In both cases, a Mediacom HDTV digital converter is required. HD-capable sets are, essentially, monitors that require an external receiver/converter. This built-in receiver, however, is not compatible with Mediacom's HDTV receiver/converter. HD-ready sets have built-in HDTV receivers. Today, HDTV is available in two forms: HD-ready and HD-capable. By comparison, a standard TV has an aspect ratio of 4:3. Widescreen format creates a panoramic effect for the viewer, conveying more scenery and action. HDTV's widescreen format is a 16:9 aspect ratio - just like a movie theater. HDTV uses 720 to 1080 lines, allowing viewers the opportunity to see more detail than ever before, such as specks of color in an actor's eyes. Regular televisions feature a maximum of 480 interlaced lines in the picture.
Television images are actually composites of many horizontal lines. What's the visible difference between HDTV and our current television system?.
