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Home | Services | Photos | Downloads | Contact Us | Links | About Us | Terminology | Troubleshoot
DVD:
DVD is a digital video format that offers a dramatic increase in picture quality and sound quality. With the capability of having six or more discrete channels of sound plus multiple languages, closed-captioning (in multiple languages), interactive menus, standard and letterboxed (widescreen) pictures, etc. all on a disc the size of a standard CD.
Dolby Digital:
Dolby Digital is a surround sound format from Dolby Laboratories used on DVDs, movie theaters, satellite television, and soon HDTV. It offers six discrete channels. The "5" stands for left front, center, right front, right rear, and left rear. The ".1" is the LFE (Low-Frequency Effects) channel, a dedicated subwoofer channel. Dolby Digital is a major improvement over standard Dolby Pro Logic in the pursuit for more realistic movie sound in your own home.
Dolby Digital EX:
Dolby Digital EX is the same as Dolby Digital (above) except it adds a rear center channel to fill in the gap between the speakers behind you.
Dolby Pro Logic IIx:
This technology processes any stereo or 5.1 signal into 6.1 or 7.1 channel output. It is available on select receivers. 6.1 and 7.1 refer to how many surround speakers are installed in a home theater, two in a 5.1, three in a 6.1 and four in a 7.1 system. (For more information please consult the Dolby Laboratories website).
DTS:
DTS is a variation of Dolby Digital that was first introduced in Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park. It still uses six discrete channels but compresses the information differently, it uses a higher bit rate, than Dolby Digital. Compression essentially removes data that is determined to not be important, either because you can't hear or see it. Compression is necessary to fit audio and video information on a disc the size of a CD. Some believe that this difference allows more audio information to be delivered with DTS, therefore the sound should be better. DTS is available on certain DVDs and movie theaters. And works with most receivers sold today.
DTS ES:
DTS ES is DTS's version of Dolby Digital EX.
THX:
THX simply refers to a standard of quality. George Lucas' Lucasfilm realized that movies recorded for a movie theater were not being accurately reproduced in the home due mainly to the big difference in the size of the rooms. THX makes up for the problems with approved speakers, electronics, and speaker placement. Products submitted for approval undergo a tremendous amount of testing before becoming certified. The difference is noticeable and worth the extra money.
DSS:
DSS (Digital Satellite System) uses powerful satellites that stay in a constant orbit over the earth. These satellites deliver hundreds of channels including up to 36, CD quality, all music channels with no interruptions. The picture quality is far better than standard cable TV or even those large five foot dishes you may have seen in some yards. Since DirecTV uses such powerful satellites the dishes only need to be about 18 inches in size. They can usually be hidden out of site or made to blend in with your house.
DTV:
DTV or SDTV stands for Digital Television or Standard Definition Television. On November 1, 1998 approximately 24 affiliate stations began to broadcast some of their signals digitally. This means improved picture quality and added features such as program information or guides will be available on local stations. Basically when a broadcast TV system has audio, video, and any auxiliary signals transmitted in the digital form.
HDTV:
HDTV is High-Definition Television. HDTV is the most significant improvement to television since color TV was introduced. The biggest advantages of HDTV are greatly improved picture quality due to the signals being transferred digitally and HDTV offers up to 1080 lines of resolution. HDTV is produced in widescreen images (16:9 ratio like a movie theater). Sound will mostly be 5.1 Dolby Digital. By April 2005 all broadcasting is supposed to be HDTV. Many stations have already begun broadcasting their primetime shows in HDTV and simulcasting their daytime programming in an up-converted format. Up conversion takes a standard TV signal and converts it to 1080i. It's not as good as shows recorded in 1080i but is an improvement over standard definition. (For more information please see the Digital Television website).
Composite Video:
Composite video is when all of the video information is transferred on a single cable. This is the standard hookup of most video equipment. For the best picture quality use either S-video or Component video (see below).
S-Video:
S-video or Y/C connectors refer to cables in which the luminance (Y) and chrominance (color or C) information of a video signal are transmitted on separate cables. The advantages are freedom from cross-interference of the Y and C.
Component Video:
Component video is the best output available (for best picture) from
a DVD player and some satellite boxes. A component video output splits
the video signal into three separate cables. A luminance component (Y)
and
two different chrominance (color) components, blue-minus-luminance (B-Y)
and red-minus-luminance (R-Y). All derived from the original RGB (Red,
Green, Blue) signals from the camera.
DVI:
This is a digital video output. It takes the DTV video signal and transfers it to the TV digitally without conversion to analog as the other cable types do.
SACD:
Regular CDs pass through a filter when being recorded and another filter during playback. These filters can degrade the sound. Super Audio CD eliminates these filters. Super Audio CD uses Sony's Direct Stream Digital™ process, which records a 1-bit signal at an astonishing 2,822,400 samples per second. This is 64 times the sampling frequency of a standard Compact Disc. The result is superb frequency response and dynamic range. To benefit from this technology you must have an SACD player and a receiver capable of decoding the signals.
DVD Audio:
DVD audio is a format that allows for a tremendous amount of data on a single disc. The space is much more than available on a conventional CD. This space is used for more audio information on the disc meaning better sound. Multiple soundtracks and/or some video may also be on these discs. They can either be stereo, multi-channel or both.
Question 1: Should I buy a regular TV or an HDTV?
Answer: If the prices are within your budget definitely buy an HDTV. This will guarantee that you can see the HD versions of available channels provided you have a way to receive them. If your budget will not allow the purchase of an HDTV, don't worry. Your TV will not be obsolete in a few years. Broadcasters will likely simulcast standard definition signals for years to come or set top boxes will be available that will essentially down convert the signals to work on your TV.
Question 2: How can I receive HD channels?
Answer: HD channels can be received by satellite, attic or roof mount antenna, and cable. Satellite does not currently offer local broadcast stations in HD they offer channels like Discovery, ESPN, HBO and Showtime. Antennas will allow you to receive local broadcast stations in HD depending on where you live. Cable offers some of the same channels as satellite as well as a few broadcast channels in HD.
Question 3: I have an HDTV why can't I see an improvement?
Answer: You may have an HD ready television. This means the TV is capable of displaying HD programming but does not have any way to receive it. You need a set top decoder to receive and transfer the signals to the TV. If you do have all of the correct equipment in place and still don't see an improvement you may not be on the correct input of the TV or you many not be watching a station that is currently broadcasting in HD.
Question 4: I have an HDTV satellite. Why are there multiple local channels?
Answer: The multiple channels you see (example DC4, Ant. 4, Ant 4.1) are the same channels from different sources. The DC 4 is the DirecTV broadcast of channel 4, this is standard definition. Ant 4 is the broadcast from an attic or roof mount antenna and is standard definition. Ant 4.1 is the HDTV broadcast of channel 4 and is picked up from the attic or roof mount antenna. There may also be multiple HD versions such as X.1, X.2, X.3, etc. These are multiple HDTV or enhanced definition channels from the same network.
Question 5: Why are my local channels snowy?
Answer: Atmospheric conditions can affect the quality of channels received over an antenna. It is also possible that you do not have a strong enough signal. This can be due to location of your house, type of antenna used, proper placement of antenna, or too many TVs connected without amplification.
Question 6: Why do my HD local channels pixelate?
Answer: Atmospheric conditions can affect the quality of HD channels. Without a constant stream of information the station will break up or pixelate. As the technology progresses you should see an improvement in reception.
Question 7: Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Digital, DTS, DTS Neo 6C, what's right for me?
Answer: There is no one answer for everyone. The general rule is some type of Dolby or DTS decoding for television and movies. For music these may not be desirable unless the CD is encoded with surround sound such as SACD or DVD Audio.