Who is broadcasting HDTV?

What is HDTV and why is it so important?

HDTV is an entirely new system that will ultimately replace today¡¯s existing analog "NTSC" television system. The term "HDTV" refers to a television system that can transmit, receive and display high-quality digital images.

Once the DTV standard was set in 1996, the Federal government subsequently mandated a nationwide transition for the nation¡¯s 1,600-plus television stations to move from analog to digital transmission. In order to facilitate this, the FCC allocated an additional channel to all broadcast TV stations. This second channel is dedicated for digital broadcasts and upon completion of the transition (the year 2006 or 85 percent household penetration, whichever occurs later), the original analog channel must be returned to the government. The FCC will eventually auction the analog channel spectrum.

Is my current TV obsolete?

No, analog televisions will continue to receive analog broadcasts at least through 2006, and probably longer. After that, consumers will be able to connect an inexpensive receiver to their existing TV to decode TV broadcast signals, just not in high-definition. Of course, current televisions will continue to work with cable, satellite, VCRs, DVD players, camcorders, video game consoles and other devices for many years.

What is Digital Television?

Digital TV (DTV) is the evolution from ordinary analog television viewing into a world of the sharpest, richest, most engaging picture and sound quality ever experienced on television.
Like the transition from black-and-white to color, the progression to Digital TV broadcasting marks an unprecedented improvement in a technology that has been embraced by Americans for more than 50 years.
Experience the Reality

Digital TV is here and delivers a viewing experience so realistic, "it's like being there." It is turbo-charged television producing clearer pictures, better sound and more viewing excitement. DTV will ultimately replace today's existing analog system as broadcasters complete the digital transition. And with prices of digital sets plunging, purchasing a Digital TV is more affordable and easier to obtain than ever.

Imagine the Possibilities

Imagine being able to "read the green" or see the dimples on the golf ball while watching a golf tournament. Imagine watching and hearing a concert so pristinely it's as if the orchestra is performing in your living room. Imagine seeing the tension on the kickers face as he lines up to boot the game-winning field goal. Now, imagine not having to imagine - it's all available through Digital TV.

Understanding Digital TV

DTV sets are those that can receive free, digital, over-the-air content from stations broad-casting in a digital format. High-definition Television (HDTV), is the highest quality Digital TV available, offering five times the resolution of today's analog television, along with CD-quality digital surround sound capability. The picture quality of HDTV approaches that of 35 mm motion picture film output. In addition to HDTV, Digital TV can offer a second type of signal, Standard-definition Television, (SDTV). While SDTV signals also deliver high-quality video and audio, they occupy less space on the allocated spectrum than high-definition signals and give broadcasters the flexibility to multicast programming, bringing viewers mulitple, free, over-the-air programs broadcast simultaneously from the same station. Therefore, if a station chooses not to broadcast in HDTV, then it has the option of providing multiple channels of SDTV.

A wide variety of programs are currently broadcast in a high-definition format - with more added everyday, ranging from sporting events like football, college basketball and golf to favorite prime time television shows and movies. In fact, almost 60 prime time network shows are being shown in HD format such as NYPD Blue, Everybody Loves Raymond and American Dreams.
A Clear Choice

Digital TV has opened up a whole new world for viewers and broadcasters alike:

• Unlike digital cable, DTV offers superior resolution and sound.
• The superior picture and sound quality are free of fuzzy "snow" or shadowy "ghosting."
• Digital TV's multicasting ability gives viewers more choice in television programs broadcast from the same station at the same time. For example, with multicasting, viewers can choose to watch news, sports, sitcom, or children's programming coming from the same station at the same time.
• More possibilities for consumer interactivity, giving viewers more opportunities to access and save additional program material or non-program related resources (video, audio, text, graphics, maps, services, etc.) to computers, cache boxes, set-top boxes, or Digital TV receivers.

The Time to Upgrade is Now

With the number of digital stations rising, the amount of HDTV program doubling since last year and HDTV set sales soaring, Digital TV is fast becoming the centerpiece of impressive home theaters.

How Is DTV Different From What We Have Today?

For the past 40 years televisions signals have employed a standard known as NTSC (North American Television Systems Committee) for production, transmission and display. The NTSC standard is known as analogue signal in that it is created with continuously varying voltage levels or electrical waves, which may be adversely affected by every step in the production -distribution process. To conserve the limited transmission spectrum, the color portion of the signal and the luminance (black and white image) are combined in the production stage and retained in this composite form until separated at the television receiver into the primary components of red, green and blue  (R,G,B) at the picture tube. 

DTV is a new generation of television. DTV signals are generally recorded, distributed and transmitted in a digital component format. Being digital, the signal generally experiences minimal loss of quality from the studio or mobile cameras to the homes. The color is more faithfully reproduced through the entire process from the originating R,G,B components in the camera to our home television displays. This ensures sharper pictures, and greater color fidelity. Potentially studio origination quality can be delivered to the home without transmission or distribution losses. And this can be done at varying levels of picture detail depending on the content needs, broadly described as Standard Definition television (SDTV), Enhanced Definition television (EDTV), and High Definition. 

The North American DTV standard known as ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee) is basically a highly compressed stream of 1¡¯s and 0¡¯s, known as bits, which represent the pictures, sound and data associated with the television signal. These bits are then converted into pixels (short for Picture Elements), which can be thought of as a single dot of light on the TV screen. The greater the number of pixels, the sharper or better defined the picture will be. In its ¡°finest¡± form HDTV can display up to 10 times as many pixels as today¡¯s analogue televisions.

When will the DTV transition be complete?
The target date for the end of the transition from analog to digital television signals is December 31, 2006.  That date may be extended, however, until most homes (85%) in an area are able to watch the DTV programming.  At that point, broadcasting the current ¡°analog¡± channels will end and that spectrum will be put to other uses.  Until the transition to DTV is complete, television stations will continue broadcasting on both their digital and analog channels.

What makes HDTV better than today's television?

HDTV offers incredibly detailed, life-like picture quality with up to five times the sharpness of today¡¯s television along with digital surround sound capability and a widescreen format.

What can I watch in HDTV?

The great news for consumers is that Hollywood is creating more and more digital programming at the highest levels of resolution and sound quality.

What is the difference between ¡°digital cable,¡± ¡°digital satellite¡± and ¡°HDTV?¡±

Just because a program arrives through a digital cable or digital satellite doesn¡¯t mean it is in high-definition. Much of today¡¯s programming - even that received from a digital satellite, digital cable or even a digital channel broadcast over-the-air - is delivered in SDTV. You¡¯ll get a better picture than you get with the analog broadcasts TV has used for years, because a digital picture will be free from the ¡°ghosts¡± and ¡°snow¡± that can plague analog transmissions. At a minimum, over-the-air SDTV offers a picture 640 pixels wide by 480 pixels high, totaling 307,200 pixels - about 50 percent more than today¡¯s analog TV. A standard definition picture will be good, but not nearly as sharp and crisp as high-definition, which can go up to two million pixels.

Experience television like never before. Pictures so sharp and clear you¡¯ll think they¡¯re real. Surround sound that puts you in the middle of the action. Simply put: the HDTV experience is amazing.

High¨Cdefinition television (HDTV) delivers picture and sound quality that are a quantum leap above your current tv set. It's just like a movie theater was placed in your living room! Every show you watch¡ªno matter if it¡¯s the local news or a championship sports event¡ªtakes on a vivid brilliance that simply has to be seen to be appreciated.

The image seen on the best HDTV set has five times more detail than analog televisions. Now watching a big football game feels like you're 15 rows up on the 50-yard line as you see every inch of the field¡ªeven the scuffs on the quarterback's helmet. Not only is the picture more realistic¡ªlike looking through a sparkling clean picture window¡ªHDTVs have wider, rectangular screens like movie theaters and deliver the same Dolby Digital surround sound that thrills audiences at the local Cineplex.

HDTV is revolutionizing television as CD players did for music. CDs eliminated scratches and hisses from records, while HDTVs eliminate ghosts, static, snow and poor-quality video. When you see an HDTV program, it's exactly the same as the one that left the TV station: colors are crisp, text is easier to read and the higher quality audio embedded into the signal supercharges the viewing experience.

HDTV is only one part of "digital television (DTV)," an umbrella term covering
all of the digital formats for the standard approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 1996. The official name is the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) standard. There are several different DTV picture formats offering varying levels of quality; HDTV with its widescreen picture and Dolby Digital sound is the pinnacle.

Just as there is a wide variety of DTV picture formats, there are different types of digital televisions. The most affordable is capable of showing Standard Definition TV (SDTV). The next best category is Enhanced Definition TV (EDTV), capable of displaying a higher-quality 480 progressive image. An EDTV set has a digital tuner built-in, while an EDTV monitor requires a digital set-top box.

The highest picture quality models are HDTVs (720p, 1080i) with a widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio. This television lets you see uncropped widescreen movies without the black bars on top and bottom used for "letterbox" presentations (letterboxing is the method typically used to "fit" rectangular CinemaScope movies onto a square 4:3 screen). As with all DTV products today (SD, ED), HDTVs are available as HDTV sets with built-in tuners or HDTV monitors that require a digital receiver.

How HDTV Differs from Analog TV?

HDTV has higher resolution: meaning sharper, clearer pictures. The image on a television is composed of small picture elements called pixels. The pixels in HDTV are closely packed together to provide a highly detailed picture. Current analog TVs display an image of 200,000 pixels. The minimum DTV signal shows 300,000 pixels and hits a maximum of two million for HDTV, the best of the 18 ATSC formats.

HDTV has a widescreen format: In addition to providing improved picture quality with more visible detail, HDTV is transmitted in a widescreen display commonly referred to as a 16:9 format, meaning that the picture is 16 units wide by 9 units high. A conventional analog display is 4 units wide by 3 units high, or 4:3. Thus the 16:9 display provides a wider image area that more closely matches the movie theater experience.

HDTV has better sound: Many HDTV programs also contain six-channel (5.1) Dolby Digital surround sound to provide an immersive audio experience to complement the improved picture quality on HDTV. This is particularly beneficial within a home theater system.

The DTV Standard?

On December 24, 1996, the U.S. FCC adopted the major elements of the ATSC DTV standard, mandating its use for digital terrestrial television broadcasts in the U.S. Within the DTV standard are 18 different picture formats. The FCC did not mandate use of the specific HDTV and SDTV formats contained in the ATSC standard, but these have been uniformly adopted on a voluntary basis by broadcasters and receiver manufacturers. All digital receivers (set-top boxes) and HDTV sets receive them all. A DTV receiver, which looks like a VCR or a cable or satellite receiver, gathers and translates the digital signal for the DTV monitor.

In 1997 the FCC adopted companion DTV rules, assigning an additional 6 MHz channel to approximately 1,600 full-power broadcasters in the U.S. to permit them to offer digital terrestrial broadcasts in parallel with their existing analog services during a transition period, while consumers made the conversion to digital receivers or set-top boxes. In accordance with the FCC plan, digital television service was launched in the U.S. November 1, 1998.

The two most commonly used signals by local broadcast stations are EDTV and HDTV. With the current analog system, TV images are created by interlace scanning, which uses two fields of alternating horizontal scanning lines to form a full picture. This picture is referred to as "480 interlace," or 480i. With many DTVs, the number of scanning lines more than doubles to 1,080 (1080i). This is HDTV and delivers a more detailed image that practically jumps off the TV screen.

HDTV also may be broadcast and displayed as a "progressive image" (720p), like a computer monitor. Here, a full frame fills the screen from top to bottom, eliminating lines altogether so the picture has a more filmlike feel. EDTV quality is referred to as 480p for its 480 progressive lines of resolution.

In the new digital era, broadcasters can offer free, over-the-air television of higher resolution and better picture quality than is possible under the current system. If broadcasters so choose, they can deliver HDTV with theater-quality pictures and CD-quality sound. Or a broadcaster can offer several different TV programs at the same time (called ¡°multicasting¡±), but in a lower resolution - SDTV. Even with fewer than 480 lines of resolution, the picture and sound quality of SDTV still is better than analog TV. The target date for completion of the analog-to-DTV transition is 2006, or 85 percent household penetration, whichever occurs later.

1. Why Do You Want it

Why Would I Want To Buy An HDTV?

There is no question that HDTV is much better than the analogue system we
have today.

Vastly Superior Picture Performance. Broadcasters will now be able to transmit pictures with a quality far superior to today¡¯s NTSC television system or any other picture source currently available (e.g. VCR, DVD and Laser Disc).

New Wide screen Format. HDTV provides for a wide screen presentation similar to what you see in movie theatres. The new screen has a width-to-height (or aspect) ratio of 16:9 compared to today¡¯s 4:3 width-to-height ratio on conventional television sets.

Wider Aspect Ratio. See the illustration below.

?

Clearer Pictures. HDTV will eliminate ¡°snow¡± and ghosting.

Better Color. HDTV delivers exceptionally vivid colors - including subtle purples and reds - and will eliminate any bleeding of colors at the edges...

Multi-Channel Digital Sound Quality. HDTV provides highly advanced Dolby? Digital Audio, also known as AC3, with 5.1 discrete audio channels.

Future Possibilities. HDTV uses a high bit-rate channel, which will mean broadcasters will be capable of transmitting new value added services, such as Interactive TV,? to consumers in the near future.

Is DTV the Same as High-Definition Television?

HDTV is DTV at it¡¯s finest. HDTV is the best option in the range of DTV transmission formats.

Each of the eighteen possible broadcast formats within the ATSC standard has a specified number of active horizontal scanning lines used to create a TV picture. The greater the number of these scanning lines, the greater the level of vertical detail, in either progressive or interlaced mode. Six of ATSC¡¯s eighteen transmission formats use 1080 or 720 active scanning lines, in either ¡°p¡±-progressive, or ¡°i¡±-interlaced display. This is true HDTV. The remaining twelve transmission formats use 480 active scanning lines, and are classified as Standard Definition. Set manufacturers may also use the term Enhanced Definition (EDTV) to define the display of an SD broadcast in a 480 line progressive format. Thus Standard Definition Television (SDTV) would be any display of digital transmission, down converted to 480 line interlaced format (480i).

The following comparison chart indicates attributes of the various formats. Note that the SD, ED, and HD formats all require either an ATSC compliant built in tuner or an add-on ATSC set top box. Also remember that an ATSC compliant tuner or set top box must be able to receive and decode all 18 broadcast formats, and allow for a usable display of the picture.

The image seen on the best HDTV set has five times more detail than analog televisions. Now watching a big football game feels like you're 15 rows up on the 50-yard line as you see every inch of the field¡ªeven the scuffs on the quarterback's helmet. Not only is the picture more realistic¡ªlike looking through a sparkling clean picture window¡ªHDTVs have wider, rectangular screens like movie theaters and deliver the same Dolby Digital surround sound that thrills audiences at the local Cineplex.

HDTV is revolutionizing television as CD players did for music. CDs eliminated scratches and hisses from records, while HDTVs eliminate ghosts, static, snow and poor-quality video. When you see an HDTV program, it's exactly the same as the one that left the TV station: colors are crisp, text is easier to read and the higher quality audio embedded into the signal supercharges the viewing experience.

HDTV is only one part of "digital television (DTV)," an umbrella term covering all of the digital formats for the standard approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 1996. The official name is the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) standard. There are several different DTV picture formats offering varying levels of quality; HDTV with its widescreen picture and Dolby Digital sound is the pinnacle.

Just as there is a wide variety of DTV picture formats, there are different types of digital televisions. The most affordable is capable of showing Standard Definition TV (SDTV). The next best category is Enhanced Definition TV (EDTV), capable of displaying a higher-quality 480 progressive image. An EDTV set has a digital tuner built-in, while an EDTV monitor requires a digital set-top box.

The highest picture quality models are HDTVs (720p, 1080i) with a widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio. This television lets you see uncropped widescreen movies without the black bars on top and bottom used for "letterbox" presentations (letterboxing is the method typically used to "fit" rectangular CinemaScope movies onto a square 4:3 screen). As with all DTV products today (SD, ED), HDTVs are available as HDTV sets with built-in tuners or HDTV monitors that require a digital receiver.

A Bounty of Beautiful Shows

Broadcasters are offering an ever-increasing array of high-definition programming. . . you will be knocked out when you see them. When you get your new HDTV home, you¡¯ll have an amazing palette of digital entertainment from which to choose¡ªright in your living room. No matter if you love soap operas, prime-time favorites from network TV and premium cable networks, Hollywood blockbusters or almost every sport you can imagine, you'll likely find sparkling HDTV versions available today.

To find out what programs are airing in HDTV in your town, check out Titan TV (www.titantv.com) a free online program guide from Decisionmark in conjunction with CEA. The National Association of Broadcasters¡¯ (NAB) website also is a good source for the latest list of DTV broadcast stations in your area (http://www.nab.org).

Your new HDTV also is a great companion for the many affordable progressive scan output DVD players widely available on the market. While these players don¡¯t provide a high-definition image, connect one to your HDTV and you'll see a beautiful, seamless picture that exceeds even the quality of a standard DVD player.

With thousands of DVD titles available and all the new DTV programming on-air, there's no shortage of digital entertainment for your new HDTV.

When Broadcasters Begin Transmitting HDTV Signals, What Happens to Current Analogue Televisions?
Nothing. The current analogue signals will be broadcast just as they are today until the transition to DTV is complete which is not expected until after 2006 in the US

How Long will Conventional Analogue TV Signals Be Available?
Since the transition to digital TV will take a long time to complete, you¡¯ll be able to watch analogue broadcasting for years. As a point of reference, it took 13 years for sales of color televisions to surpass black-and-white sales. In comparison, digital television represents a change of even greater complexity. The earliest that analogue stations may be allowed to shut down in Canada has yet to be determined but it is likely to be beyond the year 2010. Because analogue broadcasting will be with us for years, new HDTV receivers will also receive and display analogue TV signals. 

What do you need to receive the HDTV signal

3 Simple Steps to GET HDTV

1. Get the Equipment
Simply stated, the HD Receiver accepts a special HD Programming signal, decodes it and sends it to the HD Display where you see, hear and experience the wonders of HDTV. Understanding what equipment works best for you can be a challenge. This quick overview will help you get started. More information is available on www.ce.org/hdtv and on websites listed in this brochure.

Are the new DTV sets readily available?
Digital TV sets are available at both retail stores nationwide as well as online. Like CD players, computers and personal digital assistants, the prices for Digital TV sets continue to drop as the technology becomes more prominent. In fact, prices for Digital TV sets have decreased by 50 percent over the last two years and are available in stores today starting at under $2,000.
Equally important, sales of DTV monitors and sets (monitors with integrated tuners) are rising each month. According to the Consumers Electronics Association, manufacturer-to-retailer sales figures of DTV monitors and sets in October 2001 showed a 113 percent increase over October of the previous year. October 2001 alone saw 187,464 Digital TV sets and monitors shipped from manufacturers to retailers. As of the end of October, 1,050,460 Digital TV units had been sold in 2001. CEA projects that 2.1 million Digital TV products will be sold in 2002, 5.4 million in 2004, 8 million in 2005 and 10.5 million in 2006.

2. Get the Programming

Call your local Cable or Satellite provider to order HDTV Programming - the only way to get the full HD movie theater experience in your home. You¡¯ll have a variety of dedicated HD Channels to choose from.

3. Get the Picture

HD Receiver: You need an HD Receiver to get HD Programming. Sometimes the HD Receiver is built into the HD Display. This is called an integrated set or simply an HDTV set. For satellite, you will need a specific HD Receiver, as well as a special satellite dish. For cable, you will need HD-specific equipment depending on the type of HD Display you purchase. Call your cable provider for details.

How will I Receive HDTV?
In the US, digital TV initially arrived through over-the-air (terrestrial) broadcasts in previously unused portions of the VHF/UHF spectrum. Standard VHF/UHF antennas will provide reception. In Canada, only 20% of homes receive terrestrial broadcasts in this manner, and this is currently not an economically viable solution for Canadian broadcasters. As a result, initial DTV offerings in Canada were introduced through cable, and Direct to Home (DTH) satellite distribution rather than over-the-air. However, CityTV is broadcasting in High Definition now, and CTV launches HD service in November 2003 over satellite and some cable services. Other broadcasters have their digital licenses applications in place with the CRTC. All Canadian DTV services will have to follow Canadian Government procedures, policies, and CRTC regulations.  

Different networks may choose different formats. A network might go one way, and some of its affiliates may go another. A single station might broadcast HD (1080 or 720 lines) for prime time and SD (480) at other times. The format you receive will be determined by the content provider, and the signal distributor. Regardless, your HDTV, or set top box, will be able to convert and display any digital signal, and will automatically switch between the different formats.

What is Needed to get HDTV

What should consumers look for when shopping for a new TV set today?

1. An integrated Digital TV set -- This option allows viewers to receive analog and digital signals. An integrated set can project high-definition (HD), enhanced-definition (ED) or standard-definition (SD) signals. An HDTV set has the highest resolution available and provides the ultimate home theater experience. An integrated Digital TV set provides consumers the most convenient, hassle-free way to experience Digital TV.
2. A Digital TV monitor and a separate digital tuner decoder box. This option allows consumers to upgrade to Digital TV when ready. If consumers choose to purchase only a Digital TV monitor, they will get a wide-screen format and improved picture. In order to receive an over-the-air signal with a Digital TV monitor, consumers must purchase a set-top decoder box. These boxes may be used with HD, ED or SD monitors.
3. An analog set. If consumers buy an analog set today, they will not receive any of the benefits of Digital TV, including the clearest pictures and sound ever available. Because an analog set does not have a digital tuner, consumers will have to purchase a digital tuner decoder box to watch Digital TV.
4. Antennas: Antennas are required to receive DTV and HDTV signals from satellite and over-the-air (OTA) sources.
   
   The choice of an antenna for OTA reception is complex, as the signal level varies considerably with distance from the transmitter, channel, terrain and location. At the same time, the interference from other stations on the same or adjacent channels varies widely. While over-the-air DTV transmission is far more rugged that analogue NTSC transmission, when it fails, it fails completely and no reception is possible, unlike analogue transmission which simply becomes noisy and distorted.
   
   The OTA reception must be chosen to pick up the desired signal(s) with a good margin to ensure reliable reception under all conditions. In general the following guidelines will provide good reception in most situations.

Close to the transmitter, up to 15 km. An indoor antenna will suffice, as long as the signal is not blocked by large surrounding buildings or terrain. Suitable antennas are available at CE suppliers. A typical indoor antenna is illustrated.

Typical Indoor Antenna
In the suburban area, 10 to 30 kms? From the transmitter, a small outdoor antenna will give adequate reception. If the cable from the antenna is over 30 ft in length, the antenna booster amplifier will improve reception, particularly on high UHF channels. Such antennas are available from CE suppliers and a typical unit is illustrated.

Typical Amplified Indoor/Outdoor Antenna
In rural areas, 25 ¨C 70 kms distant form the transmitter, a multi-element outdoor antenna equipped with an antenna amplifier can provide good reception in many cases, where the signal is not blocked by terrain (hills, etc.) Suitable antennas are manufactured by Wade, Winegard (illustrated PR-7015), Channel Master, Antennacraft and others.

Winegard PR-7015 Outdoor Antenna
Some testing and expert assistance may be needed to select, install and align an appropriate antenna in areas distanced from the transmission site to ensure that it can deliver reliable HDTV reception..

Some satellite antennas now include an optional over-the-air antenna in the package.

What Does ¡°HDTV Ready¡± Mean?
All televisions are Digital TV-Ready when connected to a DTV set-top box. This will produce an NTSC (analogue) quality picture. As a result, it is important to understand the different terms used to describe your televisions capabilities. 

• An INTEGRATEDDigital Television, be it SD, ED, or HD, must meet the specific display and audio criteria for its class, utilizing an ATSC compliant BUILT IN tuner.
• A DIGITAL READY Television, whether SD, ED, or HD, must also meet the specific display and audio characteristics of its class, utilizing an add-on DTV set-top box (STB) to decode the signals.
• HDTV-READY means the TV has a designated HDTV input, but does not have an ATSC tuner built in. These TVs require a DTV converter box that will allow the TV to display a HDTV program in its native 720p or 1080i transmission format, as well as reproducing or passing through 5.1 channel audio. The image on-screen must be in a 16:9 aspect ratio. Most HD sets are built with a screen in that aspect ratio, however, letterboxing a 720p or 1080i broadcast on a 4:3 display will still qualify as High Definition. Your set manufacturer will identify the number of active scanning lines in these cases.   top

What are the Minimum Features a TV Must Have to Qualify as a High Definition TV (HDTV)?
The minimum performance attributes for HDTV are: 

• Picture Quality: vertical display resolution of 720p,resulting in 921,600 pixels per frame, or 1080i or higher delivering a picture of over 2,000,000 pixels.
• Aspect Ratio: capable of displaying a 16:9 image at the minimum resolution level. Should your HD set be a 4:3 natural display, the HD signal will be letter-boxed to a 16:9 aspect ratio, and the set manufacturer will identify the number of active scan lines: 540 in progressive or 810 for interlaced formats.
• Audio: receives, reproduces, and/or outputs Dolby 5.1 digital audio.

Tuner: receives all ATSC Table 3 formats and displays them in their original format (see chart below).

The ATSC Table 3 Formats for HDTV and SDTV Transmission. How will my HDTV be able to display all these formats?
Digital TV broadcasts will be received and decoded by your DTV¡¯s ATSC compliant built-in tuner or set top box. Set manufacturers will design their TV¡¯s so that they will either up-convert or down-convert the broadcast signal to their TV¡¯s ¡°native¡± display format, the format of the screen. As an example, Brand A may have decided that their set will display HD broadcasts in 1080i-30. Therefore the set will include circuitry that will convert any of the other 5 HD broadcast formats, (such as 720p-60) into the set¡¯s ¡°native¡± display of 1080i-30p. Similarly, that same set manufacturer may have selected 480p-60 as the ¡°native¡± display for all 12 Standard Definition broadcasts, and will use circuitry to up or down convert all SD broadcasts to that display. 

Remember, as you select your HDTV, that there are 2 different, but related sets of terminology. DTV broadcasts will fall under 2 classifications: High Definition (with 6 formats of transmission), and Standard Definition, with 12 different broadcast formats. DTV reception and display criteria have the same 6 formats for High Definition, and separate the other 12 formats into 2 subsets: Enhanced Definition for 480p,and Standard Definition at 480i. Your HDTV will be able to display all digital TV broadcasts, converted to the sets native display format, as designed by the manufacturer, with the use of it¡¯s ATSC tuner or set top box.

Why Are There Different Forms of DTV?
Networks and other over-the-air broadcasters have a specific amount of broadcast capacity, or bandwidth, in which to carry DTV signals. If a broadcaster wants to transmit the best picture quality (HDTV) it will require most of its available broadcast channel capacity. A broadcaster might choose the option to broadcast as many as 6 programs in the same channel at a lower definition (SDTV), or a mix of HDTV and one or two SDTV programs. 

Why so Many Formats With in DTV?
Analogue broadcasting is a world without choices. Every analogue television uses 480 lines, the same interlaced scanning at 30 frames (complete pictures) per second and the same 4:3 aspect ratio screen. This system is abbreviated as 480i or 480/30i.  

In comparison, the ATSC recommendations give broadcasters and viewers a world of choice. The signal for transmission may be scanned either Interlaced (i) or Progressive (p). Interlaced scanning means that each frame is sent as two ¡°fields¡± ¨C one with the odd-numbered scanning lines (A) and the next with even-numbered lines (B), similar to current TVs. In progressive scanning, all lines of the frame are scanned sequentially and sent as a single frame. There¡¯s also a choice of 24, 30 or 60 frames per second and a choice of standard 4:3 or wide-screen 16:9 aspect ratio. In total there are 18 formats, each suited to a specific purpose.

To receive HDTV in your home, you will need either an HD television with a built-in tuner to receive off-air broadcasts (where available), or an HD monitor with an appropriate set-top box for off-air, satellite or cable reception. Many people also connect their DVD players and VCR¡¯s to their HD set, as the resulting picture quality improvement can be substantial.
 
For off-air reception an antenna is required, either a simple indoor one if your home is near to the broadcasting station, or an outdoor one, if you live further away.

How do I get DTV or HDTV?

Receiving the DTV and HDTV signals over-the-air requires an antenna and a new DTV receiver that can decode the digital signals.? In general, an antenna that provides quality reception of over-the-air analog TV signals will work for DTV reception.

Cable and direct broadcast satellite (DBS) subscribes will need a new DTV receiver and other special equipment to receive DTV programming.? A ¡°Plug-and-Play¡± or ¡°Digital Cable Ready¡± DTV or other device will allow digital cable customers plugs directly into the cable jack and does not require a separate set-top box.? You must obtain a CableCARD from your cable company to receive scrambled digital programming and premium one-way services.? Also, a set-top box can be obtained directly from the cable or satellite provider.

How Do I Receive HDTV?

There are several components required to watch a program in HD. Generally, it's simple and just like receiving traditional TV: others require a separate set-top receiver. Three things must be true to watch HDTV:

The program must be transmitted in high-definition. Viewers can receive HDTV signals through one of three ways: over-the-air broadcast, cable, or direct broadcast satellite.

At the consumer¡¯s home, the signal must first go from the antenna, dish, cable through a receiver. Again, HDTV Sets have receivers built in (often referred to as "integrated sets"); others require a separate set-top receiver. Cable and satellite subscribers currently need a special HDTV set-top box.

The program must be viewed on an HDTV Set or Monitor. In addition to a receiver (integrated or via a set-top box), a consumer needs a standalone monitor or integrated set capable of displaying high-definition images.

Ways to Receive HDTV

Over-the-Air Broadcast

At this stage in the analog-to-HDTV transition, consumers need the right equipment for their specific programming wishes and the area in which they live. Currently, the predominant way to watch your local stations¡¯ HDTV channel is with an over-the-air antenna. Most cable and satellite providers do not yet carry your local digital channels (check with your cable or satellite provider). This is changing every day as more cable companies join the HDTV bandwagon. Until then, over-the-air HDTV reception is a free and spectacular viewing experience!

If you want over-the-air reception, you will need an antenna. The type of antenna required - rooftop or indoors - depends on your location, the distance from the station¡¯s transmitters and the local terrain. In many instances a rooftop antenna will be more effective, but you might have a set of old rabbit ears that work just fine. It varies from household to household. To find out what antenna works for your home, use the CEA antenna selector map program located at
www.antennaweb.org This easy-to-use online tool lets you enter your ZIP Code to see a map plotting your home¡¯s proximity to the various HDTV stations in your area. The site also tells you whether you will need a multi-directional or a uni-directional antenna. Again, CEA also has created a color-coded labeling system on antennas to further aide consumers when they shop.

How Do I know what to buy?

How do I know what to buy? Start by doing your homework just as you would for any long-lasting household purchase. This primer is a good start. CEA also collects HDTV retailer listings and posts this information on its website - www.ce.org/hdtvguide These retailer listings are part of a larger print and online resource titled the "HDTV Guide."

Additionally, CEA is working with other industries involved in the transition to promote HDTV and properly educate retail sales personnel so that once you set foot in a consumer electronics store, you¡¯ll be guided to the best HDTV purchase for your needs. See section 3, "What do I need to Get Digital TV?" for more information.

Buying an HDTV

The purchase of your HD television is a major investment for the home and will require serious consideration of your needs, budget, and how it will fit into with any existing electronics. Look over the Buyers Guide on this site for some of the things you will need to consider. Much useful information to assist in the decision-making is included in the section, Getting HDTV .

As a beginning, what are you looking for in the following areas?

?General: Ensure that the set you buy is either HD-Ready or has a built-in HD tuner. Some sets may offer Cable Ready capability also. Ensure that the set has proper inputs for receiving HD signals. You¡¯ll need component video inputs at a minimum, with DVI (Digital Visual Interface) or HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface), the new standard inputs, which are becoming more
common. Most HD and HD Ready sets come in the widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio, which is the way HD content is created.

?Screen size: Choose a size related to your room size and viewing environment. Viewing of HD at 3 - 4 times picture height is optimal. As an example, a screen of 40 in. diagonal, which has a height of 20 in. is best viewed at a distance of 5 to 7 feet. A 60 in. screen is best viewed at a distance of 8 to 12 feet.

?Direct view or rear projection: Direct view CRT or LCD screens are available to about 36 in. and plasma panels can be even bigger, but at a price premium. Rear projection televisions using CRT, LCD or DLP technology are available up to 65 ins. but are somewhat more limited in viewing angle, reducing the potential audience size. These technologies tend to be less expensive than plasma panels.

?External inputs: What is needed to connect your existing DVD player, VCR, camcorder, digital camera, or even a computer? Check the flexibility and availability of front and rear input jacks.

?Display flexibility: If you want to watch a variety of HD, SD, NTSC, and/or DVD sources originating from film and video, be sure the HD television can handle all those sources easily.

Check the available web information for HD televisions that potentially meet your needs. Click on the logos of the major US manufacturers to view their offerings, and compare them using our Buyers Guide. Visit the retailers in your area with the Buyers Guide in hand to review features and prices with the staff. Pay particular attention to picture and sound quality, flexibility and features to be sure of your facts.

Compare, contrast and evaluate against the objectives you have set. Which is the best package for you?

Once you have made your selection, visit the Connecting HDTV part of the site to be sure you have included all the necessary components to correctly install your purchase.

Types of DTV

The best television sets currently available are HDTVs with 16:9 widescreen aspect ratios capable of displaying either 720p, 1080i or higher resolutions. HDTV sets also have built-in digital receivers/decoders and deliver Dolby Digital sound. HDTV sets are available as either direct view (familiar tube TVs), rear or front projection models.

There are also HDTV monitors that offer the same high picture and sound quality as HDTV sets, but require separate receiver boxes to decode digital signals. HDTV monitors are available in either direct view, rear or front projection versions.

HDTV tuners are the key to the exciting new digital kingdom. You must have one - either inside or connected as a set-top box - in order to see DTV programs. HDTV tuners decode all ATSC formats and send 480p, 720p or 1080i signals to an HDTV monitor. It also outputs Dolby Digital audio. They are often called set-top boxes, receivers or digital decoders.

Like the highest quality HDTV, Enhanced Definition Television (EDTV) is an all-in-one unit¡ªa display with a built-in decoder in either direct view or rear projection design. In this case, you'll see at least a 480p image, rather than 720p or 1080i. The screen can either be square-shaped (4:3 aspect ratio) or widescreen (16:9). It receives, reproduces and outputs Dolby Digital sound.

An EDTV monitor has the same display parameters as an EDTV, but does not have a built-in decoder. Occasionally, this type of TV is referred to as a multimedia monitor.

The Enhanced Definition TV tuner receives all digital signals, but outputs them to a TV at 480p resolution, rather than 720p or 1080i.

Standard Definition TV (SDTV) sets deliver a digital picture that's better than your current analog TV, but less than the 480p of EDTVs. It has a built-in decoder, but no aspect ratio is specified by CEA.

The Standard Definition TV tuner is the one most owners of current analog TVs are expected to purchase in the years ahead. This tuner receives all digital formats and outputs an analog (NTSC) signal. However, it does handle Dolby Digital audio.

The Changing Shape of Television

New digital display technology (DDT) is enabling engineers to create widescreen TVs, flat TVs, wall TVs and, eventually, televisions that you can fold up like newspapers. Here is a layman¡¯s look at the basic terms that explain how digital display technology works:

Direct View TVs consist of a picture tube called a cathode ray tube (CRT) and range in screen size from less than a foot (measured diagonally) up to about 40¡±. These sets typically rest on a TV stand or tabletop.

Projection TVs are available in two basic configurations - front and rear projection.

The most popular are one-piece, self-contained rear projection systems with screen sizes ranging from 40-inches to 80-inches. In rear projection TVs the images are reflected by mirrors inside the set onto the screen. Many rear-projection models come complete with built-in surround sound, multi-channel audio systems that create a home theater experience in one unit.

Alternative, two-piece projection systems employ either front- or rear-firing projectors that can sit on small tables or are permanently mounted on ceilings to cast projected video images on separate video screens. These systems produce pictures of 100-inches and larger.

Currently, most TV projectors - front and rear - use a combination of three CRTs that project images in the red, green and blue color spectrum. It produces large full-color pictures when the three separate images converge on the screen. But new alternatives now further reduce size, eliminate problems related to the misalignment of the CRTs and produce brighter and sharper images. Liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS), digital light amplification (DLA) and digital light
processing (DLP) are examples of these newer display technologies.

Digital Light Processing (DLP) uses a digital micromirror device to modulate reflected light. An optical semiconductor chip also adds brightness and clarity to a large screen picture. On opening day in 1998, the Texas Rangers baseball team used DLP technology to display an HDTV picture of the game on an 18-foot diagonal screen.

Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCOS) technology manages ultra-bright light to deliver high-contrast, sharply focused color images. Utilizing one or three reflective light imagers and a sophisticated prism and lensing system, light is transformed into a laser-like beam and imprinted with a high definition image that is then magnified and displayed in a perfectly aligned widescreen format.

Digital Light Amplification (DLA) is an electronic valve technology that uses liquid crystal on silicon to enable manufacturers to create a brighter picture on a larger screen.

Flat Panel TVs can be hung on the wall like a picture. ¡°Flat panel¡± and ¡°flat screen¡± often are used interchangeably, but these are two distinct terms. A flat screen TV is not necessarily a flat panel TV. Many CRT displays have a flat screen rather than the traditional curved glass screen, but they are not flat panel and therefore, cannot be hung on the wall. Plasma and liquid crystal displays (LCD) are both flat panel display technologies.

Plasma Display Technology does not require a tube and enables manufacturers to create a larger flat-panel TV, up to 60-inches. A plasma display consists of pixels ¡ª gas in the plasma state reacts with phosphors in each sub-pixel to produce what engineers call ¡°colored light.¡± That explains how a plasma TV can display such a clear picture with the lights on.

Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) technology now is used on everything from digital clocks to microwaves.These thinner displays require less power than CRTs found in most televisions. Many TV makers are using LCDs to create ultra-thin sets that can display HDTV pictures.

Consumer Benefits of New Display Technologies: New digital display technology (DDT) can dramatically improve the clarity and brightness of the picture, particularly in a well-lit room. It will no longer be necessary to turn out the lights to view your favorite movie. DDT sets also provide distortion-free images at the corners and edges of the screen. A DDT set with HDTV will deliver the best picture available on the market. Additionally, the slimness of a flat panel TV will give consumers more options in organizing the home. Few can look at a flat-panel TV without saying, ¡°Wow.¡±

The Challenges in receiving HDTV

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  • Location

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    • Distance from transmit source

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      • Go to antennaweb.org

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      •  
        • Find out the distance from the transmit tower

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        • You can't be more than 60 miles from the transmission tower.

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      • Field experience has shown that digital TV signals are usually receivable farther out than analog signals. DTV signals also hold up better at much lower levels than analog.

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    • Distance from broadcast source will determine RF signal level received by the antenna.

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  • Obstructions

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    • Are there any buildings, steeples, towers, hills or other structures taller than four stories within four blocks of your location, airports within two miles of your location, and/or many nearby trees over 30 feet tall?

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    • Height is always important:

It is better to put the antenna outside up high rather than indoors or in the attic for the best reception.

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  • Interference

One of the most common causes of poor reception is strong signals from FM Radio and TV stations.  An FM TRAP (filter that remove FM stations) is sometimes necessary.   Your antenna brings in the whole broadcast spectrum, and this can overwhelm a receiver, just like a camera's flash "blinds" your eyes.  Too high a signal is just as bad as too little.  Remember: your antenna delivers ALL TV and FM stations to your DTV tuner at once. 
Thing to consider:

• An HDTV antenna should be thought of as a spotlight in reverse; it should pick up a signal from only ONE direction, and reject all other incoming angles of the same signal (reflections) bouncing off of  buildings, towers, et.  This bouncing is known in RF terms as multipath, and shows up as as a "ghost" or "smear" to the right of the image. 

• Don't try to "split the difference" when pointing your antenna between two digital stations coming from different directions.  If they're more than 30 degrees apart, use a rotor, or separate antennas.

• When using separate antennas, DON'T MOUNT VHF ANTENNAS (channels 2-6) ON THE SAME MAST, unless they have a 10 foot or more vertical separation, and 6 foot or more vertical separation for channels 7-13).   UHF yagi-style antennas can usually be mounted with about a 4 foot vertical separation.  If you are going to combine signals so that you have only one lead going into your house, use a channel filter for each antenna, so as not to pick up out-of phase signals or multipath through the other antenna.  Then and only then you may combine the signals through a combiner (a kind of "splitter" in reverse).

• IF YOU LIVE CLOSE TO AN HDTV STATION, you may have to install an ATTENUATOR to REDUCE the strength of the signal to a level that is useable by your HDTV receiving equipment. This is the equivalent of wearing sunglasses in bright sunlight.

• Do NOT use a 300 ohm antenna system.  Replace it with a 
  Highly Directional Antenna System, designed for a fully 
  shielded, Coaxial Cable antenna lead to your receiver.

• If you insist on using a 300 ohm antenna, use a "BALUN" to convert the 300 ohm impedance of the antenna to 72 ohms to match the impedance of the coaxial cable going to your TV set.  Then use 72 ohm, 100% shielded coaxial line to the TV or PC Card. 

• If you MUST use 300 ohm line, TWIST it 2-3 turns per foot
  to prevent it from picking up signals directly from the wire (multipath).

• AVOID USING AN ANTENNA WITH A BUILT-IN
  PREAMP, unless you are far away from any transmitter,
  including FM, 2-way radio, and especially cell towers.

• YOU MUST TERMINATE ALL UNUSED RF AND VIDEO
  coax lines from splitters and distribution amplifiers.  
  If you don't have a TV connected to a TV outlet jack in another room, install an RF Termination. Failure to do so could cause the reflected signal to corrupt
  the data stream, and may cause your signal to  "freeze" for no apparent reason, or with the  slightest bit of additional multipath or interference.

• If you install a system near a Radio, FM, HAM, Cell Phone, or other tower, or other source of radiation, INCLUDING SOME MICROWAVE OVENS, use a TV-Bandpass Filter between your TV antenna and your TV receiver.

• There are many potential causes of emissions (unwanted RF or interference) that might prevent you from receiving HDTV, or cause your HDTV picture to "FREEZE."  Most can be detected by a portable AM RADIO, that is NOT tuned to any station, just static.   Listen for an INCREASE IN STATIC or  "CLICKING" Noise as you go from room to room, or towards a suspected source.  This is how I found RF interference coming from my SONY Weather Radio.  Every time the green fluorescent light on the front panel flashed, a burst of RF (Radio Frequency(s)) was emitted.  Other sources of Digital Television Interference  include, but are not limited to:

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  • Power distribution grids that emit "static,"
  • Especially poles with lightning arrestor banks
  • Caused by bad grounds.
  • Ignition "noise" from parked or passing cars, motorcycles, lawnmowers, et.
  • Portable home telephones, Cell Phones, and (digital) 2-way radio equipment
  • Starting circuits on motors, pumps, and air conditioners.
  • RF emissions from fax machines, computers, "screw-in" type florescent lamps with electronic ballasts, and even some battery charges for laptops, camcorders, et.
  • Home and industrial lighting dimmers
  • Appliances, including other TV's
  • Battery operated Tools (drills especially) and Toys
  • Common tube-type florescent lamps, especially towards the end of their life when they "flicker"  
  • The program data being sent by the Off-Air TV station.
  • Weather
  • Post the CheckHD.com logo on your company's web site and on other related promotional materials
  • List and maintain your retail locations on the CheckHD.com Buyer's Guide. Participant locations will be included on the complete list of all retailers available and will be made available on the Buyer's Guide print-out, based on the selections of the consumer.
  • List and maintain your digital products on the CheckHD.com Buyer's Guide. These products will be made available on the Buyer's Guide print-out, based on the selections of the consumer.
  • Today¡¯s favorite: ?TitanTV will continue to look for your favorite Movies, Actors, Shows and Sports even when you're not on the site! The Command Center is the new home page of your TitanTV experience. TitanTV will be looking for your favorite movies, programs and actors even when you are away from TitanTV. Simply click on the Add a New Favorite link and tell TitanTV your favorite movies, actors and/or shows and the next time they appear in our program listings data, we will let you know in this valuable new section of TitanTV. And, you can even opt to receive a TitanTV Daily Summary Email of all of your Favorites for the current day
  • Tomorrow¡¯s favorites
  • Favorite Movies
  • Favorite Actors
  • Favorite Shows
  • Wizard
    1. Today¡¯s HDTV listings
    2. HDTV Update - These programs are being broadcast in High - Definition (HD) today. To see if they are available in HD at your address, login or sign up as a member of TitanTV. For episode information and details, simply click on the program title.
    3. Antenna Selector: By filling out a form, TitanTV can tell you which antenna you will need to receive Digital Stations at your address.
    4. Digital Stations Coming Soon: The table below lists the stations you will be able to receive when they begin broadcasting a digital signal as well as the date they are projected to go live.
    5. Digital Broadcast Calculator: Shows a list of Live digital stations for your address

  DTV/HDTV Tools:

Other factors affecting HDTV reception

Analog (NTSC) TV signals are pretty simple. The strength of the signal related directly to the picture you get. Strong signal-good picture, weaker signal and you get snow. With Digital signals, you either get a good picture or nothing. And it could be the broadcast stations fault.? If the station¡¯s encoder is not programmed correctly, there may be conflicts between the information sent to your DTV receiver and it may have problems demodulating the signal. What you need to know is that the problem may not be with the antenna, set-top receiver or integrated TV, but the incoming signal

CheckHD Programming Guide
CheckHD is an effective way to reach consumers curious to know if HDTV is available in their area, how to receive it and where to learn more about it. CheckHD takes the guesswork out of DTV by supplying programming information, product specifications and general questions and answers. CEA is proud to have its consumer education brochure, HDTV Guide and URL for CEA's own DTV informational website posted under the 'education' link on CheckHD.com
With over 102 million households now capable of receiving an over-the-air (OTA) digital broadcast, about 700 high-definition OTA shows airing every two weeks, and a growing number of affordable HDTVs in the retail stores, you can imagine the number of consumers out there today wondering what this "HD" thing means for them. The only step left in the transition is to take the viewers from wondering about digital TV to buying digital TV. The solution is CheckHD.com.

CheckHD is a cross-industry, cross-network collaborative effort to educate consumers about the benefits of digital and high-definition broadcasting. It provides three basic sections of digital TV information answering: What is digital TV?, Can I get digital TV? and What do I need to get DTV? The first section includes an outstanding guide to HDTV provided by the CEA, an FAQ section, as well as terms and definitions. The second step tells viewers what specific channels and programs they can receive at their address and their options for getting them.

CheckHD launched October 4, 2004. In the last few weeks, broadcast groups like Sinclair, Capitol Broadcasting, Pegasus and Quincy have joined a growing roster of industry leaders, including the major networks, the CEA and the NAB to promote the site upon its official release.
CheckHD.com is poised for success as the entire broadcast and CE industries have joined forces to support this excellent consumer DTV education solution. All CheckHD participants will be driving a significant amount of traffic to the site by promoting CheckHD on their web sites, in Public Service Announcements, on-air promos and in press announcements.

Your company can capitalize on this traffic by becoming a CheckHD sponsor or participant - ensuring your brand is included or even displayed with preferential placement on the site.
Basic Participation in CheckHD
FREE to participate! Requirements include:

Sponsorships with premium branding exposure on the main Buyer's Guide selection page are also available.
Show your commitment to advancing the digital TV transition and participate in the CheckHD initiative! Call 1-800-672-0074 for more information.

TitanTV

TitanTV.com, created and maintained by Decisionmark Corp., is the first and only household-level electronic program guide on the Internet that is connected to broadcasters. Decisionmark, with its patented technologies and relationships with local broadcast affiliates, is the definitive source for what¡¯s on TV at any given location. Because of the close relationships with broadcasters, TitanTV is the only program guide that receives real-time programming updates and accurate technical information regarding reception strength.  

The foundation of this web site is Decisionmark's proprietary data and patented Geneva technology, which allows TitanTV? to provide household-level information.  The Geneva technology predicts signal strength at a given address and incorporates broadcast signal area data; helping determine which channels you can receive at your house.  You may ask why household-level detail is important?  In order to build an accurate interactive content guide, you must first determine which channels you are expected to receive at your location.  This becomes increasingly important as more and more TV stations begin broadcasting over-the-air digital signals.

The second-to-none information the company possesses has served as the springboard for catapulting the company into the leadership position for household-level television broadcast signal predictions and content listings. The company has established strong business relationships with television networks, local broadcasters, DTV manufacturers, antenna manufacturers, industry associations and a number of computer industry companies.  

Your Favorite Programs:

It's easy to set up your Command Center-simply click on any category that you would like to set up-Movies, Actors, or Shows and TitanTV will walk you through choosing the specific topics that you want to be notified about. Then, let TitanTV do the work for you. On subsequent visits, simply go to the Command Center and find out which of your Favorites is available. Plan your TV viewing¡­never miss your favorite movies, actors or shows again.

The Command Center also boasts access to messages from your broadcasters. Get the latest updates from your local broadcast affiliates on programming changes, new shows and special features. TitanTV is the only program listings guide that provides you with updates directly from your favorite local stations.

In addition to managing your Favorites and receiving messages from broadcasters, the Command Center also provides a Today's HDTV section that shows you in one quick view all of the High Definition programs that are available at your specific location.

TitanTV will now remind you of your favorite programs-you can choose reminders from Outlook, view your current reminders in the Command Center or receive a daily reminder email with all of the shows that are important to you that day.

Contact Michael Sherman at msadvertising@aol.com or call 662-893-8360 anytime