Frequently Asked Questions

What is digital TV (DTV)?

Digital television (or “DTV”) refers to the new over-the-air television broadcast standards adopted by the Federal Communications Commission in 1996. Developed by the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC), a group of manufacturing companies, these standards define the specifications for 18 digital broadcast formats.

There are six formats in the ATSC DTV standard that are described as “High Definition Television.” The remaining 12 video formats are described as “Standard Definition Television.”

Although the technical aspects of these standards are transparent to television viewers, the benefits are as dramatic as those experienced when digital music on compact disc was introduced—probably even more so.

Your Sony DTV is capable of receiving all 18 formats of digital TV formats, which includes high-definition.

What are the benefits of DTV?

For the television viewer, digital TV represents one of the most significant advances in television since color television replaced black and white. Here are just a few of the benefits:

Dramatically superior picture quality, with up to six times the picture detail of today’s analog television.

Multichannel digital sound, including Dolby Digital sound.

Widescreen. DTV can provide the same type of widescreen presentation you see in movie theaters. The new screen size has a 16:9 width- to-height (or “aspect”) ratio, compared to the 4:3 aspect ratio of today’s conventional television. This means that digital broadcasts of movies can be shown in their original format, and no longer need to be “reformatted” for television.

Do I need a special antenna to receive digital television?

No. Initially, digital television will arrive through a standard, over-the-air VHF/UHF antenna, which means you can receive digital broadcasts using the same terrestrial (“rooftop”) antenna you currently use to receive conventional programming. However, if you currently receive your VHF/UHF programming via cable, you will need to install a VHF/UHF antenna in order to receive digital programming.

Can this projection TV receive conventional analog broadcasts that are available today?

Yes. This projection TV is designed to receive conventional analog broadcasts, cable TV, as well as all formats of digital broadcasts. Of course, you can also connect VCRs, DVD players, digital broadcast (satellite) receivers, and other audio/video components.

When is digital broadcasting being introduced?

The transition from today’s analog broadcasting system to digital television will take time to complete. In the fall of 1998, some networks began broadcasting digital programs.

How can I select digital channels?

Digital channels are indicated by the use of a decimal or “dot” in the subchannel number (for example, “2.1”). This number appears when you press the CH +/– buttons or press the DISPLAY button.

Before selecting a digital channel, press DTV ANT on the remote control so that the TV FUNCTION indicator on the remote control lights up in green. To select a subchannel directly, use the 0–9 buttons, • (dot) button, and the ENTER button.

For example, to select subchannel 2.1

DTV ANT

Lights up in

 

FUNCTION

TV green.

 

ENTER

2 1

You can also select digital channels using an on- screen guide. See page 31 for details.

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