How to Switch to High Definition TV

High definition television, or HDTV, provides a significantly higher resolution than analog television. This means that the picture that you see is clearer and crisper than on an older analog television. To switch to high definition television, you need an HD television and the ability to receive an HD signal, either from your cable provider or through over-the-air digital television, or DTV, transmissions.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• HD-capable television
• HD cable or HDTV tuner

1. Buy an HD-ready or HD-capable television. One of these televisions has the resolution to take advantage of HD input, as well as the input connections to receive HD transmissions.

2. Contact your cable or satellite provider and determine if your package includes HD channels. If it does, switch to a package that does include HD channels. If you do not have cable or satellite, or if you also wish to receive broadcast HD, continue to the next steps.

3. Determine if your HDTV has a built-in HDTV tuner or if it's "HD ready" and does not contain the tuner. If it does not have a built-in tuner, purchase one. The tuner will allow your television to decode the HD over-the-air broadcasts.

4. Purchase an HD antennae. Regardless of whether your television has a tuner, you will need an antennae to receive broadcast channels.

5. Connect your antenna to your tuner and the tuner to your television following the directions for your particular models. Your television will now be set up to receive and display broadcast television in HD.

Tips & Warnings

• DTV conversion boxes do not send your computer an HD signal, but rather convert HD and digital signals to analog for older television sets.

References

• DTV.gov
• Antenna Help