Digital Television: What Everyone Should Know (NAPSA)—Digital television (DTV) is an entirely new system that refers to sets that can receive and display digital images. HDTV, or “high-definition television,” is the highest quality Digital TV available, offering more than five times the sharpnessof today’s television, along with digital surround sound. Digital TV is also available as EDTV (enhanced definition TV) or SDTV (standard definition TV), each with improved pictures and sound over analog televisions. How do receive Digital TV? Some digital television sets have the digital decoding and tuning functions built into the TV— an integrated, one-product solution. Others are a two-part system—adigital monitor, capable of receiving HDTV, EDTV or SDTV signals, plus a tuner in a separate set-top decoder box. The two-part solution lets you upgrade to DTV when you’re ready. If stations broadcast digital television, an integrated set is probably the set to buy. You might also consider buying a digital monitor now—to get improved pic- tures for your regular television programs (via satellite, cable or through your antenna), your DVD and your VCR—and then add a en aan J Digital television offers better picture and soundquality. antenna works for you, see the Consumer Electronics Association’s (CEA) antenna map at www.antennaweb.org. To get DTV programmingvia satellite, you will need specially equipped receivers as well as a special satellite dish available from your satellite provider or an electronics retailer. Is my current television obsolete? Today’s analog televisions will continue to receive analog broadcasts at least through 2006. After that, you will be able to hook up a set-top box to your TV to receive digital TV broadcast signals, but not in high definition. Today’s TVs will continue to work with cable, satellite, VCRs, DVD players available over the air, via home satellite systems and in some areas bycable. To receive an overthe-air signal, you will need an over-the-air antenna. In many and other devices for many years. Will my VCR and DVD player work with DTV? Today’s VCRs and DVD players will work with digital television sets. The picture quality will be equal to the best of what today’s VCR and DVD players can deliver. be moreeffective. To find out what www.dtvweb.org. set-top box once stations are on the air with digital programming. Digital TV programming is instances, a rooftop antenna will For more information, see
