What is High Definition (HD) TV?

High definition is a technology for delivering outstanding picture and sound quality to on-screen entertainment, from television broadcasts to videos to computer games.

As most people spend more time watching TV than they do with videos or computer games, HD has become more associated with television technology than other media. 

In case you’re interested in the technical details, normal TV pictures are broadcast at 576 lines whereas HDTV doubles this to 1080 lines. This means, in theory, digital picture quality that allows higher resolution and extremely realistic broadcasts.

It sounds great but there’s a slight catch. In order to experience high definition you need to be watching a programme or video (or playing a game) that was broadcast or created to be HD. You also need a HD compliant television.

That’s why when you are buying a TV, look out for the logo ‘HD Ready’ (pictured below). It means that the TV is capable of receiving TV shows, videos and games in high definition. It does not mean that the TV will convert non-HD programmes into HD though!

So far only a few TV channels are being broadcast in high definition in the UK and these are mainly on Sky TV abd BBC HD. To get the Sky HD service you need a Sky+ HD receiver and a Sky HD monthly subscription too, which costs a little more on top of your regular Sky package.