Digital HD and UHD 4k NextGen Televisions

There are 2 basic types of televisions, high definition (HD), and ultra high definition (UHD) also called 4k NextGen TV. Virtually all televisions made since 2020 are also Smart TV’s that can get internet streaming services.

Televisions manufactured since 2007 have a built-in digital ATSC 1.0 tuner for receiving over-the-air High Definition (HD) broadcast. In 2020 televisions became available with an ATSC 3.0 tuner to additionally receive ultra high definition (UHD) broadcast. A NextGen 4k UHD television is required to get a UHD broadcast signal. Note, most channels use the HD standard. Many Digital TV's can also receive analog signals (NTSC System) for old video recordings, it's also still used in some countries.

Television Type	Standard
HD Television	ATSC 1.0	Website
UHD 4k NextGen	ATSC 3.0	Website
Analog Television	NTSC

UHD BROADCASTS
The FCC encourages broadcasters to switch to a UHD (ATSC 3.0) signal. However, broadcasters have the option to determine when they switch, there is no deadline. There is no public interest due to cost and channel encryption

. A few special interest groups (content providers, advertisers) are encouraging the FCC to set a switch date. The number of UHD broadcasts is small, and has virtually stopped.

TV AMPLIFIERS
Some digital television tuners do not use a low-noise preamp and may not get weaker signals. One reason not to use a preamp is to cut costs. Another reason is that Internet streaming and satellite / cable TV boxes do not need a preamp.

TV MONITORS
A few televisions are TV monitors and cannot get over-the-air TV. The television monitor gets video from a cable or satellite box, the internet, or a home device. Set-top TV tuners are available for using an antenna.

REMOTE CONTROLS
Televisions come with either a Full Remote or an On Screen Remote. On Screen remotes have fewer buttons and are used to navigate to all selections using the screen. There are no numbers to go directly to a channel. Some remotes have a built-in microphone for Voice Control.

High Definition (HD) televisions use the ATSC 1.0 standard and have a picture maximum resolution of 720 (Hi Def) or 1080 (full def) pixels per inch (ppi). They also display standard definition (SD) broadcast. See Display Specifications below. Most HD televisions are Smart TV's.

All NextGen (UHD) and many HD televisions are Smart TV's that have additional features.

Receive Internet Streaming Video Services.
The main reason to use a smart TV is to get Internet steaming video. The TV is usually connected to the Internet with a Wi-Fi connection, some TV's can use an Ethernet cable.

Automatic Content Recognition (ACR).
Some TV's have Automatic Content Recognition. You may or may not have the option to disable this feature in the Menu Settings.

Camera and Microphone
Some smart televisions have a built-in microphone, some also have a video camera. The camera and microphone can be used for;

CAMERA / MICROPHONE LOCATION
If the television has a microphone or camera, the manual should, but not always, indicate the camera and microphone location. The camera is usually a built-in small lens in a bezel, or a just a small hole. The camera is typically embedded near the top center of the screen, but can be almost anywhere that faces viewers. The microphone may be built in the TV front frame or side, or the remote control. The microphone will be a small hole or a pattern of small holes.

UHD Televisions use the ATSC 3.0 standard to also receive ultra high definition 2160 ppi (4k) broadcast. They also have enhanced audio and better reception characteristics.

ENCRYPTED AND STREAMING CHANNELS
Broadcasters can encrypt a TV channel, or stream the channel over the internet.

See Home Page /

Encryption.
⛔ Internet Streaming.

PAY TV (Not Used)
Encrypted channels can be set up for "Pay TV", by the month or by the program(s). An Internet connection is required to download a decryption key as often as needed. The legality is in question -- spectrum allocated for TV broadcast is mandated by the Federal government to be Free for anyone to receive.

Evoca TV network tried selling a monthly subscription service for $25 per month from January to December of 2022. They had stations in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, and Michigan. The service had local channels, some cable channels, and RSN's (Regional Sports Network). They didn't generate enough revenue to sustain operations and shut down after just one year of operation.

DISPLAY SPECIFICATIONS

Picture Display
A TV channel resolution is set by the broadcaster and can be in SD, HD, or UHD. Picture definition is described by the height resolution in pixels per inch (ppi). The picture scan will be either Interlaced (i) or Progressive (p).

Picture Definition
and Scan Type

UHD (4k)	HD	SD
2160p	1080p 1080i or 720p	480p 480i

p	=	Progressive	-	picture lines displayed one after the other.
i	=	Interlaced	-	odd picture lines displayed then even lines.

Display Aspect Ratios (Width x Height)

Analog TV used a 4:3 aspect ratio.

TV Resolution and Frame Rate

Resolution
High Definition Full High Definition	HD Full HD	720 ppi 1080 ppi
Ultra High Definition (4k)	UHD	2160 ppi

SPECIFICATIONS

TELEVISION		Resolution W x H (PPI)	Aspect Ratio	Frame Rate
Ultra High Definition UHD 4k	2160p	3840 x 2160	16:9	24 fps 30 fps 60 fps 120 fps
Full High Definition Full HD	1080p	1920 x 1080	16:9 1:1	24 fps 30 fps
Full High Definition Full HD	1080i	1920 x 1080		30 fps
High Definition HD	720p	1280 x 720		24 fps 30 fps 60 fps
Standard Definition (SD)	480p	704 x 480	16:9 4:3	24 fps 30 fps 60 fps
	480p	640 x 480	4:3 1:1	24 fps 30 fps 60 fps
	480i	704 x 480	16:9 4:3	30 fps
	480i	640 x 480	4:3 1:1	30 fps

W
H

= width
= height

PPI
fps

= pixels per inch
= frames per second

The 4k Digital Cinema Standard has slightly higher resolution than UHD (4k) TV.

Standard	Resolution (ppi)
4k Digital Cinema	4096 x 2160
UHD (4k) (TV)	3840 x 2160

Most Hollywood movies run at 24 fps. The old analog TV system had a 525-line interlaced (i) picture at 30 frames per second and an aspect ratio of 4:3.