High Def Q&A

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Now that Eyewitness News is broadcasting in high def, here's how you access the HD broadcast and  some tips to make sure you're getting the best picture possible.

Q: What's the difference between High Def and Standard Def?

A: High definition video is a higher resolution format. It has 720 or 1080 rows of pixels from top to bottom; compared to standard def which has 480 rows. The increased pixels create a picture that is brighter, crisper and much more refined. The bigger the television screen the more you'll see the difference.

Q: How do I see Eyewitness News in high definition?

A: In order to see Eyewitness News newscasts in high-definition, you will need to have an HD television set and an HD signal; either off-air or from your cable or satellite provider. Many providers have high-definition in a different location on their channel lineup. Eyewitness News will still be broadcast in standard definition, so you may have to switch to a different channel for the HD broadcast.

• WPRI 12 HD Channels
  • Off Air - 12.1
  • Verizon FiOS Channel 512
  • Comcast Channel 812
  • Cox Channel 1012
• Fox Providence HD Channels
  • Off Air 64.1
  • Verizon FiOS Channel 511
  • Comcast Channel 811
  • Cox Channel 1011
• myRITV HD Channels
  • Verizon FiOS Channel 514
  • Comcast Channel 820
  • Cox Channel 1015

General HD Questions answered by Crutchfield.com

Q: What kind of antenna do I need to receive over-the-air HD broadcasts?

A: First, don't worry about finding one that's "specially designed for HDTV." As with analog broadcasts, digital TV broadcasts can be either UHF or VHF. It's a good idea to get an antenna that can receive both, because even though most stations broadcast in the UHF band (channels 14-51), a significant number are in the VHF band (channels 2-13). If you're not sure about your local stations, check out the Consumer Electronics Association's excellent Antennaweb TV antenna selector website. It will tell you what stations broadcast in your area, where they are in relation to you, and what type of antenna is recommended for your specific location.

Q: I'm a cable TV subscriber. What do I need to watch cable programs in HD?

A: There are a couple ways you can watch high-def cable programs. The option that will work best for you depends on the types of HD programs you want to watch, as well as which services are available from your local cable provider (check with them for details on services and pricing). Your options will usually include:

• An HDTV with a QAM tuner: Nearly all recent HDTVs include a built-in QAM digital cable tuner. If you have one of these TVs, you can connect it directly to the cable TV wall jack and watch any unscrambled channels you subscribe to, without using a set-top box. Generally, even your cable company's most basic programming package will offer some HD channels, usually including your local network stations.
• Using a high-def cable box with your HDTV: Cable providers usually encourage their HDTV-equipped subscribers to lease an HD-capable set-top box, which allows access to the maximum amount of high-def programming, including premium (scrambled) channels like HBO or Showtime. These HD boxes often include a built-in DVR for recording high-def programs.

Q: I'm a satellite TV subscriber. What do I need to watch satellite programs in HD?

A: To view high-def shows via satellite, you'll need a subscription that includes HD programming. You'll also need an HD satellite set-top box. These HD boxes often include a built-in DVR for recording high-def programs.

Getting the Best Picture

Q: HDTV looks much better standard def, but how can I make sure I'm getting the best possible picture?

A: Many new HDTV owners are so knocked out by these sets' big, bright pictures that it never occurs to them that they might be able to get an even better picture. First, make sure you're actually getting a high-definition signal. Millions of HDTV owners still aren't seeing a true high-definition picture — and unfortunately many of them don't even realize it.

• Crutchfield Tips : Getting the best picture from your HDTV

Two other areas HDTV owners should explore to improve picture quality are picture controls and connections.

Q: I'm trimming expenses and considering doing without satellite or cable TV. Do over-the-air high-def broadcasts look as good as HD cable and satellite?

A: All three of these high-def signal types provide excellent picture quality — dramatically clearer and more detailed than standard DVDs and other video sources. All three types are digital video formats which use "data compression" for more efficient use of broadcast bandwidth. Compression reduces the amount of picture data being sent, so all other things being equal, more compression will reduce picture quality. Typically, over-the-air broadcasts use less compression than either satellite or cable TV signals, and in side-by-side