Blue Ribbon Rentals

High Definition Basics

We Live In An HD World!

In This Training You Will Learn All About HD:

Broadcast Systems Video Resolution, Color, and Motion Types of HDTV’s HD Audio HD Accessories

Broadcast Systems

NTSC – National Television System Committee

• Over-the-air analog color television broadcasting system used in America since 1941

ATSC – Advanced Television System Committee

• Digital broadcasting system adopted in America June 12, 2009 spanning over-the-air, cable, and satellite.

What Is HD? High Definition (n.): high definition (HD) is the

highest quality audio/video within the television spectrum as defined by the ATSC.

Today’s HD world revolves around the pretty face of television. Gone are the analog days of twisting coat hangers and tin foil. However, not all High Definition is created equal. As technology evolves it’s imperative to keep up with the ever-changing innovations.

HD Video You’ve heard the buzz words!

Customers know what to ask for. HD Video display devices are typically compared based on 2 key areas of quality and performance:

1. Resolution2. Motion

(Contrast ratio and color capabilities can also factor into the decision)

HD Resolution

The ATSC divides 3 resolution categories in 2 forms: 1.) Number of Pixels (Vertical x Horizontal)

2.) Number of Lines + Type of Scan

3 Current Resolution Formats1.) 720 x 1280 or 720p 2.) 1080 x 1920 or 1080i3.) 1080 x 1920 or 1080p

HD Resolution is the “physical” number of columns and rows of pixels that create a display device.

HD Resolution

Current HDTV Format(s)

Future of HDTV

HD Motion(Refresh Rate)

To show moving images, a television has to change out the pixels displayed on the screen. This is what we mean when we say the television refreshes the image -- it has to draw images in pixels so quickly that the human eye can't detect the process. If televisions didn't refresh the pixels, they could only display a still image. That's not good TV.

Current Refresh Rates60 hertz 120 hertz 240 hertz

Refresh rates are measured in hertz. So, a 60 hertz HDTV means the screen displays an image 60 times every second.

Interlaced vs. ProgressiveThe little “i” and “p” refer to the way in which the image is rendered on the screen

Interlaced: Scans the odd-numbered horizontal lines first and then the even-numbered lines – times the specified refresh rate. (60, 120, 240)

Progressive: Scans every single horizontal line times the refresh rate. Ex: A 60Hz progressive scan TV scans every line 60 times per second vs. an interlaced which scans half and half or the full screen only 30 times per second.

Early LCD TVs had great resolution but experienced problems when displaying fast-moving images on screen. Action movies and sporting events in particular gave early LCD sets problems. The images tended to blur as they moved across the screen. Plasma screens didn't have the same problem, giving that format the advantage when it came to high-speed television content.

HD Motion(Refresh Rate)

The solution to the LCD problem was to increase the refresh rate. A few years ago, the first 120Hz sets showed consumers that by doubling the refresh rate, the set could reduce the blurring effect. Today, refresh rates are common up to 240Hz and beyond – including 3-D.

HD Motion(Refresh Rate)

The higher refresh rates indicate that the televisions refresh the screen more often each second. Whether the faster rate has a noticeable effect on the viewer's experience is subjective. A viewer may not be able to tell the difference between a set refreshing at 120Hz and one with a 240Hz refresh rate.

HD Motion(Refresh Rate)

HD Requirements

1. Screen2. Source3. Sound4. Solutions

Just Think of The 4 S’s

High Definition Televisions(Screen)

3 Main Types

1. Plasma

2. DLP

3. LCD

High Definition TelevisionPlasma Display Panel HDTV

Based on the information in a video signal, HDTVs light up thousands of tiny dots, called pixels. In most systems, there are 3 pixel colors – red, blue, and green – which are distributed evenly across the screen. By changing the intensity of the light, color is affected creating the desired image.

In a Plasma Display Panel (PDP), the fluorescent light is created by a gas made up of free-flowing ions and electrons, called plasma. The gas in a plasma television is contained in hundreds of thousands of tiny cells positioned between two plates of glass. In short, arranged in columns and rows, the PDP’s computer electrically charges these cells producing the necessary light for each pixel.

Plasma Display PanelsPros & Cons

Use of glass makes it heavy

Must be handled upright

Reflective glass High-energy

consumption “Burn-in” myths

Deep blacks, sharp color reproduction

Great for fast motion

Slim design Wide viewing

angle Cutting edge

technology

High Definition TelevisionDLP HDTV

Home Theater Television

Digital Light Processing

Think more “bang for your buck”! DLP TVs are typically lower in price than LCD or Plasma sets which allow the user to purchase a larger screen size. While larger, the sets are still lightweight with a surprisingly slim design.

DLP Technology is used in many applications today:

•Rear Projection Home Theater TVs

•On wall projectors

•Commercial Entertainment Applications (concerts, stadiums, etc)

DLP Home Theater Technology It’s All About The Mirrors!

DLP technology, developed by Texas Instruments, is based on an optical semiconductor, called a Digital Micromirror Device (DMD), which uses a series of mirrors reflecting light to form a picture. This DMD is often referred to as the DLP chip. Each chip can contain more than 2 million mirrors! The mirrors are laid out in a specific matrix, with each mirror representing 1 pixel.

The mirrors are able to turn on or off allowing light to pass or not. This can occur over 5,000 times per second, as needed. To add color, light is passed through a Spinning Color Wheel and then onto the DLP chip, or DMD. Some DLP Home Theater TVs can produce as many as 35 trillion different colors.

Mitsubishi is our #1 partner when pertaining to Home Theater TV

DLP Home Theater Technology Pros & Cons

*Bulb needs periodic replacement

Thicker and bulkier than flat panel

Less off-angle performance

Rainbow effects

Affordable Huge Screen

Size Solid Black

Levels Lightweight Every dealer

should carry!

* Bulb cost has reduced dramatically over the years.

High Definition TelevisionLCD HDTV

Many items use LCD, or Liquid Crystal Display technology. Watches, clocks, computers, microwaves, and CD players to name a few. LCD is common because of the fact that it is thinner, lighter, and consumes less energy than it’s competitors, on average.

LCD technology uses the twisting and un-twisting of liquid crystals to power their displays. Using red, green, and blue sub-pixels, the ability to add and adjust color is implemented. Light is provided in a typical LCD to each pixel by cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFL). Newer LCD technology now uses light emitting diodes (LEDs) to fuel each pixel. LED TVs contain no mercury and can be combined into even thinner frames, making them lighter and more energy efficient.

LCD/LED TVsPros & Cons

Typically higher priced

Lower black levels

Narrower viewing angle than plasma

Response delay can cause blur

Thinnest frames on the market

Very energy efficient

LED offers “plasma-like” black levels

Great resolution Popular

technology

HD Source While most people think of TVs when

they hear the words high definition, the TVs themselves do not actually produce the HD signal. Something has to send that signal to the TV to display it. This is known as the source, or the manner in which you receive your high definition signal. Without the appropriate source, a customer’s HDTV is not HD at all.

HD Sources

Indoor/Outdoor HDTV Antenna

Online Content Provider(s)

DIRECTV, Cable/Sat Provider

Blu-Ray Disc Player/ PS3

High Definition Audio(Sound)

Imagine watching the latest Hollywood release at the theater, and listening to just a couple of tower

speakers upfront…

What would your experience be? Is audio important?

HD SolutionsWhile Screen, Source, and Sound are components for achieving high definition, these components need a way to talk to each other. Don’t forget the connections! We call these Solutions. Without the proper HD cables, your system will NOT deliver high definition, period!

High Definition Cables Types

Component Video – Analog cable will pass signal up to 720p/1080i – NO AUDIO.

DVI – Digital Video Interface supports digital video up to 1080p – NO AUDIO

Display Port – new digital connection supports advanced technologies beyond 1080p + - NO AUDIO

HD SolutionsHDMI

High Definition Multimedia Interface. HDMI is fast becoming the standard for high definition connections. It carries full HD digital video and complete, uncompressed lossless audio all in one cable. It is convenient and outperforms all other connection types, currently, in regards to bandwidth. A dealer MUST carry HDMI in order to offer a “complete” system to customers. Estimates state that over 350 million devices will take HDMI by 2011. It is a must have for any retail floor or installer. There are different levels of performance depending on the bandwidth the system requires. Pay special attention to the stated bandwidth of the HDMI cable and match it to the performance of the gear you’re hooking up.

We Live In An HD World!

High Definition is an ever-changing technology. Every day something new is invented or announced. Remember the basics and learn from your dealers. Screen, Source, Sound, and Solutions are all required to truly experience the best high definition has to offer. Make sure you show your customers how to take advantage of an HD world!

Thank You for your time!!

Please contact Aaron Steiner or Jewell Dolton

With any questions you might have.DSI Systems Inc.

800-888-8876 Toll Free614-871-1456 direct