HDTV FAQs
HD Service FAQs:
What is HDTV?
High-definition television is a high-resolution
digital wide-screen TV format. A high-definition TV signal has twice the color
resolution and imparts a picture that is six times sharper than that provided
by a traditional analog TV set. HDTV likewise provides enhanced audio, such as
Dolby Digital.
An image displayed on a TV screen is comprised of small, adjacent rectangles
known as "pixels." TV resolution refers to the number of horizontal
lines (comprised of pixels) that are displayed on the TV screen.
High-definition TVs have up to 1080 horizontal lines – more than twice as
many as an analog TV set. High-definition television also differs from
standard analog television in pixel size. The pixels in high-definition TV
screens are square, smaller and spaced more closely together than in an analog
TV set. Finally, high-definition TVs typically employ a 16:9 aspect ratio
(i.e., wide screen format), rather than the 4:3 aspect ratio utilized by
traditional analog TV sets. However, there are some HDTV's which only have a
4:3 screen. Even though high definition television comes in wide screen
format, not all wide screen broadcast is high definition. DVD's, for example,
can sometimes display in wide screen but the content is not necessarily
high-definition.
Is
Digital Cable the same thing as HDTV (HIGH DEFINITION TV)?
Cox HDTV refers to a type of digital cable that
is at a higher-resolution than Cox Digital Cable. In order to receive Cox
HDTV, a “HDTV-capable” television set and a Cox HDTV Decoder will be
required.
What
is the difference between the terms HDTV-READY,
HDTV CAPABLE and HDTV Integrated?
HDTV Ready or HDTV
Capable (the terms are used interchangeably) means that the HDTV set is
capable of delivering the HDTV signal, but requires the addition of an
external receiver/tuner or HD cable receiver to pick up the HD signals.
An HDTV Integrated set, a significantly
more expensive option, is one with an HD tuner built in. While this type of HD
set will allow consumers to pick up unencrypted HD broadcast signals without
an external receiver/tuner or set top box, most of these integrated sets still
require the external receiver/HD receiver to get the full array of HD
channels. With Cox, those channels include ESPN HD, Discovery HD Theater, HBO
HD, Showtime HD and InHD 1 & 2.
What will HDTV
cost?
Leasing or purchasing a High Definition Digital
Set-top is required to view HDTV programming. Please contact Cox
Communications at 933-2325 for all HDTV pricing information.
Why
is Cox Digital Cable's HDTV better than satellite?
We offer high-definition programming from local networks such as NBC,
ABC, NETV etc. Satellite
providers send one set of signals to all of their customers across the nation.
This is a drawback because they can only carry so many signals due to
bandwidth limitations. In order to watch local network affiliates like NBC,
ABC etc., some satellite customers may have to switch from their
dish to an antenna, or otherwise watch the network broadcasts from a different
region. With Cox, there are no hassles with switching between antenna and
satellite. We have the advantage of local operations, which allow us the
bandwidth to carry the local HDTV network broadcasts available in our area. As
a HDTV cable subscriber, all of your programming (HDTV signals and standard
digital) will be "piped" directly to your television via your cable
connection.
What
equipment will I need to order to view HD programming?
HDTV
set
Cox Digital HD Set- Top box
Do
I need a new television to view an HDTV signal?
You must have an HDTV-Capable TV to view any of
our HD channels.
Will
Cox HDTV support plasma TVs?
Most plasma TV's will have a YPbPr component
input and be capable of supporting multiple HDTV formats. Please consult your
owner's manual.
What
is the difference between DTV, HDTV, and SDTV?
"DTV" is a general reference to
Digital Television, as compared to "analog" Television. DTV
broadcasts can be either HDTV (high-definition television) or SDTV
(standard-definition television). HDTV can broadcast at resolutions typically
as high as 1920 by 1080 pixels (2 million pixels), whereas the resolutions of
SDTV broadcasts are typically only as high as 640 by 480 pixels (290,000
pixels). In comparison, analog television produces a total of about 210,000
pixels. Broadcasters and cable providers can choose which format of DTV they
transmit, and most DTV's and new HDTV set-top boxes will be able to receive
the signal regardless of which format is transmitted. Note, however, that your
standard analog TV set will not be able to receive DTV signals (neither HDTV
nor SDTV).
4:3,
16:9, Wide screen, Sidebars, Letterbox, Stretch, Pan and Scan --- What does it
all mean?
4:3 (width: height) is the standard
television shape. HDTV's have been manufactured in both 4:3 and 16:9 aspect
ratios.
16:9 (width: height) is the traditional shape of a HDTV, although some
HDTV's have been designed with a 4:3 aspect ratio.
Wide screen is a term used for the 16:9 aspect ratio. Most HDTV sets
are easy to identify because of their wide screens. These screens, which are
usually a lot wider than they are tall, closely resemble their movie theater
counterparts.
Sidebars present the entire picture in
the middle of the screen and display black bands on each side of the picture.
Sidebars are used when non-HD content is displayed on HDTV's with aspect
ratios of 16:9.
Stretch is a tool that can be deployed on some HDTV's to stretch a 4:3 image
to a 16:9 screen (vs. sidebars).
Letterbox presents the entire picture in the middle of the screen and
displays black bands above and below the picture. Letterboxes are used to show
HD content on a 4:3 aspect ratio TV. However, with a 16:9 aspect ratio HDTV
you may also have black bands at the top and bottom of the picture depending
upon which wide screen format the program was produced in.
Pan and Scan is a tool that can be
deployed to present 16:9 content onto a 4:3 television (vs. letterboxes).
Will
all channels be in HDTV?
At this time they will not. Federal regulation
mandates that sometime in the future (after 2006) all broadcast signals must
transition from analog to digital. There is no federal mandate that cable
channels switch to HDTV.
Will
I be able to view my program guide?
Yes, the on-screen guide is capable of being
displayed through our HDTV decoders depending on how you configure your
system. You may or may not have this feature available.
Will
I be able to view tapes with my VCR/DVD on my HDTV?
Yes, HDTV's will allow for VCR & DVD
connections. Content quality will be limited by the capabilities of your
VCR/DVD. Please consult your VCR/DVD owner's manual for any limitations.
How
will High-Definition TV look on my regular analog television?
HDTV will not work on regular analog TVs since
they don't support the interfaces required for HDTV signals.
