Understanding HDTV

High-definition television combines high-resolution digital television with digital sound. It is bigger, sharper, and better than anything you have previously experienced in home entertainment.

If you’re new to the world of HDTV, here are a few basic terms and concepts to help you get the most out of the experience.

HDTV Receiver. An HDTV receiver decodes high-definition video signals for display on your TV. The TiVo DVR combines an HDTV receiver with a digital video recorder. It also receives ATSC (digital) and NTSC (standard) antenna signals.

High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI). HDMI is an uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface for electronic devices. HDMI improves on DVI in that it sends both high- definition video and digital audio signals through a single cable.

Digital Visual Interface (DVI). DVI describes a type of video connection found on many HDTVs. DVI allows a true digital connection for video signals and other digital information. To connect the TiVo DVR to a TV’s DVI jack, you’ll need an HDMI-to-DVI adapter or HDMI-to-DVI cable (sold separately).

Dolby® Digital Audio. Programs broadcast with Dolby Digital audio have six audio channels, each of which can be heard on one of six separate speakers. To hear Dolby Digital audio, use an optical digital audio cable (sold separately) or the HDMI cable (supplied) to connect your TiVo DVR to an A/V receiver or home theater system that supports Dolby Digital audio.

Aspect Ratio. A TV’s aspect ratio is the comparison of the screen’s width to its height: either the standard 4:3 screen or 16:9 widescreen. For more about this setting, see page 57.

Aspect Correction. Aspect correction is required when the aspect ratio of the broadcast picture and the screen size of the TV don’t

match. The ASPECT button on the DVR remote lets you quickly change how a picture is displayed while watching TV.

Aspect correction offers three modes to fit the broadcast picture to your TV screen: Full stretches the picture, Panel adds letterbox or side bars to the picture, and Zoom expands and crops the picture, eliminating bars that may be in the broadcast. For tips on using Aspect Correction, see page page 56.

Video Formats

TV programs are broadcast in a variety of video formats. The TiVo DVR can display video on your TV in exactly the same format as it’s broadcast, or it can convert the video format to suit your TV.

Video Output Format. Choose the Video Output Format you want the TiVo DVR to use based on the formats your TV can display. Check your TV’s owner’s manual to be sure. Then go to the TiVo Central® screen and select Messages & Settings, then Settings, then Video, then Video Output Format.

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TiVo SDOC-00091-002 manual Understanding Hdtv, Video Formats