Frequently Asked Questions About HDTV
- Q: What is DTV?A: DTV is Digital TV, a new way of sending pictures to you from our station. DTV packages information like computers do. DTV technology makes it possible to send clear, ghost free pictures over the air. It also adds many capabilities to TV that you currently have in personal computersQ: What is HDTV?A: HDTV is High Definition TV and is one of the many Digital TV Standards. High Definition TV transmits a high-quality picture that is comparable to film. Its most common forms are 720 Progressive (720P) or 1080 Interlaced (1080I). 720 means 720 lines of video per frame. 1080 means 1080 lines of video per frame. P means progressive scanning, while I means interlaced scanning. Current standard definition TV transmits only about 480 usable lines in each interlaced frame.Q: Can all DTV sets receive HDTV?A: Not necessarily. Those that are ATSC (Advanced Television Standards Committee http://www.atsc.org .) compatible can. DTV merely means the signal is transmitted in a digital manner but still using 480 lines. HDTV is also digital, but of a higher quality (720 or 1080 lines).Q: When did WBAL-TV start transmitting DTV?A: WBAL-DT began operations on December 8th, 1999.Q: Is a Wide- Screen Picture always HD?A: Wide-Screen is certainly the preferred format for HD, however not all Wide-Screen is High Definition, nor is a smaller screen necessarily Standard Definition (SD). HD really refers to the material that is sent to an HD encoder for transmission. For example, several NBC shows are shot in the traditional 4x3 Aspect Ratio used by current Television, however it is scanned in as a High Definition source. This offers picture quality equal to that seen in a movie theater and is considered HD. On the other hand, sending a standard 4x3 signal into an HD encoder and "line doubling" will produce a 16x9 picture at the same bit rate as HD, but is not considered an HD signal.Q: I hear all kinds of odd expressions regarding Channel Numbers for DTV. Can you explain?A: As mentioned above, DTV works like a computer. Just as you can download multiple files at the same time over the internet, DTV can send multiple channels (called minor-channels) on the same main channel. The minor-channels are referred to with a dash (-) and then a minor-channel number. Our main HD signal is carried on Channel 11-1 (11 is the main, -1 the minor). Our InstaWeather Plus weather channel is located on Channel 11-2. There could be more offerings of minor channels in the future. If so, they will automatically appear as choices on your TV receiver when they become available.Q: You mention Channels 11-1 and 11-2. I understand you really broadcast on Channel 59.A: That is true, but again thanks to Computer Technology, we send a special data signal that groups our HD together with our standard definition channel 11 on your TV tuner. This makes it easy for over-the-air viewers to keep our Standard, HD, and Weather Plus signals together for easier viewing.Q: Are there any other special data services available on the HD signal?A: PSIP (Program Services Information Protocol) contains a number of special data services. In addition to offering the Channel Tuning feather above (called Virtual Channel Tables or VCT), we also transmit an over-the-air Program Guide. This guide is updated daily and provides information on all WBAL-DT shows including their time of airing and a brief description of the show. This works in a manner similar to Satellite Channel guides. We also offer closed captioning services on 11-1 for those who are hearing-impaired.Q: Why are there black or gray bars surrounding the picture sometimes on 11-2 or 11-3?A: When an over-air broadcast program transmitted in standard-definition (4:3 aspect ratio) is viewed on a wide-screen (16:9 aspect ratio) HDTV, the receiver centers the image on the screen and puts black or gray bars on either side. These are known as sidebars and are the opposite to what we've become accustomed to on standard TV. When wide-screen shows are displayed on a Standard Definition receiver there will be black or gray bars on the top and bottom of the screen (known as letterboxing)Q: What is burn-in?A: When an object stays steady on a screen for a long time, that image can damage the display, literally burning into the screen, If you consistently watch standard-definition (4:3 aspect ratio) programming on a wide-screen (16:9 aspect ratio) DTV screen , you may find that the edge of the sidebars are burned into the screen. This can ruin your DTV's ability to display colors evenly across the screen. Newer screens have less problems with this than those made even 3 years ago.Q: How do I avoid burn-in?A: Your DTV screen or receiver may have picture size adjustment features (zoom, stretch, etc.) that can be used to remove the black bars (thereby preventing burn-in) WBAL-DT 11-1 does currently broadcast a wider-screen signal at all times (both HD and Upconverted SD) to limit this problem for our viewers. WBAL-DT 11-2 broadcasts in 4x3 aspect ratio with gray sidebars. Consult your manual to see if burn-in is an issue. If it is, we suggest you use the zoom or stretch features to make sure even 4x3 signals are received in a 16x9 format.Q: I would like to buy an HDTV Set. How expensive are they?A: Just like other electronic devices, HDTV's have a price range. The lower end receivers cost about $900. High End Receivers are over $10,000. The difference is in ; the type of screen, the resolution of the picture, and the cost of the tuner. Picture tube models are the cheapest, but they are BIG! Plasmas and LCD's are flat-panel type screens but can be costly. DLP's are projector-type TV's and are usually the most affordable. In addition to a screen, you need to purchase an HDTV tuner. Keep that in mind when purchasing. Not all screens come with tuners, but you must have a tuner of some kind to receive HDTV.Q: I’ve heard DTV sets need additional equipment to receive DTV. What else is required?A: As mentioned directly above, the DTV tuner (sometimes called a converter or decoder) is necessary for some current sets. DTV sets with built-in tuners however are becoming more available.Q: Are there any low-cost alternatives for receiving DTV?A: You can receive DTV on a standard TV set using two alternatives; set top converter boxes and plug-in computer tuners. A set-top box will allow you to receive a DTV picture and display it on your regular TV. The computer tuner will allow you to decode and receive DTV signals using your personal computer.Q: Can I receive WBAL-DT over my cable?A: WBAL-DT is carried on several cable systems in the Baltimore area. Consult your cable channel lineup to find the exact digital channel. Cable companies require a digital cable box and a HDTV display in order to receive DTV signals via cable.Q: Why should I buy a DTV receiver when these set-top boxes or computer cards are so inexpensive?A: DTV pictures are transmitted using a wider screen. Your conventional TV set or computer monitor will not display the complete, wide screen picture.Q: Why should I buy a decoder card if I can’t see the wide-screen picture?A: There are other advantages to digital including the elimination of ghosts and noise in the picture. In theory, if you can receive WBAL-DT, the digital picture quality is the same whether you are 5 miles or 50 miles from the station’s antenna.Q: My current TV says it is “Digital Ready”. Does that mean it can get DTV signals?A: Maybe or maybe not. Digital Ready usually means there is an input on your TV that can accept input from a Digital Tuner box. Before you purchase a DTV Ready set, make sure that an HDTV tuner is currently available for your TV and that it will receive all ATSC formats.Q: I can’t afford DTV or a set top box. Does this mean I can’t receive WBAL-TV anymore?A: WBAL-TV will continue to broadcast on Channel 11 using our current analog system for many years to come. As of this writing, the FCC plans to phase out this older system sometime around or before 2009, however this decision is subject to periodic review by the FCC.Q: If I need an outdoor antenna, where can I get information on the right type of equipment I need?A: Most electronic or TV stores can give you proper information. Also, the Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Association has some information available on their website at http://www.ce.org/Q: Besides clear, ghost free and better quality pictures, what are some of the other benefits of DTV?A: There are benefits and opportunities with Digital TV that will add new layers of service to our viewers. Some of these benefits include; Electronic Program Guides, improved closed captioning, transmission of interactive web-style programming and information, multi-language programming, ancillary data services, ancillary voice or music-based services, and perhaps even high-speed Internet access. Some of these services are carried now and some will be in the future.. Availability depends on how quickly consumers are ready for these new services.Q: DTV sounds very complicated. Will DTV Sets be as difficult as computers to use or install?A: DTV sets are computers with memory and programs that run and allow you to receive DTV programming. Unlike computers, these systems can initialize and program themselves when you first purchase them and require you to have little technical skill to install or use.
Copyright 2005 by TheWBALChannel.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
