HDTV is DTV But Not All Digital Television is HDTV

As digital television continues to spread across the wonderful world of home entertainment, confusion continues to infiltrate among those concerned with recent changes that are taking place slowly but continuous pace in the ever evolving world of home entertainment technology. With the recent announced analog to digital television transition associated with all forms of television broadcasting in the United States of America and other countries that will follow eventually consumers are concerned and confused with what will really happen to their old trusty television sets, making them feel confused on whether or not they need an HDTV television set.

There is no real comparison between DTV and HDTV. First of all, HDTV or high definition television is part of the modern television standard referred to as DTV or should we say digital television. For those that are concerned with whether or not they need to purchase a high definition television set for the sake of viewing regular television feel relieved at the actual fact that you do not need to a high definition television set to watch your favorite show when the analog to digital transition begins. You do need an HDTV to watch television in high definition formats but not for standard definition digital television also know commonly as SDTV. You can think of high-def as premium digital television for those who desire it.

But not everything digital is high definition, and this is where things can be confusing, if you own a standard def television set or are planning to purchase one you will not be able to watch in high definition, you will be able to watch strictly standard definition. This applies to analog television sets using an analog to DTV converter box as well.

SDTV themselves are also part of the digital world and they most not be confused with Analog television sets, as SDTVs are capable of displaying digital signals those which Analog television sets can not. You will probably differentiate an Analog television set set from a standard definition set easily since most digital standard def sets have a typical SDTV logo in the front of the television set. Usually in a easy to spot area where customers would find easy in a store product display.

In summary, if your main concern is the analog to digital transition you do not need to purchase one of those expensive HDTV televisions or any HDTV tuner, cable or any high def component. There are two options available an SDTV that features an integrated digital tuner or an analog to DTV converter box. But if you are planning to watch television play video games or watch movies in high definition then you do need an HDTV.