How to Get HD Channels on TV
High-definition television has a much clearer picture and audio sound than standard analog or digital televisions. High definition is a separate signal that is transmitted to your cable box, and you must have a special box from your cable provider as well as a television that can broadcast the HD signal.
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Instructions
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Check your television to see if it can broadcast an HD signal. HD televisions are a 16x9 aspect ratio, rather than a 4x3 - meaning that they are wider than regular televisions.
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Check with your cable provider about acquiring a special box that is able to take in and transmit HD signals to your television. Many cable companies charge an additional fee for using these boxes, which can be anywhere from $5 to $10 a month.
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Plug in the power sources to both your television and the cable box.
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Set up your HD cable box to your television by plugging in the corresponding cables from the box to the television. Most HD cable boxes can be set up by the TV owner and do not require the cable company to come to your home.
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Turn on your television and cable box and turn to the designated HD channels. You will now be able to watch HD television programs on the designated HD channels, as well as be able to watch standard programs on other channels.
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Tips & Warnings
If you turn on standard definition programs on your HD television, you will see black bars on the side of the screen. If the program is available on an HD channel, these bars will not appear.
Today's FCC regulations require that all broadcasts be in a digital format, which is a term to define how the signal is sent to your home. Instead of the previous analog format, a digital format is faster, clearer and sounds better. This doesn't mean that all transmissions need to be in HD, so you are not required to have an HD television to see broadcasts.
