There are many quality levels of digital television programming. The most common are:
Standard Definition TV (SDTV) - SDTV is the basic level of quality display and resolution for both analog and digital. Transmission of SDTV may be in either the traditional (4:3) or widescreen (16:9) format.
Enhanced Definition TV (EDTV) - EDTV is a step up from Analog Television. EDTV comes in 480p widescreen (16:9) or traditional (4:3) format and provides better picture quality than SDTV, but not as high as HDTV.
High Definition TV (HDTV) - HDTV in widescreen format (16:9) provides the highest resolution and picture quality of all digital broadcast formats. Combined with digitally enhanced sound technology, HDTV sets new standards for sound and picture quality in television. (Note: HDTV and digital TV are not the same thing — HDTV is one format of digital TV.)

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DIGITAL TELEVISION FACTS AT A GLANCE

Analog

DTV

HDTV

  • Date for final transition to digital is February 17, 2009. After that date, full-power stations will only broadcast digital signals.

  • Consumers will always be able to connect an inexpensive receiver, a digital to analog converter box, to their existing analog TV to decode DTV broadcast signals.

  • Digital to analog converter boxes will not convert your analog TV to high-definition.

  • Analog TVs will continue to work with cable, satellite, VCRs, DVD players, camcorders, video games consoles and other devices for many years.
  • Digital cable or digital satellite does not mean a program is in high-definition.

  • Digital pictures will be free from the "ghosts" and "snow" that can affect analog transmissions.

  • Multicasting is available.

  • HDTV is available.

  • Data streaming is available.
  • High-definition broadcasts offered.

  • Best available picture resolution, clarity and color.

  • Dolby theatre surround-sound.

  • Dolby surround-sound.

  • Wide screen "movie-like" format

source: DTV.gov

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