The television system in the United States has undergone radical change.  This change is the first since the electronic standards for television were established right after WW2.  The new system is a digital system, and marries computer technology with television.  Visual images are captured in a digital format, processed digitally, broadcast digitally, and received and projected in the home, all via digital technology.  “Great,” you say. “But what is ‘digital technology?’”  Simply put, digital refers to a system of ones and zeros, or on and off switches.  Everything – every image, every line, and every picture element – is turned into binary (or a string of ones and zeros).  In the old analogue system, there was some image degradation each time an image was manipulated.  So between the time of image capture, and it arriving at the home receiver, there could be substantial image loss in detail.  But the digital system alters that process.  The results of this are the ability to faithfully reproduce images all along the line in the broadcast process, so that the image on your television set is identical to the one that was captured by the camera at the original scene. 

An additional advantage is the fact that there are twice as many scan lines in the digital system – 1,080 vs. 525 in the old, analogue system.  The result is stunning detail and clarity, in a screen that is wider than the traditional 4x3 ratio screen.  The new high definition TV sets are in an aspect ratio of 16x9, or roughly one and a third wider than current screens. 

Do you need a new TV set to see Tracks Ahead?  No, as convertor boxes and cable/satellite operators downconvert the digital signal.  You will notice some difference in enhanced clarity, but you will not get the full impact of the high definition signal unless you have an HD TV set.

Along with the picture (or video) is digital sound.  All seasons starting with number six have been released of surround sound, sometimes referred to as 5.1.  This means that there are six channels: Left front and rear, right front and rear, and center + a channel for the bass or sub-woofer signal.  So the sound you hear puts you right in the center of the action.  It's dramatic, and adds a whole new dimension to the viewing experience.

Tracks Ahead is pleased to be able to provide multiple seasons in the digital format.  The results are truly amazing.