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.
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