Digital TV

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Digital TV You

• A primer on transitioning from analog to digital
  television

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Where did TV come from?

• The first real revolution in broadcasting was the
  advance from radio to TV highlighted at the 1939
  Worlds Fair
• WWII trained thousands of engineers in TVs first
  cousin, radar
• The number of TV stations grew slowly from 1945
  1955, allowing time for lots of lessons, mistakes
  and advancements
• In the late 50s, the next revolutions took place
  simultaneously color video tape recording
• KUED went on the air in 1958 as a service of the
  U of U

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The genesis of Digital Television

• The FCC began its first inquiry into Advanced
  Television (ATV) in 1987, which later became DTV
• The FCC mandated that there would be no
  disruption of service to the public during the
  transition from analog to digital TV
• Broadcasters were assigned separate channels for
  their DTV signals

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The Bottom Line

• Congress has put forth an unfunded federal
  mandate that all broadcasters analog signals be
  returned to the government by February 2009
• Viewers will require either new televisions or
  converter boxes by February 2009

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The Other Bottom Line

• Television viewing is changing
• TV is no longer only viewed via TV set

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KUEDs transition to Digital

• KUED uses the power of public television to
  engage your mind and enrich your life.
• Public Television and KUED have undertaken an
  ambitious conversion to provide a more robust
  television service than anyone could have
  imagined years ago.
• Your Window to the World capital campaign

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What Digital means

• Beautiful pictures, spectacular surround sound
• Ability to broadcast AND to produce high
  definition programs
• Currently three KUED channels to choose from
• Enhanced opportunities for KUED to offer
  educational content for use in our schools K 12
• KUED will be of even greater service to the
  University of Utah well be able to broadcast
  things like U of U sports, Hinkley Institute of
  Politics programs and more
• Digital archives for our children grandchildren

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• KUED 7.1 offers all the programs you enjoy on
  KUED Nature, NOVA, Utah NOW, and more.

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• KUED-HD offers beautiful high definition PBS
  programs with 5.1 surround sound.

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• KUED-Plus offers a variety of programs including
  your favorite PBS programs and new additions like
  Charlie Rose, Tavis Smiley and Focus West.

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TV Shapes Sizes

• This film has been modified from its original
  version. It has been modified to fit your
  screen.
• OLD Aspect Ratio 43
• NEW 169
• More like a movie
• Better for your eyes

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Bigger picturesgtfiner resolution

• The image you see on your TV screen is made up of
  small rectangular dots called pixels (Picture
  Elements), and its the smallest resolvable
  rectangular area of an image.
• DTV uses smaller, square pixels that are closer
  together

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DTV Screen Choices

• Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) Screen These are
  traditional color TV screens updated for digital.
  Resolution color capabilities vary from model
  to model. They have a very bright picture, but
  are limited in size the units are typically very
  heavy.

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DTV Screen Choices

• Rear Projection TVs These can be much larger
  than standard CRTs. They create the image on a
  small display, but then enlarge it onto the back
  of the screen. New digital projection
  technologies like Liquid Crystal Display (LCD),
  Digital Light Processing (DLP) and Liquid Crystal
  on Silicon (LCoS) create brilliant, wide-angle
  pictures on ever-larger screens.

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DTV Screen Choices

• Front Projectors These are TVs that create an
  image by projecting onto a wall or stand-alone
  screen (like a movie theater). Projectors use
  the same digital technologies as rear projection
  TVs, but because the screen is separate, the
  image can be the size of an entire wall.
  Projectors are not as bright and often require
  the room to be dark in order to clearly see the
  image.

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DTV Screen Choices

• Flat Panel TVs Flat Panel TVs are very thin and
  relatively lightweight, and are sometimes hung on
  the wall. Current flat panels use either LCD or
  plasma screen technology. Flat panel LCDs are
  very thin and produce extremely clear pictures.
  Plasma screen TVs produce images by lighting
  small pockets of colored gas. This allows the TV
  to create a bright, clear picture in large screen
  sizes while remaining only a few inches thick.

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Ways to Watch KUED Digital TVThree Options

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OPTION 1

• Use a new digital tuner with your old TV and
  antenna
• - Better picture
• - All the digital channels
• - View HD programs but at lower than HD
  quality
• - No monthly subscription fee

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OPTION 2

• Use a new Digital TV (with built-in digital
  tuner) and your old antenna

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OPTION 3

• Use a new or old TV with a digital subscription
  to a program provider (cable)

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• Q A
• ????????

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What is digital television?

• In a digital system, images and sounds are
  captured and transmitted using the same digital
  technology found in computers.
• This digital revolution will not only
  dramatically improve the quality of the
  television picture, but also will make possible
  the over-the-air delivery of several simultaneous
  channels to viewers.

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What is high definition television?

• Digital technology allows KUED to broadcast
  programs in much higher quality and clarity than
  with analog television. Programs broadcast at the
  highest level of quality are referred to as High
  Definition or HD. With up-to-date television
  sets, viewers will be able to receive
  high-quality, crystal clear pictures on their
  televisions, which will be displayed in a wide
  screen format with CD-quality surround sound.

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What is standard definition television?

• Some programs may be broadcast at a slightly
  lower quality than HD and are referred to as
  Standard Definition or SD. These programs can be
  in the widescreen format. In general, the quality
  of the SD picture will surpass what you see on
  your older analog television set.

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What is multicasting?

• This new technology allows KUED to broadcast
  several channels simultaneously. We are currently
  transmitting two Standard Definition (SD)
  channels and one High Definition (HD) channel.
  Our new channel numbering scheme (KUED 7.1, KUED
  HD 7.2, KUED Plus 7.3) reflects this new ability.

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Do I have to buy a new television set? Will I be
able to watch DTV on my old set?

• You can continue to use your older television
  set. But you will need to purchase a separate
  digital tuner or subscribe to alternate program
  provider (such as cable or satellite) if you want
  to experience digital television. Bear in mind,
  however, that your older analog television set
  will not display digital programming with the
  clarity and quality of an up-to-date, digital
  set. To experience the full benefits of digital
  television, viewers will need new digital
  television sets.

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Do I have to use an antenna again? What about
cable or satellite?

• If you use an existing rooftop antenna, you
  should need only to connect your antenna wiring
  to your new DTV tuner or digital television. If
  you live along the Wasatch Front and are
  installing a new antenna, point it toward KUEDs
  digital transmitter located in the Oquirrh
  Mountains west of the Salt Lake Valley. This
  transmitter provides over the air service to
  Utahs Wasatch Front population. We are gradually
  adding digital service statewide through our
  extensive translator network. In the meantime, we
  have worked to get our channels on cable systems.
  Contact the video provider of your choice for
  more information.

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How much do digital televisions cost? What should
I look for?

• Prices for digital televisions continue to drop.
  Cost varies widely depending on the size, the
  level of capability and the options provided.
  Some sets include analog and or DTV tuners. Be
  sure that your set includes a digital tuner or
  expect to make alternate arrangements with a
  television provider such as cable or satellite,
  or to buy an external HDTV tuner.
• To enjoy the highest quality HD picture, look for
  a set capable of displaying 1080 lines on the
  screen and a high resolution of at least 1366 x
  768. Sets with higher contrast ratios will make
  the picture more crisp and realistic. Note that
  the labeling on some sets claim to be HD
  compatible while only having a limited display
  of 480 or 720 lines. Digital set-top tuners for
  your older analog televisions are available now.
  Shop carefully and speak with a well informed
  sales person.

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How do I know whats on?

• Many television listings do not yet carry
  complete KUED digital channel schedules. The most
  up-to-date schedule listings are available at
  KUED.org/whats on. You can also use the
  on-screen program guides provided by your cable
  and satellite service or on KUEDs digital
  channels.

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Can I use my existing VCR or DVD player?

• Yes. Digital televisions come with the same
  input/output ports that conventional analog
  televisions provided.

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Whats next in DTV?

• Enhanced TV or Interactive TV (ITV) is the likely
  next step. DTV is heading toward a convergence
  with computers and students, sports fans, news
  junkies and others will get more out of
  television. Since DTV broadcasts are just long
  streams of bits, each channel can add pictures,
  multimedia games, illustrated articles, maps
  all related to the TV program youre watching.
  Stay tuned!

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Digital TV Definitions

• The Digital Age has spawned a whole new language,
  filled with acronyms and techie-speakour DTV
  Glossary offers the most common phrases and their
  non-technical definitions.

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Digital Television is Here!

• KUED is thrilled to be part of the digital
  revolution in television
• The bottom line for you, our viewer, is more,
  better looking, better-sounding television
  programs with more ways to watch than ever before
• Questions?
• Call Beth Wolfer at 801-587-9213