Chapter 4. High Definition

Hacks 28–35

It's no exaggeration to say that high-definition programming has revolutionized home theater. Just a few short years ago, the quality of a good DVD was staggering; it was far superior to anything ever before seen on a television. However, high definition (HD) is head-and-shoulders above even the best DVD-quality pictures. Broadcasters are airing more and more programming in HD, and hit TV shows such as Alias, CSI, and The Grid are now more exciting than ever, with their true-to-life imagery.

Of course, with any technological leap comes complexity, and HD is no exception. In fact, HD is a big enough topic that it warranted its own chapter in this book; there was simply too much HD-specific content to squeeze into the video components chapter (Chapter 2). In this chapter, you'll learn about HD programming, how to get it, and how to ensure your TV will work with it. You'll also understand how important the old antenna has become again and how you can tweak your set to get maximum performance. So, buckle up, and let's go digital.

Get Home Theater Hacks now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.