HDTV CableCard

Look thorough the specifications list of many of the current crop of HDTVs and you will see the term CableCard listed on many of them, but what is HDTV CableCard?

Quite simply, it's a very elegant method of receiving HDTV from a cable provider.
Instead of supplying you with a set-top box to receive and decode its HDTV
transmission, the cable supplier gives you an HDTV CableCard which simply slots
into your TV. The card decodes the channels that your subscription allows your
receiver or integrated HDTV does the rest.

The advantage is that an HDTV CableCard takes up much less room than a set-top
box, doesn't need its own power supply, and reduces the number of cables you
need for cable HDTV. Another advantage is that if you move house and have to
switch providers, you don't need to learn how to use a brand new set-top box. You
just relinquish your existing card and get a new one from your new provider,
everything else stays the same.

Perhaps the biggest advantage of HDTV CableCard is in the picture quality. Cable
companies are not known for the high quality of the components they put into set-
top boxes. Most consumers can't tell the difference between a decent picture and a
very good one. So cable companies tend to go for features rather than quality. With
CableCard your equipment - the HDTV tuner or integrated HDTV does the scaling
and display, so you choose how good the image quality is. If it matters to you, you
can buy a good tuner or integrated TV and benefit from better scaling and display.

The disadvantage of HDTv CableCard is that it is currently one-way, so cable
services which requ00000892ire interaction, such as pay-per-view, on-demand services,
sports season tickets and program guides don't work. For those you'll still need a
set-top box.

A two-way version of CableCard is currently in development.

Kenny Hemphill is the editor and publisher of The HDTV Tuner - a guide to the kit, the technology and the programming on HDTV.

DVD Recorders

DLP HDTV - What is DLP HDTV?

Digital Light Processing (DLP) involves advanced technology that was introduced by Texas Instruments. The process involves 1.3 million microscopic mirrors of Digital Micromirror Devices (DMD). This is a type of technology used to get more pixels onto High Definition Television (HDTV) so the picture is clearer. This entire concept is currently known as DLP HDTV.

The DMD is the main component of the DLP HDTV system. This tiny gadget holds all the small mirrors that reflect the pixels. They are made from aluminum so they are very light weight. One DMD can hold up to 1,280 pixels. Hewlett Packard is working in enhancing the DMD process so it can generate two pixel images at a time. The result will be DLP HDTV with even better picture resolution.

If you compare the cost of a flat panel plasma or LCD television set to that of a DLP HDTV you will find the latter to be more cost effective. You will be getting a very good deal because it offers you a very good picture and they have a much longer life than a cathode ray tub TV set. One of the disadvantages though is that LCD television sets have better contrasting controls and ranges of color than what is offered on DLP HDTV. However DLP HDTV definitely wins when it comes to viewing sports or other materials where there is plenty of motion going on.

The DLP HDTV models use a color wheel system for the colors you can select from. There are three primary colors used - red, green, and blue. When these colors are mixed with the DMD though you can get 256 different shades of color. The best selling DLP HDTV on the market right now is the 56 inch Samsung HLR5667W. It retails from $1,600 to $2,700. They also have a 50 inch model you can get for a price of $1,500 to $2,800.

As the DLP HDTV becomes more popular you can expect a wider selection of models to emerge onto the market. You can also expect a reduction in the cost of them. For now though you will have to pay the high price to have the DLP HDTV, the newest technology in the way of TV and movies.

If you found this information on DLP HDTV useful, you'll also want to read about HD TV Antenna

Rear Projection