HDTV Regulations
The essential difference between conventional TV and HDTV (high-definition television) is the superior picture and sound quality -- the result of an increase in the number of lines of electrons scanning across the back of the screen. Conventional TV sets produce 525 scan lines per image, each consisting of around 300 dots. The HD produces over 1,000 lines with about 1,000 dots per line. The picture quality of HD is equal to the photographs taken by 35 mm camera.
Other People Are Reading
-
History
-
During the late 1960s, Japanese experts became involved in researching the advanced system of producing video images that utilized projected 35 mm film. This advance system become known as HDTV. During the early 1980s, HDTV was introduced in the U.S. and immediately became a topic of interest to broadcasters.
Early Beginnings
-
The FCC (Federal Communications Commission), the U.S. agency that regulates communications, became involved with the HDTV developments in 1987. Broadcasters quickly became aware of the possibilities presented by the alternative modes of HDTV transmission, providing an array with less constraints. Such opportunity procured in forming a coalition of 58 broadcasting organizations. On February 21, 1987, they petitioned the FCC to initiate a proceeding to inquire and explore the issues of HDTV.
-
Early Proceedings
-
After the petition took place, the FCC decided the subject needed attention and opened a Notice of Inquiry to include technical and public policy issues. The FCC also appointed and Advisory Committee on Advance Television Service. The committee's primary concern was to advise the FCC on facts and developments related to advanced television service and to recommend policies, standards and regulations that would enable the proper introduction.
Chronology of Decisions
-
In 1987, the FCC ruled that HDTV standards need to be compatible with the existing UHF and VHF frequency bands. In 1988, it had as many as 23 different proposal standards. By 1990, those evolved and the FCC announced HDTV would be broadcast simultaneously with a preference towards full HDTV, rather than EDTV (a previously proposed reduced resolution standard). During the years, the concept evolved. By 1993, the FCC decided to place further testing upon the alliance of companies so that the best features of previous testing would be used to form a unique HDTV standard.
Later Developments
-
By 1995, the systems were in place and HDTVs were available for purchasing by 1998. Moreover, the FCC stipulated that the top ten markets needed to start digital broadcasts by April 1999 -- followed by digital broadcasts in the top 20 markets. Currently the FCC standards dictates HDTV format should be 1920 of horizontal pixels by 1080 of vertical pixels, and contains digital surround sound.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit modern tv 404 image by chrisharvey from Fotolia.com
