Digital television is the process of broadcasting television signals via digital means, as opposed to using the analog transmissions of the past. Digital television provides better picture and sound quality and extended channel choices, as well as interactive capabilities that weren't possible with previous analog signals.
Understanding Digital Television
Digital television works because a digital signal is carried over multiple channels. This stream or streams of digital data is sent over the channel by various broadcasting companies. One major benefit of the digital transmission of data, as opposed to the analog transmission, is that more than one stream can be sent over a single channel in a process known as multi-casting. This is how digital television offers such a wide range of channels and more advanced features compared to its analog predecessor. Since the new technology allows faster and easier transmission of data, the features and offerings can be improved.
The recent transition in the United States from analog to digital television signals has resulted in the availability of many more channels with much greater quality for the average viewer. Digital signals, however, must be received by a digital tuner. This means that the television used to pick them up must be compatible with digital in order for the television to work. Most newer televisions have built-in compatibility.
If your TV is not digital-ready, the television can either be hooked up to a cable service that provides decoding for digital signals, or it can be outfitted with a converter box to allow the decryption of digital signals into analog, which can then be read by the television set. Such convertor boxes are available from electronics stores and other sources. The government website established for the Digital TV Transition can provide you with more details about exactly what equipment you will need to maintain your television picture on an older television set.
If you have legal questions about the switch to digital television, please get in touch with an attorney.