Jan 28 2005, 10:57 AM, updated 21y ago
QUOTE
The simple explanation of Digital TV
Digital TV describes the current crop of higher scan frequency sets. The designation is bestowed on sets that are able to display progressive signals or include a line doubler to convert the incoming viewable NTSC signal at 480i (interlaced) to 480p (progressive). Digital TV can be 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratio. Ultimately, it is the ability to display the high resolution image defined by the ATSC standards of 1080i or 720p that is the solid foundation of Digital TV.
HDTV or HD-Ready
During the course of shopping for a digital television, the labels HDTV and HD-Ready maybe of some confusion to the consumer. This HDTV designation signifies that the set has an internal ATSC tuner/decoder, as well as meeting the widescreen specifications often required to be considered a true HDTV. The sets will meet the requirement to display in 1080i/720p, although it is often the former only. Very few digital TVs on the market will display in native 720p. The lack of an ATSC tuner/decoder is not necessarily a negative as many set-top decoders are now available with more features than those included in the integrated HDTV. The separate purchase of a HD-Ready TV and the external set-top-box often provides flexibility to the consumer to choose one that offers added features such as satellite receiver and the proper output signal. Most HD-Ready sets will include a high-band component (Y-Pb-Pr) DTV input, although few on the market also offers RGB for this purpose. There have been much debate between manufacturers as to the aspect ratio specifications of the HDTV designation, and it is now recognized that a true HD set will provide widescreen 16:9 aspect screen.
Industry Standards
Due to the confusion in the Digital Television labeling, the Consumer Electronics Association has defined the descriptions for television equipment standards listed below:
High-Definition Television (HDTV): HDTV refers to a complete product/system with the following minimum performance attributes:
* Receiver: Receives ATSC terrestrial digital transmissions and decodes all ATSC Table 3 video formats
* Display Scanning Format: Has active vertical scanning lines of 720 progressive (720p), 1080 interlaced (1080i), or higher
* Aspect Ratio: Capable of displaying a 16:9 image1
* Audio: Receives and reproduces, and/or outputs Dolby Digital audio
High-Definition Television (HDTV) Monitor: HDTV Monitor refers to a monitor or display with the following minimum performance attributes:
* Display Scanning Format: Has active vertical scanning lines of 720 progressive (720p), 1080 interlaced (1080i), or higher
* Aspect Ratio: Capable of displaying a 16:9 image (1)
(1) In specifications found on product literature and in owner's manuals, manufacturers are required to disclose the number of vertical scanning lines in the 16:9 viewable area, which must be 540p, 810i or higher to meet the definition of HDTV.
Enhanced Definition Television (EDTV): EDTV refers to a complete product/system with the following minimum performance attributes:
* Receiver: Receives ATSC terrestrial digital transmissions and decodes all ATSC Table 3 video formats
* Display Scanning Format: Has active vertical scanning lines of 480 progressive (480p) or higher
* Aspect Ratio: None Specified
* Audio: Receives and reproduces, and/or outputs Dolby Digital audio
Enhanced Definition Television (EDTV) Monitor: EDTV Monitor refers to a monitor or display with the following minimum performance attributes:
* Display Scanning Format: Has active vertical scanning lines of 480 progressive (480p) or higher
* Aspect Ratio: None specified
* Audio: Receives and reproduces, and/or outputs Dolby Digital audio
Standard Definition Television (SDTV): SDTV refers to a complete product/system with the following performance attributes:
* Receiver: Receives ATSC terrestrial digital transmissions and decodes all ATSC Table 3 video formats, and produces a useable picture
* Display Scanning Format: Has active vertical scanning lines less than that of EDTV
* Aspect Ratio: None specified
* Audio: Receives and reproduces usable audio
How to connect a PC to an HD-Ready Digital TV?
aa_vga.gif (15770 bytes)
If there is one question that we receive here on a daily basis, that would be "how do I hook up a PC to my HDTV?". The value of being able to use the big screen in the family room as a PC monitor is compelling, entertainment melding regular broadcasts with web surfing, 3D gaming, DVD video playback and access to special features, and MP3 jukebox storage and playback.
The combination in theory sounds like a match made in heaven, a high frequency display and a computer, but manufacturers have not been so cooperative. Recently, DVI based HDTV displays have appeared on the market which may allow you to by-pass this article, but video timing issues as explained still apply. It is not a simple task, but one which is possible with a little persistence and more importantly, the right gadgets.
The introduction of the HDTV brought us the high-band Component input, otherwise known as Y-Pb-Pr. While the internal working of the HDTV set had similarities to a PC monitor, the new format is not compatible with the PC standard of VGA otherwise known as RGBHV.
It seemed that the two would never come together until RCA introduced their first HDTV tuner box, which prompted two manufacturers to step up to the plate to create the VGA to Component trascoder. Originally designed as a solution to connect RCA's VGA based DTC-100 HDTV tuner to component based HDTV, the transcoder soon became popular with the PC and home theater enthusiasts that wanted to use their PC's DVD player and other entertainment applications on their brand new HD-Ready/HDTV. The result is a product that will receive a computer/HDTV signal from RGB/VGA format, convert and re-send the signal to the Progressive Component (Y-Pb-Pr) input of HDTV sets. The models of transcoders available from the two companies are listed below:
Audio Authority - 9A60 VGA to Component Converter
Key Digital - KD-VTCA3 VGA to Component Converter
Now, the caveats......
It's important to know the limitations of this solution as there are no existing standards between the two connection/signal types. The important details are:
1. This converter will not work on a standard analog NTSC interlaced TV. Your TV must be an HD-Ready set.
2. Resolution is limited by the Digital TV used. While the PC is capable of outputting high resolutions, the HD-Ready set is often fixed to the high-definition TV standards of 480p or 1080i at mere 60Hz cycle (known as refresh rate on a PC). A proper signal must be generated from the PC to display an image, and not adhering to the signal frequency can damage your HDTV.
3. The consumer TV often suffers from overscan, cutting of screen information that may make navigation difficult. Image on the right below is an example of overscan.
Properly sized screen
Overscanned image
The above limitations can be overcome providing that your PC's hardware can support special resolutions, and you are able to properly configure the output. One resolution that will require no special modification is 640x480 (480p) @ 60Hz which should work on virtually all HD-Ready TV. For those that want to use a higher resolutions (more ideal for web surfing and DVD playback), an application by Entech called PowerStrip can set custom resolutions/timing to match the optimal frequency of your HDTV (normally 1080i, sometimes 720p)
For more information on how to configure your HDTV to a PC, read Wayne Harrelson's Excellent Guide to PowerStrip.
Point of Interest: Reverse transcoders are available to connect a Progressive Component output (Progressive Scan DVD, XBox) to RGB/VGA for use with a PC Monitor.
Audio Authority 9A62 Component to VGA Converter
Key Digital KD-CTCA3 Component to VGA Converter
Source: Digital ConnectionDigital TV describes the current crop of higher scan frequency sets. The designation is bestowed on sets that are able to display progressive signals or include a line doubler to convert the incoming viewable NTSC signal at 480i (interlaced) to 480p (progressive). Digital TV can be 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratio. Ultimately, it is the ability to display the high resolution image defined by the ATSC standards of 1080i or 720p that is the solid foundation of Digital TV.
HDTV or HD-Ready
During the course of shopping for a digital television, the labels HDTV and HD-Ready maybe of some confusion to the consumer. This HDTV designation signifies that the set has an internal ATSC tuner/decoder, as well as meeting the widescreen specifications often required to be considered a true HDTV. The sets will meet the requirement to display in 1080i/720p, although it is often the former only. Very few digital TVs on the market will display in native 720p. The lack of an ATSC tuner/decoder is not necessarily a negative as many set-top decoders are now available with more features than those included in the integrated HDTV. The separate purchase of a HD-Ready TV and the external set-top-box often provides flexibility to the consumer to choose one that offers added features such as satellite receiver and the proper output signal. Most HD-Ready sets will include a high-band component (Y-Pb-Pr) DTV input, although few on the market also offers RGB for this purpose. There have been much debate between manufacturers as to the aspect ratio specifications of the HDTV designation, and it is now recognized that a true HD set will provide widescreen 16:9 aspect screen.
Industry Standards
Due to the confusion in the Digital Television labeling, the Consumer Electronics Association has defined the descriptions for television equipment standards listed below:
High-Definition Television (HDTV): HDTV refers to a complete product/system with the following minimum performance attributes:
* Receiver: Receives ATSC terrestrial digital transmissions and decodes all ATSC Table 3 video formats
* Display Scanning Format: Has active vertical scanning lines of 720 progressive (720p), 1080 interlaced (1080i), or higher
* Aspect Ratio: Capable of displaying a 16:9 image1
* Audio: Receives and reproduces, and/or outputs Dolby Digital audio
High-Definition Television (HDTV) Monitor: HDTV Monitor refers to a monitor or display with the following minimum performance attributes:
* Display Scanning Format: Has active vertical scanning lines of 720 progressive (720p), 1080 interlaced (1080i), or higher
* Aspect Ratio: Capable of displaying a 16:9 image (1)
(1) In specifications found on product literature and in owner's manuals, manufacturers are required to disclose the number of vertical scanning lines in the 16:9 viewable area, which must be 540p, 810i or higher to meet the definition of HDTV.
Enhanced Definition Television (EDTV): EDTV refers to a complete product/system with the following minimum performance attributes:
* Receiver: Receives ATSC terrestrial digital transmissions and decodes all ATSC Table 3 video formats
* Display Scanning Format: Has active vertical scanning lines of 480 progressive (480p) or higher
* Aspect Ratio: None Specified
* Audio: Receives and reproduces, and/or outputs Dolby Digital audio
Enhanced Definition Television (EDTV) Monitor: EDTV Monitor refers to a monitor or display with the following minimum performance attributes:
* Display Scanning Format: Has active vertical scanning lines of 480 progressive (480p) or higher
* Aspect Ratio: None specified
* Audio: Receives and reproduces, and/or outputs Dolby Digital audio
Standard Definition Television (SDTV): SDTV refers to a complete product/system with the following performance attributes:
* Receiver: Receives ATSC terrestrial digital transmissions and decodes all ATSC Table 3 video formats, and produces a useable picture
* Display Scanning Format: Has active vertical scanning lines less than that of EDTV
* Aspect Ratio: None specified
* Audio: Receives and reproduces usable audio
How to connect a PC to an HD-Ready Digital TV?
aa_vga.gif (15770 bytes)
If there is one question that we receive here on a daily basis, that would be "how do I hook up a PC to my HDTV?". The value of being able to use the big screen in the family room as a PC monitor is compelling, entertainment melding regular broadcasts with web surfing, 3D gaming, DVD video playback and access to special features, and MP3 jukebox storage and playback.
The combination in theory sounds like a match made in heaven, a high frequency display and a computer, but manufacturers have not been so cooperative. Recently, DVI based HDTV displays have appeared on the market which may allow you to by-pass this article, but video timing issues as explained still apply. It is not a simple task, but one which is possible with a little persistence and more importantly, the right gadgets.
The introduction of the HDTV brought us the high-band Component input, otherwise known as Y-Pb-Pr. While the internal working of the HDTV set had similarities to a PC monitor, the new format is not compatible with the PC standard of VGA otherwise known as RGBHV.
It seemed that the two would never come together until RCA introduced their first HDTV tuner box, which prompted two manufacturers to step up to the plate to create the VGA to Component trascoder. Originally designed as a solution to connect RCA's VGA based DTC-100 HDTV tuner to component based HDTV, the transcoder soon became popular with the PC and home theater enthusiasts that wanted to use their PC's DVD player and other entertainment applications on their brand new HD-Ready/HDTV. The result is a product that will receive a computer/HDTV signal from RGB/VGA format, convert and re-send the signal to the Progressive Component (Y-Pb-Pr) input of HDTV sets. The models of transcoders available from the two companies are listed below:
Audio Authority - 9A60 VGA to Component Converter
Key Digital - KD-VTCA3 VGA to Component Converter
Now, the caveats......
It's important to know the limitations of this solution as there are no existing standards between the two connection/signal types. The important details are:
1. This converter will not work on a standard analog NTSC interlaced TV. Your TV must be an HD-Ready set.
2. Resolution is limited by the Digital TV used. While the PC is capable of outputting high resolutions, the HD-Ready set is often fixed to the high-definition TV standards of 480p or 1080i at mere 60Hz cycle (known as refresh rate on a PC). A proper signal must be generated from the PC to display an image, and not adhering to the signal frequency can damage your HDTV.
3. The consumer TV often suffers from overscan, cutting of screen information that may make navigation difficult. Image on the right below is an example of overscan.
Properly sized screen
Overscanned image
The above limitations can be overcome providing that your PC's hardware can support special resolutions, and you are able to properly configure the output. One resolution that will require no special modification is 640x480 (480p) @ 60Hz which should work on virtually all HD-Ready TV. For those that want to use a higher resolutions (more ideal for web surfing and DVD playback), an application by Entech called PowerStrip can set custom resolutions/timing to match the optimal frequency of your HDTV (normally 1080i, sometimes 720p)
For more information on how to configure your HDTV to a PC, read Wayne Harrelson's Excellent Guide to PowerStrip.
Point of Interest: Reverse transcoders are available to connect a Progressive Component output (Progressive Scan DVD, XBox) to RGB/VGA for use with a PC Monitor.
Audio Authority 9A62 Component to VGA Converter
Key Digital KD-CTCA3 Component to VGA Converter
And here's an extra bit from fellow forumer stringfellow:
QUOTE
The connection method for usage for your videogame consoles is virtually the same as connection to PC, only that you dont have to tinker with Powerstrip , it is preset to the three popular HDTV modes, 480p, 720p and 1080i.
Thanks to stringfellow for the link and info.
So, please refer to this before starting any new threads on HDTVs and please post any questions about it here. Feel free to post further info here as well.
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