Difference between revisions of "Digital television"
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==Mandated switch to digital== | ==Mandated switch to digital== | ||
| − | In the [[United States]], Congress has mandated a switch to digital television as of | + | In the [[United States]], Congress has mandated a switch to digital television as of June 12, 2009. As of that date, traditional analog television broadcasting will cease, except for some low-powered stations and translators.<ref>http://www.dtv.gov/</ref> |
==Sub-channels== | ==Sub-channels== | ||
Revision as of 22:01, February 12, 2009
Digital television (DTV) is a new technology for transmitting and receiving broadcast television signals. The digital television format is also known as ATSC (which is actually the name of the agency responsible for developing digital television standards, the Advanced Television Systems Committee; the conventional North American analog TV format is NTSC, for National Television Systems Committee).
DTV provides clearer resolution and improved sound quality, albeit a somewhat shorter signal range. Older televisions which receive only NTSC (analog) signals will need a digital converter box to receive over the air digital television signals. These converter boxes will work with existing antennas.
Mandated switch to digital
In the United States, Congress has mandated a switch to digital television as of June 12, 2009. As of that date, traditional analog television broadcasting will cease, except for some low-powered stations and translators.[1]
Sub-channels
Digital television allows for sub-channels in addition to the main channel. For example, on the ION television network (formerly PAX television network), the digital signal from their broadcast stations includes the main channel, the Qubo cartoon channel, ION Life (a lifestyle, food, and exercise channel), and the Worship Channel. Thus, the digital broadcast signal from the local ION affiliate carries four channels instead of one. Other stations are doing likewise and carrying additional sub-channels, such as weather-only and movie-only programming, making the availablity and quality of digital television programming available free over the air potentially comparable to that of cable television.
