This is Cable

FAQ

• So what’s the big deal?
  
• So what’s on?
  
• What does it cost?
  
• How does it work?
  
• Speaking of televisions, will HD work on mine?
  
• So I go out and buy an HD TV set. What next?
  
• What’s the advantage of cable?
  
• I already receive Digital Cable. Is this the same as HDTV?
  
• But do I need Digital Cable to get HDTV?
  

So what’s the big deal?

High-definition television is more than a fad in home entertainment. It’s a breakthrough some people liken to television’s transformation from black-and-white to color. Chances are you’ve already experienced it, but if you haven’t, it’s worth a look. The best place to sneak a peek: Your local electronics retailer.

You’ll see an assortment of television screens and sizes displaying what makes “high-def” (or HD) so breathtaking. About the closest thing most of us have experienced before, at least in terms of picture detail and crystal-clear sound is a movie at a theater. HD television even uses a similar wide-screen approach that provides an expansive, theater-like view of television. And with Dolby 5.1 surround-sound, the sound experience associated with HD can be breathtaking.

So what’s on?

Just about everything from your favorite cable premium network to your favorite prime time TV show to your favorite sports team. There’s a wealth of programming available today in HD. Football games, popular sitcoms and dramas, nature and documentary shows, plus more live sports and more everything.

What does it cost?

If you’re a cable customer, your main expense is the HDTV set itself. After that, you can get dozens of channels in HD for little or no extra charge from your cable company. And special premium HD programming, plus HD On Demand, also may be available.

How does it work?

The big change from standard television to HD is the way the pictures are drawn on the screen. With HD, there’s more detail packed into the picture thanks to a greater number of lines of resolution. You can’t see each individual line, of course, but taken as a whole the effect is striking.

Speaking of televisions, will HD work on mine?

It will if you've recently purchased a new TV specifically for HD. To enjoy HD television, you need a new type of TV set capable of rendering the tremendous detail that’s part of every HD TV show. The good news is that prices for HD sets have declined dramatically. Your local retailer now has a wide range of HDTV sets ready and waiting to be oohed-and-aahed over. And have no fear: your new HD set can display both HD television programs and standard-resolution TV shows. So you can watch anything you want.

So I go out and buy an HD TV set. What next?

You go home, pace about madly, and wait for the delivery guy to show up. When the TV does arrive, ask your cable company to install a special box to provide HD channels and TV shows. They’ll even show up on the day your TV arrives, if you call ahead.

What’s the advantage of cable?

Cable companies not only deliver lots of channels and shows in HD, including some of your favorite over-the-air stations, but they’ll provide you the equipment used to receive and decode HD shows and channels. Plus, connecting additional HD TV sets and getting help with service is easy with cable, thanks to the availability of highly skilled technicians who work (and live) in your community.

I already receive Digital Cable. Is this the same as HDTV?

They’re not the same thing. Digital Cable delivers a wealth of television and music channels using crystal-clear digital signal technology. But unless you have an HDTV set, and subscribe to HDTV programming from your cable company, you won’t see anything in HD.

But do I need Digital Cable to get HDTV?

Yes you do. HD television is a new form of digital television, and it operates from a digital foundation. That’s why you need Digital Cable, digital satellite service, or a new digital rooftop antenna to receive it. Digital Cable is like a restaurant menu, and HDTV is one of its choices.