The definition (detail and quality) of pictures received by your digital TV is directly linked to the type of digital television being watched, and the quality of the digital TV antenna and cabling that is connected to it. Most existing television equipment (including common analogue TV sets) already receive what is known as Standard Definition pictures. This is 525 lines of picture resolution over your (near square) 4:3 ratio digital TV screen. SD Digital transmissions (now being broadcasted in all areas transmitting in digital signal) help overcome most traditional tv reception problems (for example ghosting) when decoded to your TV via the Digital Set Top Box.
Some other benefits of SD Digital (such as DVD/Cinema quality pictures & CD sound) are now a available for the most simple of TV hardware set ups, together with widescreen tv viewing on television sets with a 16:9 TV screen format (i.e. Widescreen TVs).
Compared to Standard Definition (SD) Television, a HD (High Definition) television image (a feature only available via a significantly more expensive HD Television receiver) has twice the luminance definition – vertically and horizontally. HD pictures are composed of between 1080 to 1125 lines of resolution whereas standard television pictures are only 525 lines as noted above i.e. even more detail and clarity – but at a price!
Within two years of the commencement of digital broadcasting in an area, and in addition to their analogue and Standard Definition transmissions, commercial television broadcasters and the ABC and SBS will be required to provide at least 20 hours per week of programs shot in HD.
Other than for real home entertainment buffs however, there is no real need to wait for HDTV, with the Federal Government requiring broadcasters to provide a digital Standard Definition signal at all times, even when HD (High Definition) programs are being broadcast. This is to ensure that tv viewers will always be receiving a digital transmission whether on a SDTV or HDTV TV receiver.
Again, the HD integrated television receiver (HDTV) or the HD set top box (HD-STB) is expected to be priced significantly more than a SD integrated television receivers (SDTV) or the SD set top box (SD-STB).
In effect, the Australian Government is setting a very high performance benchmark for the TV broadcasters via their HDTV transmission guidelines. It’s the best of both worlds. Those with more expensive tastes (and deeper pockets) will be able to enjoy full home entertainment viewing, whilst the average TV viewer will also enjoy the best that Digital TV has to offer on their existing TV systems.
For SD & HD TV Tuning, Check out our tv tuning page or other antenna and digital tv services.