High Definition

High definition is now available on sufficient cable and satellite channels (over 70 channels now and will be significantly more in the next six months) that your next TV (LCD or Projection) needs to be high definition capable. Music Box can demonstrate how our newest TVs display a variety of standard TV formats, but when high definition is received, the picture is automatically stepped-up to high definition with all its impressive clarity and reality.

High-definition television (HDTV) offers a much better picture quality than standard television. HD's greater clarity means the picture on screen is much less blurred and fuzzy. HD also brings other benefits such as smoother motion, richer and more natural colors, surround sound, and the ability to allow a variety of input devices to work together.

HD programming and films are presented in 16:9 widescreen format (although films created in even wider ratios will still display "letterbox" bars on the top and bottom of 16:9 sets.) Older films and programming that retain their 4:3 ratio display will be presented in a version of letterbox commonly called "pillar box," displaying bars on the right and left of 16:9 sets (rendering the term "fullscreen" a misnomer). While 16:9 widescreen format is an advantage when it comes to playing 16:9 movies, it creates the same disadvantage when playing 4:3 television formats that standard televisions have playing 16:9 formats. This is addressed by zooming the 4:3 image to fill the screen or reframe its material to 14:9 aspect ratio, either during preproduction (your HD receiver) or manually in the TV set.

In HD colors will generally look more realistic, due to their greater bandwidth. The visual information is 2-5 times more detailed overall. The gaps between scanning lines are smaller or invisible. Legacy TV content that was shot and preserved on 35 mm film can now be viewed at nearly the same resolution as that at which it was originally photographed.

When 1080 high definition scan lines are split into two, the first 540 being "painted" on a frame, followed by the second 540 painted on another frame, it is called 1080i high definition. This method reduces the bandwidth and raises the frame rate to 50-60 per second. A progressive scan displays all 1,080 lines at the same time at 60 frames per second, using more bandwidth. This is called 1080p high definition. The "i" in these numbers stands for "interlaced" while the "p" stands for "progressive". All our high definition TVs are capable of both.

Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound is broadcast along with standard HDTV video signals, allowing full surround sound capabilities. Of course, a home audio system is required to play Dolby Digital 5.1 surround from the HDTV signal. Music Box can demonstrate these systems and set you up with the best for your situation. See our Home Audio page for the components and speakers needed. High quality video and surround audio are "Home Theater". Music Box can demonstrate home theater in numerous configurations and settings. Come in today and get any questions answered about high definition and/or home theater or for a demonstration.

To display true high definition on your high definition TV requires a high definition source from cable, satellite or, if in a city, direct digital broadcast. Just having a high definition TV doesn't present high definition viewing when connected to non-high definition signal sources. Come in and we can talk about how you can step-up to true high definition. Currently, over 70 high definition channels are available through DirectTv or Dish. However, a high definition TV will upscale legacy TV signals to a better picture using special algorithms.