As more and more networks begin to broadcast programs in high definition, an increasing number of consumers are becoming interested in HD TV. HD TV (or High Definition TeleVision) provides a crystal clear picture, especially when compared with a traditional analog image or even standard digital television. There are a number of technical specifications that differentiate HD TV from standard digital television, and the consumer should know these differences before purchasing a set.

Differences between Standard Digital Television and HD TV

Just because a signal is digital does not mean that it is HD TV. Many cable and satellite companies are instituting digital capabilities in their programming. Users of these services will discover an improved picture performance and a degree of interactivity that they won't find on traditional television or with an analog system.

HD TV, on the other hand, is a particular standard (or, more specifically, one of several standards) of digital television that achieve an improved degree of image performance. The most important factor in assessing the quality of an image is the amount of lines of resolution in the image. This resolution is often listed by the designation "p" in the technical specifications of a signal.

For reference, standard digital cable is broadcast at 480p, which means there are 480 lines of resolution. HD TV standards have a considerably higher resolution, operating at 720p or, in some cases, with 1080 lines of resolution. Different networks transmit different signals, so your HD TV set should be able to interpret and display these different types of images (as most modern HD TV sets do).