By now nearly everyone has heard
something about the digital TV transition set to
take place on Feb. 17, 2009. That's the day when
all full-power broadcast television stations in
the United States will cease broadcasting on
analog airwaves and begin broadcasting solely in
digital.
That's less than a year away -- so now is
the time to start thinking about how the switch
will affect you. Will you choose to get a
converter box or will you take advantage of this
opportunity and step up to the amazing picture of
a high definition TV with a built-in digital
tuner?
While the change to all-digital TV might
sound a little scary to some people, the fact is
that digital broadcasting will benefit everyone,
bringing improved picture and sound quality, as
well as additional channels and interactive video
and data services. The best news is that it's
actually very simple to make the switch from
analog to digital TV at home. Follow these tips
and you will be well on your way to enjoying a
high-definition digital experience in your own
home.
Getting Started: If you're looking
to get the best high-definition picture, you'll
need an HDTV set capable of 720p, 1080i or 1080p
picture resolution. You'll also need a
high-definition source such as an HD cable box or
satellite receiver and be watching a high
definition channel that will show 720p or 1080i
resolution. To receive 1080p resolution, which is
the clearest, most detailed picture available
today, you'll need a Blu-ray Disc player. If
you're a little confused, don't fret. The
salespeople at almost any store that sells HDTV
will be glad to help you out.
Making the Right Connection: It's
important to remember, however, that when you buy
an HDTV, one of the most important components may
not be included. To get all that high definition
picture and sound from your HD cable box or
satellite receiver or Blu-ray disc player, you
will want to purchase an HDMI cable to connect
your high-definition source to the TV.
Widely regarded as the best
high-definition connector available, HDMI cables
give you the very best sights and sounds, and
because they carry both audio and video digital
signals they're also the easiest way to hook up to
your HDTV.
Not All Cables are Created Equal:
There are many different choices when it comes to
buying HDMI cables, but like you wouldn't put
economy tires on a sports car, you will want to
make sure you go with the highest quality cable
available to get all the performance from your
high definition gear. This doesn't have to mean
buying the most expensive cable, but you will need
to find one that can support the large amounts of
data coming from sources that have the new HDMI
1.3 format, 1080p, and the new HD audio formats
used on Blu-Ray discs. Even if you haven't
converted to Blu-Ray just yet, planning for future
technologies is advisable when it comes to
purchasing HDMI cables.
Noel Lee of Monster Cable believes it is
possible for all Americans to make the perfect
digital connection. His company is offering
"Monster Advanced for HDMI" speed-rated
cables. "We've worked to create a
speed-rating system for every budget and
hookup," Lee states. "This way, everyone
can enjoy maximum high-definition performance, no
matter what system they own."
For more information about HDMI and to
learn which speed-rated cable is right for your
HDTV, visit Monster's HDMI learning center at www.monstercable.com/HDMI. For
more specific questions, visit www.monstercommunity.com.
Courtesy of ARA Content
