DTV does not mean HDTV!

I just finished watching an entertaining article on WNIT a local channel in my little town in Indiana.  The premise of the show was the digital TV switch over coming in February.  The show, along with many people are sadly confused when it comes to technology and what really is going on.  For example on the show they were interchanging the words Digital TV and HDTV as if they were the same thing.  In reality they’re not!  Digital TV just describes the method of which the signal is sent/received.  HDTV is about a resolution.  A Digital signal can be many different resolutions, including the highest 1920 x 1080 (aka 1080p), or it can be the lowest 480i (aka SDTV).  The entire show they were putting out that anyone with any TV could receive TV channels in High Definition format after connecting the digital converter box.  This couldn’t be further form the truth!

  There are a couple of factors that you can’t ignore.  First, it depends on what resolution the signal is sent out at.  2nd, it also depends on how high of a resolution your TV supports.  If you have an old “Table TV” from the 60′s and hook up the digital converter box you will not be getting HDTV.  You will be getting the same 480i channel only in a digital format.  It really is entertaining yet at the same time frustrating that these corporations and groups can lead people astray like this.  Just wait, I’m sure lawsuits will emerge because people were tricked into believing their thirty year old TV would be able to be upgraded to High-Def.  I joke now but it could become a very real possibility and a sad one at that.  Why am I writing about this on a tech blog where the readers who come here more than likely already know the difference?  Just as a reminder.  Wherever you are and whoever you are with, if you hear DTV and HDTV being used interchangeably, stop and correct the person(s) involved.  The only way ignorance or just simple misinformation can be helped is if people take the time to correct it.

Author: Mike Norris

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Gadget lover, smartphone collector, and beer connoisseur. I've been writing about gadgets for three years now and loving every minute of it. Outside of the digital landscape, I enjoy being active outdoors. I'm always up for a good conversation, so feel free to drop me a line!