The Digital Television and Analog Television - Report Example

Differences between digital television and analog television Author Course Tutor Date Introduction According to Hallin, D and Mancini, P (2011), media market has become more dynamic and fast-moving than any other markets in business industry. Introduction of new technologies and improvement of the existing ones are leading to shifts in consumer testes and preferences and their general behavior. It is in this respect that broadcasting industry has continued to redefine reinvent itself in order to meet the demands of digital technology that would enhance efficient and effective service provision across the world. In order to be relevant and realize growth, media broadcasters are supposed to deliver content that is innovative in nature that is relevant to the audience. Rabinowitz, M and Spilker J J (2005) strongly believe that media broadcasters must meet the needs of audiences who have been discriminatory and who are interested in watching content that provides value for their money and time. Community broadcasting and social media provide proper avenues to satisfy audiences’ expectations and the requirements for development of the nation. Digital television The introduction of digital television has seen the combination of different features of communications, computing and broadcasting. A digital television signal uses the same set of frequencies that are used by the traditional television broadcasts. However, (Thussu, D 2007) argues that audio and video information is carried along by a single high speed bit stream and not by continuous analog components as it is in the traditional television. The bit stream encompasses the encoded audio and video and the system data. Traditional television/analog television The traditional television has been used in the United Kingdom for more than 76 years. The television broadcasts encoded analog video and analog audio signal in a continuous stream. The analog television are wireless but some use copper wire as cable converters. The analog television has been in operation since the introduction of television broadcasting in the 1930s (Turner, G and Tay, J 2009). The difference between traditional and digital television according to Napoli, M (2011) originates from how the television signal is remitted from the sources of these signals to the television, which have often defined the consumer choice. It is also related to how the digital television converter box transfers signals to the analog television, and this is important especially to consumers who use these digital converters to receive television broadcasts from analog televisions. Before the introduction of Digital television broadcasting, standard signals for analog television were being transmitted in the same way to radio transmissions. In the analog television, video signal was transmitted in AM while those of audio were transmitted in FM. This was prone to interferences like snow and ghosting, which depended much on geographical location and the distance of the television from the signal. Important too is that volume of bandwidth used by the analog television restricted resolution ability and the general quality of pictures displayed. The digital television transmits information as data bits, just as the way data in computer is written. In this situation, the signal is either on or off, and therefore the intention is that the viewer is able to view an image on the screen or nothing unlike in the analog television (Stevenson et al 2007).The distance from the transmitter increases in the digital television, and thus there is no loss of signal. It therefore means that if the viewer is very far from the transmitter or poor location, nothing shall be displayed for viewing. Unlike the analog television, digital television is designed in a way that it takes into consideration all the television signal requirements like color and audio. Stevenson et al (2007) connotes that these are transmitted as progressive or interlaced signal leading to high signal integrity and flexibility in its content. Since the digital television signal comprises of bits, it has the capacity to accommodate high quality images. Also, the additional space not utilized for the television signal is used for extra audio, video and even text signals. The advantage with the digital television space is related to its potential to remit a High Definition signal. Another difference between traditional television and digital television as Fischer, W (2004) explains is the capacity to broadcast program s in a widescreen format. In this format, the shape of images appears to look like the movie screen shape that allows the person watching to see the movie as it was intended to appear by the filmmaker. For instance, in sports one camera shot can enable you to view the entire action from the field without necessarily appearing as though you are watching from a very long distance. A digital 16 by 9 television displays large images, without allowing the picture space to be consumed by the black bars which appear on both the top and bottom sides of the widescreen image. Other factors to consider when looking at the difference between traditional television and analog television is the amount of data transmission, ability for the data to stay over a given distance and the type of data which is carried by the signal. Napoli, M (2011) confirms that it is possible to convey much more information into a digital signal as compared to analogue signal using the same volume of bandwidth. In addition, digital television does not have the same problems with the pictures as it is with the analogue television. Unlike the analog television, digital television is more interactive since they are not limited to only video and audio remittance. According to Hallin, D and Mancini, P (2011), unlike other countries, the United Kingdom is converting to digital signals parallel to high-definition pictures. Other countries have already adopted use of digital television even though they are using analog signal. Important to note is that analog signals cannot be compressed the same way as digital signal which makes digital broadcasting preferred to analog television. For instance, in order to transmit a picture on analog television, every pixel is incorporated into the signal which is not the case with digital transmission. There is a natural law that technology is unable to overcome, and this is weakening of signals. Song, J (2007) asserts that television signals loss their strength as they move away from the transmitter or even through objects. Both digital and analog signals tend to weaken as the distance from the transmitter increases but the degree of weakening differs. Although the images on an analog television continues to worsen as the distance between the receiver and the transmitters increases, those on digital television will remain clearer until the signal completely becomes weak for the receiver to detect. The advantage with digital signal is that a number remains a number, whether a one or a zero. The difference between digital and analog television can be explained in the perspective of multi-casting. Digital television does not only perform the task of sending high-definition pictures as opposed to analog sets. With equal signal digital sets can multi-cast approximately four standard-definition pictures beyond the usual high-definition picture. It is in this respect that many public broadcasting stations are planning to multi-cast four programs of their choice at day time, and then change to high-definition during prime time. During day time broadcasting on Public Broadcasting Stations, a viewer may have to choose between children’s programs or adult programming. This emphasizes the fact that unlike the analog television with single transmission, digital television offers more choice to the viewer which makes viewing more interactive and enjoyable (Hardy, J 2008). Another significant difference between analog and digital television is how signals are conveyed (Straubhaar, J D 2007). Traditional television uses a variable video signal that is often continuous in nature. These signals are then synchronized with the audio signals that are transmitted o individual television channels. However, digital television uses a binary system which has to be downloaded for it to be displayed on the screen as pictures. After downloading each frame, video signals are then encoded and later modulated as radio waves accompanied by audio signals which are transmitted on individual channels, and to some extent sub channels. The compatibility of digital and analog television in relation to display of image is another aspect of differentiation as observed by Turner, G and Tay, J (2009). Analog television signals are compatible with the CRT type of display which includes television sets with picture tubes. The electron guns are caused to fire the phosphor dots which are located on the back of the screen, which then makes color to grow and this displaying on the screen. On the other hand, digital television signals are compatible with different types of displays which are known to use fixed-pixel technology. Such displays include; LCD plasma, LCD projection, LCD, DLP projection among others. In this transmission, video file is not compressed and prevailing data controls the color of every individual pixel giving it a clear display of images. As much as digital television may be desired by many people as compared to the traditional televisions, they are costly to acquire, and this is why some people cannot afford digital sets. (Napoli, P M 2011). Adhering to the fact that technology cost doesn’t occur in its initial acquisition, digital televisions are expensive to install, maintain and support in the long run as compared to analog televisions which are much cheaper. Depending on where you need the video to reach, it is less costly to send video over an Ethernet data network that is in existence than to build a new coax cable alongside the existing network. The argument is that digital televisions are associated with high cost of buying and also maintain despite their high quality profile. Conclusion In Conclusion, the introduction of technology has led to the revalorization of media industry, and this has seen the innovation of digital television across the world that is intended to replace traditional television. There is increased efficiency and effectiveness in transmission of information across the continent and this has increased awareness among many people. Generally, transformation of media industry through digitalization has caused more to be admired. It is important that media broadcasters focus on what the audiences want to hear from them as they try to relay up to date information. They can also achieve this by embracing high-technology developments that surround media industry for them to maintain a competitive advantage in their daily operations. References Hallin, D and Mancini, P2011, “Comparing Media Systems Beyond the Western World”, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Hardy, J 2008, “Western Media Systems”, London: Routledge. Napoli, P M 2011,“Audience Evolution: New Technologies and the Transformation of Media Audiences”, New York: Columbia University Press. Turner, G. and Tay, J 2009 (eds.), “Television Studies after TV: Understanding Television in the Post-Broadcast Era”, London: Routledge. Song, J., Yang, Z., Yang, L., Gong, K., Pan, C., Wang, J., & Wu, Y 2007, “Technical review on Chinese digital terrestrial television broadcasting standard and measurements on some working modes”, Broadcasting, IEEE Transactions on, 53(1), 1-7. Stevenson, J. M., Hisayasu, P., Deiss, A., Abesingha, B., Beumer, K., & Esquivel, J 2007, February), “ A multi-standard analog and digital TV tuner for cable and terrestrial applications”, In Solid-State Circuits Conference, 2007. ISSCC 2007. Digest of Technical Papers. IEEE International (pp. 210-597). IEEE. Fischer, W 2004, “Digital television: a practical guide for engineers”, Springer. Rabinowitz, M., & Spilker Jr, J. J 2005, “ A new positioning system using television synchronization signals”, Broadcasting, IEEE Transactions on, 51(1), 51-61. Straubhaar, J. D 2007, “World Television: From Global to Local”, Thousand Oaks: Sage. Thussu, D 2007 (ed.), “ Media on the Move: Global Flow and Contra-Flow”, London: Routledge. Read More

The digital television transmits information as data bits, just as the way data in computer is written. In this situation, the signal is either on or off, and therefore the intention is that the viewer is able to view an image on the screen or nothing unlike in the analog television (Stevenson et al 2007).The distance from the transmitter increases in the digital television, and thus there is no loss of signal. It therefore means that if the viewer is very far from the transmitter or poor location, nothing shall be displayed for viewing.

Unlike the analog television, digital television is designed in a way that it takes into consideration all the television signal requirements like color and audio. Stevenson et al (2007) connotes that these are transmitted as progressive or interlaced signal leading to high signal integrity and flexibility in its content. Since the digital television signal comprises of bits, it has the capacity to accommodate high quality images. Also, the additional space not utilized for the television signal is used for extra audio, video and even text signals.

The advantage with the digital television space is related to its potential to remit a High Definition signal. Another difference between traditional television and digital television as Fischer, W (2004) explains is the capacity to broadcast program s in a widescreen format. In this format, the shape of images appears to look like the movie screen shape that allows the person watching to see the movie as it was intended to appear by the filmmaker. For instance, in sports one camera shot can enable you to view the entire action from the field without necessarily appearing as though you are watching from a very long distance.

A digital 16 by 9 television displays large images, without allowing the picture space to be consumed by the black bars which appear on both the top and bottom sides of the widescreen image. Other factors to consider when looking at the difference between traditional television and analog television is the amount of data transmission, ability for the data to stay over a given distance and the type of data which is carried by the signal. Napoli, M (2011) confirms that it is possible to convey much more information into a digital signal as compared to analogue signal using the same volume of bandwidth.

In addition, digital television does not have the same problems with the pictures as it is with the analogue television. Unlike the analog television, digital television is more interactive since they are not limited to only video and audio remittance. According to Hallin, D and Mancini, P (2011), unlike other countries, the United Kingdom is converting to digital signals parallel to high-definition pictures. Other countries have already adopted use of digital television even though they are using analog signal.

Important to note is that analog signals cannot be compressed the same way as digital signal which makes digital broadcasting preferred to analog television. For instance, in order to transmit a picture on analog television, every pixel is incorporated into the signal which is not the case with digital transmission. There is a natural law that technology is unable to overcome, and this is weakening of signals. Song, J (2007) asserts that television signals loss their strength as they move away from the transmitter or even through objects.

Both digital and analog signals tend to weaken as the distance from the transmitter increases but the degree of weakening differs. Although the images on an analog television continues to worsen as the distance between the receiver and the transmitters increases, those on digital television will remain clearer until the signal completely becomes weak for the receiver to detect. The advantage with digital signal is that a number remains a number, whether a one or a zero. The difference between digital and analog television can be explained in the perspective of multi-casting.

Digital television does not only perform the task of sending high-definition pictures as opposed to analog sets.

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