- What is HDTV?
- What equipment will I need in order to view HD programming?
- Do I need a new television to view an HD signal?
- Will Cox High Definition Cable support plasma TVs?
- Is digital cable the same thing as HDTV (High Definition Television)?
- How is a high-definition television set-top box different from my current digital set-top box?
- What is the difference between “HD-ready" and "HD-capable" TVS?
- What is the difference between DTV, HDTV, and SDTV?
- Why is Cox High Definition Cable better than satellite?
- I keep hearing about 720p and 1080i signal formats. What is Cox going to support?
- 4:3, 16:9, widescreen, sidebars, letterbox, stretch, pan and scan --- what does it all mean?
- Will I be able to view tapes with my VCR/DVD on my HDTV?
- How will high-definition programming look on my regular analog television?
1. What is HDTV?
High-definition television (HDTV) is a high-resolution digital TV format. A high-definition TV signal has up to two times the color resolution and a picture that is up to six times sharper than that provided by a traditional TV set. HDTV also provides enhanced audio, such as Dolby Digital ® .
2. What equipment will I need to view HD programming?
An HDTV set and an HD set-top receiver are required. Subscription to the Cox HD Cable Service is also required.
3. Do I need a new television to view an HD signal?
You must have an HD-capable TV to view any of our high-definition programming in high-definition format.
4. Will Cox High Definition Cable support plasma TVs?
Most plasma TVs will have a YPbPr component input and be capable of supporting HDTV in 1080i format. Please consult your owner's manual or the manufacturer's website to verify HD capability of your plasma set.
5. Is digital cable the same thing as HDTV (High Definition Television)?
No. The Cox HD Cable Service refers to a type of digital cable that is at a higher-resolution than Cox Digital Cable. In order to receive Cox High Definition Cable, you must have an “HDTV-capable” television set, an HD set-top receiver from Cox, and a subscription to HD Cable Service from Cox.
6. How is an HD set-top receiver different from my current digital set-top?
The HD set-top receiver is similar in appearance to your current digital set-top box. However, the HD set-top receiver has the component inputs and outputs that will allow us to pass HD signals to your HDTV set.
7. What is the difference between “HD-ready" and "HD-capable" TVs?
Today's HDTV sets come in two forms: HD-ready and HD-capable. HD-ready sets have an HDTV receiver/decoder built-in, while HD-capable sets simply act as a monitor and require the addition of an external receiver/decoder to receive high-definition signals. Since most HD-ready sets only include receivers for off-air broadcasts (i.e., signals that are received using an antenna), you will still need a separate HDTV receiver to view HDTV programs with Cox High Definition Cable.
8. What is the difference between DTV, SDTV, and HDTV?
First there was traditional, analog TV that we all grew up with. Then within the last decade, digital television (DTV) emerged with its vivid pictures and sounds, using the same coding technologies that make CDs and DVDs so much more appealing than traditional analog media.
Within the DTV arena, there is standard-definition (SD) TV and high-definition (HD) TV. Both SDTV and HDTV signals are transmitted digitally to the digital set-top receiver, which decodes the signal and passes it to the TV set. The SDTV signal, because it is transmitted digitally, is sharper and clearer than the traditional, analog TV signal. The HDTV signal is the highest resolution digital TV format. 9. Why is Cox High Definition Cable better than satellite?
Cox High Definition Cable is easier to subscribe to and install, and with the inclusion of local channels, we offer more programming than satellite. In addition to HBO HD and Showtime HD, which are available with your paid digital subscription to HBO and/or Showtime, Cox will deliver the local versions of NBC HD, CBS HD and ABC HD, and national PBS HD programming. Satellite TV may never be able to offer local hi-def channels due to bandwidth limitations.
10. I keep hearing about 720p and 1080i signal formats. What is Cox going to support?
Cox High Definition Cable will work with high-definition televisions capable of receiving the 720p and 1080i formats.
11. 4:3, 16:9, Widescreen, Sidebars, Letterbox, Stretch, Pan and Scan --- what does it all mean?
4:3 (width: height) is the standard television shape. HDTVs have been manufactured in both 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios.
16:9 (width: height) is the shape of most HDTVs, although some HDTVs have been designed with a 4:3 aspect ratio.
Widescreen is a term used for the 16:9 aspect ratio. Most HDTV sets are easy to identify because of their wide screens, which closely resemble their movie theater counterparts.
Sidebars are black bands on each side of the picture. Sidebars are the result of displaying square-image content (standard-definition, 4:3, 480i, 480p) in a rectangular screen area (16:9, 720p, 1080i). You can usually reformat the picture fill the screen area by removing the sidebars with the STRETCH feature or by changing the picture format from the Settings Menu.
Letterbox describes the black bands above and below the picture. The letterbox appears when displaying HD content on a 4:3 aspect ratio TV. You can usually reformat the picture fill the screen area by removing the letterboxed bands with the STRETCH and ZOOM feature or by changing the picture format from the Settings Menu.
Pan and Scan are tools that can be used to present 16:9 content onto a 4:3 television.
12. Will I be able to view tapes and DVDs with my VCR/DVD on my HDTV?
Yes, HDTVs will allow for VCR and DVD connections. Please consult your VCR and DVD owner's manual or manufacturer's website to determine if your equipment is capable of HD playback.
13. How will high-definition programming look on my regular analog television?
Regular analog TV sets are not capable of displaying high definition programming.
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