0 Instruction Manual

74
About High-Definition
What is HD, and how does it diff er from regular TV? To learn more, here’s some helpful information
about high-defi nition and your DIRECTV HD Receiver.
Types of TV Broadcasts
Analog TV is the type of TV broadcast you may be most familiar with. If you get your broadcasts via
a standard off -air antenna, it’s the type you receive, and most broadcasts from local cable companies
are analog as well.
Digital TV is a newer system for broadcasting TV signals delivering higher quality audio and video.
“ Digital TV” refers to a television that can receive and display digital images. Following are terms you
might see used regarding Digital TV broadcasts. Although your DIRECTV HD Receiver is a “true”
HD receiver, the type of TV or monitor you plug it into (SD, ED, or HD) can aff ect the resolution of
the TV picture you see. See “Resolutions and Interlacing” on page 75, for an explanation of display
resolutions.
4 SD (standard defi nition) is digital TV that off ers a picture quality that is better than older analog
televisions. SDTV displays images at a resolution of 480i.
4 ED (enhanced defi nition) is digital TV that can display a higher resolution picture than SDTV. An
EDTV can display at 480i or 480p.
4 HD ( high defi nition) is digital TV that can provide the highest quality picture, at resolutions
1080i, 720p, 480p, or 480i.
To get the
best-quality
TV picture, you
need an HD TV
to go with your
DIRECTV HD
Receiver.