much finer screen resolution to create the TV picture— 1125 lines for HDTV compared to 525 lines for SDTV. This means that the screen resolution for HDTV can be up to 1920x1080 pixels, compared with 720x480 pixels for SDTV.

In the USA, HD programming is always broadcast with digital signals. SD programming is currently broadcast in both digital and analog. (However, HD programming and digital SD programming do not use the same digital signal.)

Generally, all HDTV-ready monitors or integrated HDTV sets are capable of supporting an SDTV 480i or 480p signal. Not all HDTV monitors support both 720p and 1080i HDTV signals. For instance, some plasma screens only support 720p.

You want to set up the 8000HD to provide your TV with the best picture size and format that your TV supports.

Your cable service provider broadcasts programming in SDTV or HDTV format. The screen resolution that your TV supports determines how the program will look on your TV screen.

For this reason, the 8000HD needs to know the screen resolution that is best for your TV. If the 8000HD is not set up to provide video in the proper screen resolution, you will see a black screen or a distorted picture when you turn on your TV.

The 8000HD provides video in the following screen resolutions.

SDTV Screen

• 480 lines, interlaced (480i)

Resolutions

• 480 lines, progressive (480p)

 

 

 

HDTV Screen

1080 lines, interlaced (1080i)

Resolutions

 

(This is the default setting for the 8000HD.)

 

720 lines, progressive (720p)

 

 

 

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