A digital signal can deliver far more information, and offers more options than today's analog signal. Digital television can deliver high definition movie-quality television: crystal clear pictures, CD-quality, 5.1 channel "surround sound," and a wide screen format (16 x 9 aspect ratio, rather than today's 4 x 3 ratio).

Or, instead of transmitting a single, high-definition program, broadcasters can use this digital signal to transmit – on one channel – a mix of HD and standard-definition programs. Broadcasting several signals simultaneously is called multicasting. NHPTV transmits simultaneously an HD “channel” from PBS and an SD “channel” of the same content as is on our analog channel. NHPTV is currently upgrading its equipment so that it can provide all our locally produced programs in HD.

DTV vs HDTV

• Standard Definition (SD) = Good picture and sound
• High Definition (HDTV) = Highest quality digital picture and surround-sound
• Just because you have digital, it doesn’t mean you have HD

Digital TV also has the ability to broadcast data at the same time as it’s transmitting a TV program. This is called datacasting. NHPTV is piloting ways to help NH’s public safety community receive critical data in their vehicles. Learn more about Project54 >>