HDTV (US ATSC) FAQ

[Doom9]

What is HDTV?
HDTV means High Definition Television. Usually HDTV is digital. Only Japan initially had an analogue HDTV system, which was quickly replaced by a digital counterpart (ISDB). HDTV is not limited to a digital TV standard, and possible in ATSC (US, Mexico and Korea: http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=76006), ISDB (Japan: http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=76063) and DVB (rest of the world: http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=75876)

What resolutions are digitally broadcast?
Vertical Aspect
lines Pixels ratio Picture rate
1080 1920 16:9 60I, 30P, 24P
720 1280 16:9 60P, 30P, 24P
480 704 16:9,4:3 60P, 60I, 30P, 24P
480 640 4:3 60P, 60I, 30P, 24P

For more info, refer to the ATSC basics: http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=76006

Where can I read about the technical details of HDTV?
www.atsc.org

For an abbreviated introduction to ATSC, refer to the ATSC basics: http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=76006

Where can I read about the technical details of HDTV?
www.antennaweb.org - select choose an antenna and give your zip code for a nifty map.
www.titantv.com - The guide has a digital TV section, by zip code.

What kind of hardware do I need to start capturing HDTV?Chek out this list: http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=76654

What is a .ts (or .tp, or .trp) file?
The .ts (or .tp, or .trp) format is just an MPEG2 systems transport stream with a couple codes set to say it is also an ATSC stream.

When I record a HDTV broadcast, how can I convert it to another format that I can actually watch without special software?
Use HDTVtoMPEG2 (http://www.midwinter.com/~bcooley/) to extract a specific TV chain from the transport stream and cut out commercials. Then you have a regular mpg file that you can process just like content from a DVD (for instance open it in DVD2AVIdg).

How to capture the mpeg 2 stream without recompressing it?
You need an HDTV card. The software generally comes with it due to proprietary drivers and software that allows you to record the digital video and audio streams to your HD. You can then convert it as described above. For encrypted channels, you need a special card that allows you to plug in a decryption card to decrypt the encrypted streams.

How big do HDTV streams get?
One hour of video usually takes about 9 GB.

Do HDTV's accept VGA inputs? And if so, how is the interlacing handled?
Many HDTV cards have a VGA output (more recently even a DVI output, which is fully digital and the best way to connect a card to a HDTV capable TV if your TV supports it). Some also offer component output, which is another way to retain the high quality of the signal. You should stay away from composite (the yellow chinch connection) and RF connection, as those are incapable of retaining the high quality of HDTV.

DO HDTV's have a non interlaced mode available, for progressive scan dvd players?
I think most HDTV's can accept at least 1080i, 480i, and 480p through component inputs. Some even accept 720p.

And (US) DVD players will output either 480i or 480p depending upon whether they are progressive.

5) DVD players output via composite cables, and expects a 525 line NTSC TV. When output to a HDTV, how is this handled? Interpolation in the HDTV internal circuitry???
DVD players often have component cables. And 525 line NTSC is just 480i (viewable). So yes, most US TV's (HD or SD) can handle this through either component, composite, or s-video input. But they may or may not upscale it to any other resolution. My Toshiba TN55x81 for instance will line double 480i to 480p. And it doesn't really do a bad job at it. But not as good as a progressive DVD player or using DScaler.

Can I receive both terrestrial and cable HDTV broadcasts using the same card?Normally not as both transmission mechanisms use different modulation schemes. In order to receive terrestrial broadcasts, your card has to support 8VSB modulation (most cards do), to receive cable 16 or 64 QAM modulation has to be supported (most cards can't do that).

Many thanks to trbarry, jrmann1999 and ErMaC for starting an FAQ on this subject back in the days.

[haslem46]

Finding the best LCD TV online can be done by reading the reviews especially the ones coming from the experts. It is very helpful since the selection process would be much easier then.

[bye]

I need a .ts file include closed caption for testing a dvb setbox,who can help me?thanks!

[harshi]

thank you for you information.

and i want to convert my HD files to my ipod,
anybody can tell me how ?