CB Tech Loves: High Definition Television (HDTV)

We here at CB Tech love gadgets, gizmos, doohickeys, and the latest in display technology. After this week’s premiere of ‘Planet Earth,’ it’d be hard to argue against it. Actually, arguing against super sweet HD display is fairly silly. This week we put most of the technical junk aside; you can find that in our stories on the latest in HD. Instead let’s talk about the one form of HD content that is ostensibly free to us all.

High definition television (HDTV) is the latest standard in broadcasting. To get right down to it, HDTV is essentially a far clearer quality image than what most of us are used to. Because of it’s significantly higher resolution the signal also displays in a widescreen format. I’m already sold on the technology by that minor fact alone. HDTV is also noticeably crisper than standard definition. You get a picture that is free of blur and rich in natural color. Add to that the capability for 5.1 Surround Sound in a television broadcast and you have a recipe for a great in-home theater experience.

There is a ton of content out there for the consumer, most of it free nowadays. If you currently have a digital cable plan there’s a strong possibility there are a number of HD channels ready for you to view. It just requires a quick trip to your cable company’s office to pick up an HD cable box. Once hooked up you will not be disappointed.

So why now? Why get on the HDTV bandwagon at this time? There are plenty of shows that benefit from the HD treatment. ‘Lost,’ ‘Heroes,’ and ‘Jericho’ to name a few. Heck, even ‘American Idol’ is pretty sexy at a higher resolution. You can see the crazy in Paula’s eyes distinctly; it’s great. All that is nice, but truly the first reason for the public to take notice of HDTV is Discovery Channel’s ‘Planet Earth.’

The five-year documentary was filmed with special HD cameras to capture the most amazing footage. If it were 1995 and I told you to watch a program that would blow your mind, and you tuned in to see a sand storm for 3 minutes you’d be pissed. Fast-forward to today and viewing the same footage in high definition is an experience not to be missed. Even in standard def the series is impressive. But once you switch over to an HD signal, you realize there is no other way to view this wondrous experience.

A great white shark jumps from the water and as you watch the slow motion footage you see every single detail of the shark. The image is vivid, with a realistic quality that stuns. As the shark splashes down the sound of the water washes over you in 5.1 surround. ‘Planet Earth’ is not only a tremendous and thorough look at our planet, it is a testament to the future of broadcast television.