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HDTV BASICS

Since the first HDTVs appeared in 1998, high-definition television has been on the mind of every TV buyer. The big question is whether now is the time to pay a few hundred to a few thousand more and take the plunge on an HDTV set. We can't answer that question for you, but we can provide some basic information that may help you decide

Analogue, digital and HDTV

Analogue: An analogue TV cannot display progressive-scan DVD or HDTV. It can show only standard-definition programmes such as those found on ordinary TV, cable, satellite or Freeview.

Digital: A digital television, or 'DTV', can display Freeview broadcasts from an internal digital tuner.

HDTV: True high-definition televisions, or HDTVs, can display standard TV, progressive-scan DVD, and HDTV signals. To be considered true High Definition TVs, compatible with Sky's forthcoming High Definition service, they must have an HDCP compliant digital input, as well as at least 720 lines of physical resolution. The simplest way to find out if a TV is HD-compatible is to check the TV's specs on the manufacturers web site.

Receiving High Definition content

When high definition really kicks off, with Sky's HD service, Sony's Blu-ray system and Toshiba's HD-DVD will have launched in 2006. But with all the excitement surrounding the format already, how can you see what all the fuss is about?

While there may not be a lot of material out there, luckily it's easy to get hold of. Anyone with a reasonably fast computer (2GHz processor and above) can download film trailers and assorted clips from Microsoft, DivX, or if you're a Mac user, from Apple. You can then watch these clips via your computer monitor, or connect to your digital display if you have one.

There is also a European broadcaster called Euro1080 which has been transmitting high definition content for over a year. However, you need to point a minidish at a very specific orbital position and then invest around £200 in a decoder box. It's something of an effort to set up and the channels don't offer a 24-hour service. If this sounds too much of a hassle, you'll be better off waiting for Sky's HD service.

It has been fairly well publicised that the government will be switching off the analogue television signal to make way for nationwide digital coverage. While it's true that this is the government's plan, it is a long process that won't be completed until 2010. The biggest problem is that 20-25% of the population will not be able to receive Freeview unless the analogue switch-off gets underway.

The planned switch-off will be a phased process that will take place region by region. It has already been tested in some parts of Wales and will continue to happen on an increasing scale until a country-wide switch-off occurs in 2010. While this will obviously make a lot of portable televisions redundant, it will allow more of the signal bandwidth to be occupied by digital services, so you should be able to look forward to more diverse content on Freeview in the future. Over the next few years, it is also hoped that the number of integrated digital TVs (IDTVs) will increase, while set-top boxes (STBs) will continue to fall in price.

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