(D.H.T.C.S.)A Video History

In 1995 the NTSC (National Television Systems Committee) adopted new formats for Television Broadcasts as well they adopted a new name, ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee).

The new broadcast formats were numerous with several different way of displaying the information broadcasted. All combined these formats are known as DTV (Digital Television), and in February 2009 all Analog or Antenna transmitted signals will no longer be available. The Television as we have come to know has and will change drastically, in three ways. The picture we were watching, unchanged since 1953, the stereo sound, the colors, and the picture qualities have changed, the first change in television viewing in over 42 years. The shape of the picture has also changed, from squared to rectangle, from 4:3 (1.33:1) in aspect to 16:9 (1.85:1). The Motion Picture Industry on the other hand, may film many of their features in the higher aspect ratios, 2.35:1 or 2.40:1 to as high as 2.70:1, and as of 2006 the newer features at 1.85:1, with a Pan and Scan version on special discs of 1.33:1.

First, the television would be broken down into three new formats; the television, the monitor, and the receiver, the television being made up of the monitor and the receiver. Two parts combined, yes, but, three ways to watch. The three new televisions were designated SDTV (Standard Definition Television), EDTV (Enhanced Definition Television), and HDTV (High Definition Television), with three possible types of programming, Analog, Digital, and High Definition.

Secondly, the format accepted for the new format Digital broadcasts, would determine which of the three types of television designations the average consumer would be forced to purchase.

SDTV Monitor:

- any monitor or display 4:3 in aspect ratio (ratio between the width and the height, also know as 1.33:1 on a DVD) showing standard analog signals, and digital signals up to 480i (“i” for interlaced) at the 4:3 aspect ratio, in other words; our every-day television screen.
SDTV Receiver:

- any receiver (the tuner in the television), which allows reception of any analog signal and digital signals up to 480i.
SDTV Television:

- any combined monitor and receiver capable of receiving and displaying any analog signal, and digital signal up to 480i, in the 4:3 aspect ratio.

EDTV Monitor:

- any monitor or display 4:3 in aspect ratio (ratio between the width and the height, also know as 1.33:1 on a DVD) showing standard analog signals, and digital signals, 480i (“i” for interlaced) and 480p (“p” for progressive) and 1080i, in other words; the new flat screen television. 1080i is the lowest form of High Definition broadcast via cable or satellite, and will be displayed with a black bar at the top and bottom of the screen.
EDTV Receiver:

- any receiver (the tuner in the television), which allows reception of any analog signal and digital signals up to 480i, 480p, and 1080i.
EDTV Television:

- any combined monitor and receiver capable of receiving and displaying any analog signal, and digital signals 480i, 480p, and 1080i in the 4:3 aspect ratio.

HDTV Monitor:

- any monitor or display 16.9 in aspect ratio (ratio between the width and the height, also know as 1.85:1 on a DVD) showing standard analog signals, and digital signals, 720p (“p” for interlaced) and 1080i, in other words; the new wide-screen television. 720p is the standard form of High Definition broadcast, and will fit the 16:9 screens properly. If course it will also display the lower formats of the digital and analog broadcasts.
HDTV Receiver:

- any receiver (the tuner in the television), which allows reception of all analog and digital signals up to 720p, and 1080i, and allow the Dolby Digital audio to be passed through to an existing Digital Home Theatre system.
HDTV Television:

- any combined monitor and receiver capable of receiving and displaying all analog and digital signals 720p, and 1080i in the 16:9 aspect ratio and allow the Dolby Digital audio to be passed through to an existing Digital Home Theatre system.

Consider a simple fact, every television and TV monitor in North America, will be High Definition or HDTV compliant by the year 2015. The sources of information displayed on the Television monitor has changed from VHS, SVHS and DVD to the formats of higher definition sources such as HD DVD and Blue Ray with greater changes to come.