Feeding your HDTV video system an actual HDTV signal makes a world of difference. I recently worked on the installation of a very high-end home theater system (six figure price tag on this job) and when the time came to test it, it was hard to watch anything but a true HDTV channel on the big 20 foot projection screen.
A high definition television system has a native resolution and every signal is either scaled up or scaled down until it matches this native resolution. The optimum situation is to feed it a signal that matches the native resolution so no scaling is required.
When a standard definition tv signal is displayed on an HDTV, the result is like looking at a low quality JPEG photo. All of the artifacts in the image are magnified. When you switch to a true HDTV image it's like someone cleaned a layer of dirt off of the tv. Everything becomes much clearer and more vivid. So, how do you get a true HDTV signal into your new home theater system?
Tuning in to HDTV Channels
The three primary ways of getting an HDTV signal into your home theater system are: over-the-air, cable, and satellite broadcasts. Let's take a closer look at these options.
Getting HDTV Over-The-Air
It might come as a surprise, but over 99% of US homes have at least one television station with a digital broadcast and 85% of all US homes have 5 or more stations broadcasting digitally. These are the major networks that you watch every day. Many of them have HDTV broadcasts. Before you go any further, look for local HDTV signals available in your area (www.hdtvpub.com.)
If you are planning to get most of your HDTV programming over-the-air, it makes sense to shop around for an HDTV with a built-in (ATSC) tuner. Many HDTVs (and almost all video projectors) do not have a built-in tuner. If you are building your home theater around a video projector, or plan to buy an HDTV without a built in tuner, you will have to invest in an HDTV (ATSC) tuner (like the Samsung SIR-T451) to access over-the-air broadcasts.
Once you have worked out the tuner issues, you need an antenna to get the broadcast out of the air and into your HDTV. The distance between your house and your local TV stations broadcast transmitter, and the power of the transmission they send out, will determine whether an old fashioned pair of 'rabbit ears' will work or whether you need a more robust antenna up on the roof. AntennaWeb's antenna mapping program (www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.asp) is a resource that will help you find where the local broadcast transmitters are in your area and point you to the type of antenna you'll need to put on the roof.
Check with your local tv stations to determine what over-the-air HDTV programming they offer. This will vary station by station and market by market, but the number of channels available is steadily growing. You may get a better mix of network HD broadcasts over-the-air than through your cable or satellite provider - and they're free!
Getting HDTV Through Cable
To get HDTV programming from your local cable company you will need an HD compatible cable box (usually your cable provider will provide this for a small monthly fee) and a subscription to HD programming.
The amount of HDTV content broadcast over cable channels is growing every day. Check with your local cable company to determine what channels they offer in HD. They will likely have several different packages available.
Most HDTV cable service will provide excellent results. But, the quality of the signal that arrives at your home depends on the quality of the wiring network that your cable company maintains. In some instances this can lead to lower picture quality. If you plan to go with a cable solution, ask around and find out if others in your area are happy with the service.
Special Note: Digital Cable Service is not the same as HD Cable Service. Most digital service is still standard definition. You must purchase service that is specifically marketed as HDTV to get HDTV programming.
Getting HDTV Through Satellite
If you have an unobstructed view of the southern sky, you can get your HDTV programming from one of the major satellite systems. DISH Networks, DirecTV, and VOOM are the major players in this market. Each offers a growing collection of HD channels and, if you live in a remote area, they may be your only option.
To get satellite programming you need to get an HD compatible satellite dish, an HD compatible receiver, and subscribe to an HDTV satellite programming service. Usually you can get all three as part of a package. If you have existing satellite service you may need to upgrade your hardware to become HD compatible. Check with your service provider to determine what upgrades you'll need and if they are offering any special incentives to upgrade to HD.
Enjoy Your New View
Once you've got true HDTV running through your digital home theater, you'll be amazed at the difference it makes in your entertainment experience. You may find yourself skipping your favorite standard definition program just to watch anything in HD - it's that beautiful.
Andrew Seltz is a Go-To Guy. His love of technology and movies has led him to work installing high definition video theaters in private homes and commercial venues. His articles appear on http://www.ColossalTV.com - the place to get answers for your digital home theater questions.