More and more people are talking about widescreen and HDTV but there are many questions that remain unanswered. Some believe that widescreen and HDTV are the same. Are they? Many are bursting with questions about the different screen technologies. Some are wondering about wall mount capabilities. Some are confused about bridging the experience with home theater. There's a bit of urgency about this buzz. In just a few years TV as we know it will change and many of use want to be ready and able to appreciate the dawn of new television for the 21st century.

A key advantage to digital broadcasting is increased bandwidth. This means that the digital wave can hold considerably more information than current analog signals.

Analog signals constitute waves, which vary in speed and size. Space for carrying information is very limited constrained by the wave itself. In addition, varying waves have distance limitations. In analog broadcasting, a weakening of the received signal means degraded picture quality in the form of noise on the television screen.

Digital signals consist of patterns of "0" and "1" bit codes in chains. They are transmitted in groups called packets within which the type of digital signal is indicated. These signals can be manipulated and compressed to hold much larger amounts of information thus allowing the possibility of adding new services. In addition, the type of noise that was inherent in degraded analog waves no longer exists. The integrity of digital coding allows for greater distances enabling use of communication satellites.

For now, Digital TV (DTV) offers the possibility of higher resolution TV with superior sound.

This guide intends to help you understand the differences between standard TV, as you may know it and the new standard, Digital TV that will emerge in 2009. It will help you choose among the various different types of new home television models that are available.

NTSC (National Television System Committee) is the analog TV broadcast signal used by the United States since the 1940's. A standard NTSC screen includes 525 lines of 720 pixels, for a total of 378,000 pixels per frame. Only about 480 lines were available for view while the others carried other information.

For the most part, standard broadcasting used a display method called Interlace and this was directly associated with our electrical system of 110 Volts at 60 Hertz (cycles per second).

60 Hertz (Hz) means, that at any given second, electricity was on 30 times and off 30 times. This means that an electrical signal was on 1/60th of a second and off the following 1/60th of a second. In operating an appliance, this was difficult to notice.

To allow for many channels of programming, each NTSC channel was allowed a 6,000 Hz analog frequency to broadcast sound and sight. In order to fit all that information into 1/60th of a second, the information was divided in half for display into two 1/60th second on modes. This signal division is known as interlacing - making 2 totally different signals appear as one.

In NTSC TV, half of the 525 lines were sent each 1/60th of a second that electricity passed through. Because this was very rapid, your eyes and brain blended the two images together into one. This was why some people complained about flickering images or had headaches from watching TV for long stretches of time.

NTSC was primarily designed for broadcast TV at the dawn of broadcast TV in the United States. It is not compatible with PAL and SECAM systems used in Europe and Asia. It is also not compatible with computer video resolution standards. Its image display is naturally a 4:3 square-like ratio.

In planning to convert from NTSC analog to Digital TV, United States formed the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) to address new issues and standards.

One issue was screen size. A movie shown at a theater was displayed at a wider screen ratio (16:9 or 15:10) and, when presented on a square TV screen, parts of the image were compromised. ATSC decided to adopt a 16:9 Widescreen broadcast ratio.

Another issue evolved from computer displays that replaced Interlaced scanning with Progressive scanning. Progressive scanning would display all image and sound information at each 1/60th of a second display interval. This meant a brighter, more fluid, more detailed image than ever.

Another issue for the ATSC to address was increasing image resolution to compete with advance video output from new computers.

DTV as High Definition TV (HDTV) uses ATSC screen standards that can have up to 1080 lines of 1920 pixels each, or 2,073,600 pixels per frame. Visually, alone, that's over 5-times the image resolution of NTSC standards. In addition, sound standards will be expanded to deliver 5.1 channels of surround meeting Dolby Digital specifications for home-theater audio performance.

So how do you intend to get all that information into a channel bandwidth of 6,000 Hz?

Unlike analog wave patterns, digital signals can be compressed. It's sort of how music files are compressed on a computer to allow a 5-minute song to take about 1/8th of the storage space that it normally would with no perceptible loss of fidelity. So compression is one tool. Popular compression systems used for video and audio are MP3 (audio), MP2 (video) and MP4 (video).

Inevitably, the 6000 Hz wide channel frequencies may not be enough right now. That's why new channels are being designated for HDTV and, unless your TV tuner has the capability of receiving those channels, you won't experience HDTV.

By 2009, when the FCC pulls the switch to convert to Digital TV, issues of compression and new channels will be resolved.

Manufacturers selling televisions in the USA are kept aware of ATSC and FCC DTV standards to market TVs that will be ready for 2009 and beyond. Most current widescreen models are capable to receive and display DTV signals along with current NTSC standards.

Many people confuse Widescreen with HDTV. While virtually all HDTV capable sets have 16:9 widescreens, not all 16:9 widescreens are capable of displaying HDTV.

Let's first discuss what makes a Widescreen. They're usually defined as 16:9. What does that mean. It's a ratio that defines the exact size of a widescreen display. The 16 represent units of width; the 9 represent units of height. If a unit is "1 inch" then the screen size would be 9 inches high by 16 inches wide. A standard NTSC screen has a 4:3 display. If a unit were an inch, it would be 3 inches high by 4 inches wide. If we try to equalize the 3 to be 9 with the 4:3 ratio (by using 3 inch units) the overall size would be 12 inch wide by 9 inches high. 16:9 is a wider aspect ratio. 16:9 is very close to the ratio of a screen in a movie theater so you can display a movie on your TV at full screen size on a 16:9 widescreen TV. There's no letterbox effect that you would have at presenting 16:9 on a 4:3 screen.

NTSC TV, however, uses a 4:3 ratio. So if you were watching a TV show in NTSC, it would only occupy 12 inches by 9 inches on your 16-inch by 9-inch screen - a reverse letterbox effect. ATSC HDTV programming is 16:9 so it will fill your entire screen.

Now some widescreen TV models allow you to stretch 4:3 images to fill a 16:9 screen but it distorts the image. The distortion is more apparent on larger size screens. It's also not HDTV.

Overall screen sizes are measured diagonally, from (let's say) the upper left corner to the lower right corner. To figure out the exact perimeter size of your screen takes some geometry. We won't delve into that. Generally a 42-inch widescreen from one manufacturer is virtually identical in size to that of another manufacturer, given the same ratio.

As Widescreen is defined by the width to height ratio in inches, the number of pixels in a comparable ratio is how HDTV is measured.

HDTV is generally defined as a screen that has a minimum of 1024 by 720 pixel-ratio or higher. The ATSC ideal for HDTV is 1920 by 1080. Any screen that has fewer pixels in its display ratio may display Digital TV but not HDTV. HDTV is a high-resolution version of DTV.

Some TV models are referred as EDTV. They have screen resolutions below 1024x720. They may have widescreens and would be able to present programming from an HDTV channel but the displayed resolution will not be true HDTV.

So while all widescreen TV models currently manufactured are DTV compatible only some can display HDTV.

Most widescreen TV sets that are currently sold may be ready for HDTV but aren't set up to receive HDTV as sold. For example, most models come with an NTSC TV tuner. As discussed earlier, NTSC is our current analog broadcast system. It is neither digital nor high-definition. It is, however, the general TV broadcast system standard used in the United States until 2009.

There are models that also come with ATSC TV tuners. These allow reception of special DTV and HDTV channels designated by ATSC at no charge, over-the-air. An optional HDTV antenna is required to receive these stations. That antenna does not come included with the TV.

Many models have a DCR (Digital Cable Ready) slot. These accept cards provided by CableTV or Satellite-TV providers that offer DTV and/or HDTV services. When buying an HDTV compatible TV and if you are already subscribing to an available DTV service, you must inform your provider that you have HDTV because this service is usually not automatically turned on for normal DTV subscribers. It is usually available, at no extra charge, by specific request. The card that fits into the DCR slot replaces the tuner box provided by your cable service. Please check with your service to determine if you might lose some service features if you choose to use the card over the box.

TV sets that do not have built-in ATSC tuners or DCR slots but have HDTV capable displays may be 'upgraded' to receive HDTV broadcasts with an optional ATSC tuner. These connect to your TV model and are available at varies prices from different manufacturers.

Consoles and Tabletops
These models either rest on a floor or stand. Their depth (from front to rear) is usually 14 inches or greater. They are not wall mountable. Most models in this category are CRT (picture tube) and Rear Projection.

1. CRT (Picture Tube) - These use the same system as the TV sets most of us grew up with. They are generally heavy and bulky. Images are bright and colors are deep. It can be viewed at practically any angle without any degradation of image. Life expectancy has a proven track record and, in general, images can maintain brilliance for more than 7 years of average viewing. Relatively inexpensive, most CRT TVs are analog models with 4:3 image ratios. A few models have recently become available with 30 inch and 34 inch (diagonal) widescreens. While potentially DTV capable, these screens do not meet HDTV parameters. These models can be found at less than $1,000. A typical widescreen model might be 20 to 27 inches deep and may weigh 120 to 170 pounds.
2. Rear Projection - All of these TVs offer widescreens of 42 inches and above and can display HDTV images. Screen sizes can go as large as 70 inches. Models average about 17 inches deep (give or take 3 inches) and weigh from 60 to 140 pounds. All use a video source that projects an image from the rear of the unit onto a screen at the front of the unit. Three video source technologies are used - CRT, LCD, and DLP. Because these are projected images, images are excellent but do not have the brightness or richness of the CRT models. They are best viewed head-on. As you move to the side, you may experience degradation in image quality. They are moderately inexpensive, with many models priced below $2,500. Here are summaries of the different rear projection technologies:
   1. CRT is the oldest at least expensive of the technologies. They use 3 cathode ray tubes (CRT) to project images in Red, Green, and Blue to the screen. The use of CRT makes this the heaviest and deepest of the group. Images are excellent but require virtually head-on viewing with tolerances of 90 to 130 degrees before image degradation. If you just sit back on your chair or couch and look directly at it, you'll be very satisfied with this image. There are fewer CRT rear-projection models available. You can find several at around $1,000 to $1,500.
   2. LCD Rear Projectors have been more popular. They are lighter in weight and less deep than the CRT rear projectors. A model with a 46-inch (diagonal) screen might be about 16 inches deep and weigh around 100 pounds. A light source shines through 3 LCD panels to provide an image on the screen. Colors are deeper and richer than with the CRT models. The image is also brighter. The main drawback is that black-levels aren't as deep. Many customers don't mind this because the overall image is superb. LCD also has the widest viewing angle among the three rear-projection technologies with about 170 degrees before noticeable image degradation. Because it uses a light source to illuminate the internal LCD panels, this light must be replaced and is usually user-replaceable. A typical bulb is rated at about 600 to 8,000 hours average but that may vary according to use. A replacement bulb can cost about $100 to $150.
   3. DLP (Digital Light Processing) is somewhat like LCD but offers a brighter image with superior contrast (black levels) than LCD. A revolutionary system, developed by Texas Instruments, DLP has become the most popular of the three rear-projection technologies. Sometimes referred as a MicroDisplay, an optical semiconductor drives DLP. Each of these has an array of mirrors that can conditionally reflect or not-reflect certain light by tilting in varied ways. When a mirror is switched on more frequently than off, it reflects a light gray pixel; a mirror that's switched off more frequently reflects a darker gray pixel. The result is the ability to generate over 1,024 levels of gray for higher contrast.

From here, color is added to the mix by use of a special Color Wheel. This wheel can filter the light into red, green, and blue, from which a single DLP microdisplay chip can create at least 16.7 million color combinations. The use of the 3-chip system is capable of producing over 30 trillion colors. The wheel is completely silent.

Like LCD, DLP uses a replaceable bulb as a light source that must be replaced around every 6,000 hours. Viewing angle is about 160 degrees before observing any image degradation. 42 to 46 inch models are comfortably under $2000 and are less than 16 inches deep. You can find models with over 60-inch screens.

These TV models are direct-view and do not use a rear projection system. A typical model is about 4 inches deep and can conveniently be mounted to a wall using a compatible wall mount. Most models include a table stand and are about 12 to 14 inches deep when using the table stand. There are two types of flat-panel TV displays - Plasma and LCD.

1. Plasma is the oldest among the flat-panel displays. It offers a bright, sharp, rich image at sizes up to 80 inches (diagonally). Contrast (black levels) is the truest of all the displays. It is prominently used as a professional display for videoconferences and demonstrations.

   It was found, however, through use as a TV, that Plasma exhibited a strong weakness - Image Fade Through. Many TV stations display an identification image at the lower right corner of the screen. It seemed that the pixels located in that specific area had a tendency to burnout or retain a composite of all those images. Although there have been subsequent generations and an advance in Plasma technology, the experience has turned away many customers who plan to use this for TV. Many, however, enjoy the outstanding image quality and use it for video or are willing to chance the risk potential when used as a TV.

2. LCD is the more recent technology used in flat-panel TV displays. The technology is considered extremely reliable, as it has been used for notebook computers for nearly 20 years. Digital Cameras, Camcorders, and Pocket TVs have used LCD technology with great success. Its main drawback was the problem of maintaining image integrity in larger sizes. Since 2003, research has advanced this technology to deliver screen sizes that approach 45 inches (diagonal).

LCD TV models are available in both 4:3 and 16:9 perspectives. The smaller ones are used in DVD players. 32-inch and 37-inch widescreen models have become very affordable. Those models 40-inch and over seem to cost significantly more. Because of the wide varieties in size, these flat-panels have become extremely popular in 2005.

Colors are sharp and rich. Video response is extremely rapid for use with action video games and high-performance video play. Images are extremely bright nearly doubling since early 2005. Contrast, too, is approaching Plasma.

With high-resolution capabilities, these TV displays can most likely double as computer monitors offering the eventual integration of a computer into a home's TV entertainment home-theater system.

Though there have been no experiences with the print-through problem that occurred with some early Plasma displays, the difference in technologies seem to indicate that LCD would be less vulnerable.

As a matter of long-term reliability, only the CRT has been proven to deliver long-term image integrity. Unfortunately, it is impractical to achieve a large screen with HDTV capability at this point.

Rear-projection offers widescreen and HDTV at an affordable price. Compared to CRT, rear-projection screen offer larger sizes in more compact cabinets. Images are competitive for brightness and clarity. Though contrast is less pronounced, manufacturers are promising vast improvements. The drawback here is the angle at which images can be clearly viewed. While specifications may go as broad as a 170-degree viewing angle, most believe that it is more practical within 15-degrees. If you're sitting directly in front of the screen, you've got an excellent view. But as you move more toward the side you begin losing the image.

Flat Panel TVs can be used on a table stand or mounted on a wall. They offer bright pictures and optimal viewing perspectives. They are brighter and offer more contrast than CRT. There are 2 key types - Plasma and LCD. Plasma offers extremely large screens but, in the past, has suffered from pixel burnout where TV station identifiers appear. Most plasma screens are 42 inches (diagonal) or larger. Some screens are as large as over 80 inches. LCD offers excellent resolution and has a long-term reliability quotient from having been used for over 20 years with notebook computers. They offer faster response than Plasma, which make them very suitable for gaming and PC use. Until 2003, most LCD screens were no larger than 20 inches. By the end of 2005, LCD has reached screen sizes of about 45 inches. By 2006, manufacturers propose LCD screens to top 65 inches.

Most flat-panel TV models come with a table stand included. Generally the stand adds about 10 inches to the basic depth of the panel. So if a panel is about 4 inches deep without the table stand, it will be about 14 inches deep with the stand. It's an important point because some people try to mount the TV on a shelf that's only 10 or 12 inches deep. Always take into account the depth of the table stand when considering where to place the TV.

CRT and Rear Projection models must be placed on a table or stand. Rear Projection depths run from 13 to 20 inches deep. CRT depths run from 20 to 30 inches deep. There are various TV stands available for mounting these TVs on. Most provide additional space for adding home-theater components.

It is also important to allow extra inches of depth to provide adequate space for connection cables.

Only flat-panel TV models are capable of being mounted on a wall. That's because flat-panels measure only about 4 inches deep. More people are eager to get TV onto their walls - almost like picture frames. There are some key things you should be aware of:

1. Mount Compatibility - Though many TV models are starting to follow a standard wall mounting format (VESA), several manufacturers still do not and require special dedicated mounts or adapters. VESA is short for Video Electronics Standards Association. It originated as a consortium to define standards in the computer industry. In 2003, VESA became active in designing mount standards for LCD and Plasma flat panel screens. VESA standards correspond to a number which specifies the space in millimeters between the TV mounting holes. Current standards are VESA 75, VESA 100, and VESA 200. VESA 400 is anticipated. VESA is also examining a mount called the DisplayPort that is expected to offer a more diversified mount to enable easier connection of various peripherals. Buying a TV that is VESA compatible means that it complies with a mounting standard and offers a wider choice of compatible mounts. It also allows easier installation.
   It's likely that your TV will have a standard VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association) hole layout. The VESA standard configuration might be given in inches (e.g., fits 3" x 3" or 4" x 4" VESA hole pattern) (e.g., fits VESA 75 or 100 or 200) where the hole pattern is 75 millimeters apart.
   Some mounts claim to be "Universal". Unfortunately, those universal standards may be manufacturer specific. It may include some VESA mounting holes as well as others. It's important to double check that your TV fits into the manufacturer's definition of universal.
2. Where do all those wires go? - Wall mounted TVs in store showrooms appear neat and clean. That's because all the wiring has been enclosed in the wall. Since many TVs share an antenna, cable connection, or video source, it's all wired in behind the mount. If you plan to connect your wall-mounted TV to a sound system or other peripherals, it is recommended that you discuss this with a qualified TV mount installer. You may want to wire everything inside the wall to some hidden junction box (at your baseboard, for example) to create a junction box onto which you can connect other devices. Needless to say, as you require more complex needs, expect higher installation costs. When doing inside-wall wiring, we advise asking installer if licensed to do so.
3. Mounts for every size - Not all mounts are compatible with your flat-panel's size and screen size or weight. Some flat-panel TV models have speakers at the bottom while others have them at the sides. This affects the overall size of the panel. So screen size alone is not the only factor determining the suitability of a particular wall mount. Weight of the panel also requires serious consideration. If you've a display that weighs 41 pounds, it is advisable to get a mount that can effectively hold 30 to 75 pounds instead of one that could hold 25 to 45 pounds. Both will probably do the job, but the one with the heavier capacity may be more structurally supportive. Determine whether the mount has uses a single or multiple stud mounting to the wall. Make sure your mounting hardware (screws, hangers) is designed to safely support all the weight of the mount plus your TV. You should also consider shifts in weight when using a movable mount.
4. Fixed or Moveable Mounts - A fixed mount keeps TV on wall in one fixed position. Moveable mounts may tilt the screen at different angles or even move it left or right on a hinge. These possibilities should be considered when deciding on your wall mount purchase. You should note, that as you move the screen from the wall, the wiring behind it might no longer be hidden at that position. Panel size is very important there to make certain that it can be moved easily with the mount. Moveable mounts are also called Articulating or Cantilever mounts. Some use arms to extend further into the room and at different angles.

Tilt - The screen can move forward, tilting towards the floor, or backwards, tilting towards the ceiling. This type of motion is useful for screens mounted fairly high on a wall or above a fireplace.

Swivel or Pan - The screen can be turned to face towards the left or right, or around a corner. Perfect for mounting on kitchen cabinets, or in a room where your main seating doesn't face directly towards the TV.

Extension - The screen can be pulled out from the wall.

Although this product guide mainly deals with television concepts, HDTV will include the capability of receiving Dolby ProLogic 5.1-channel surround sound. This system divides sound into 5.1-channels (1) Front Left; 2) Front Center; 3) Front Right; 4) Rear Left, 5) Rear Right) and the decimal 1 equals a special low frequency band. Virtually all TV models don't have all these speakers built-in. They generally have 2 channel stereo capabilities. Some can electronically widen that field and call it virtual surround or 3D surround. Although there are also 6.1 and 7.1-channel surround sound systems, they aren't currently planned for use with HDTV. They may be used for digital-media playback, when available. You can easily add home-theater sound to your TV by way of separate components or by pre-assembled home-theater sound systems. For speed and simplicity, we'd suggest considering a sound system. They're available within a wide range of prices from basic to audiophile quality.

Most TV models that are capable of handling HDTV have resolutions that are capable for computer monitor display. Most TV models have an analog VGA connector while some also offer a DVI (Digital Video Interface) digital connector. TV models that are HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) compatible comply with DVI connectivity standards. All are suitable for web browsing and general applications. Of course, higher resolutions deliver sharper, more detailed images. LCD flat-panel displays offer the fastest response times for extreme graphics performance. If you'd like to use high-performance video and computer games, please choose a TV that has a screen response time of 20 milliseconds or less for best fast-action, gaming performance.

Televisions currently offer a variety of connections for DVD recorders and players, Digital Media players, digital-camera memory cards, computers, camcorders, and several audio/video components. Here's a list of popular connecting ports and their applications:

Analog Audio and Video - Sometimes referred as Composite or RCA jacks, these are among the oldest ports used for audio and video connections. Though they have high-performance abilities, they are not suggested for use in transmitting HDTV signals because they have limited bandwidth (capacity) for handling high information signals efficiently.

Component Video - This connection became popular when TV signals were capable to display in Progressive standards than the older Interlace (flicker) standards. The problem of transmitting color signals (of red, green, and blue hues) at a faster transmission rate for better images required greater bandwidth while complying with analog issues. Analog information isn't as succinct or detailed as digital so the component-video connection approximates for improved image integrity. Component video consists of three signals. The first is the luminance signal, which indicates brightness or black & white information that is contained in the original RGB signal. It is referred to as the "Y" component. The second and third signals are called "color difference" signals, which indicate how much blue, and red there is relative to luminance. The blue component is "B-Y" and the red component is "R-Y". The color difference signals are mathematical derivatives of the RGB signal. Green doesn't need to be transmitted as a separate signal since it can be inferred from the "Y, B-Y, R-Y" combination. The display device knows how bright the image is from the Y component, and since it knows how much is blue and red; it figures the rest must be green so it fills it in.

DVI (Digital Video Interface) was designed by leading computer manufacturers primarily to connect a computer to an LCD flat panel monitor. With the emergence of HDTV, the DVI found a presence on several LCD-based TV models. One drawback for DVI is the length of the connection. DVI is limited to about 20 feet. Longer connections may show evidence of signal degradation. Another drawback is that it is primarily suited for digital video. There have been several generations of DVI. DVI-A is used to send a digital signal to an analog display. DVI-D transfers uncompressed digital video. The DVI interface that you're likely to find is the DVI-I, which integrates the functions of the DVI-A and DVI-D. The reason why this computer based connection bears great significance on TV is that single-link DVI currently approaches optimal HDTV standards. DVI uses a digital information format called Transition Minimized Differential Signaling (TMDS). Single link cables use one TMDS connector, while dual link cables use two. A single link DVI connection can support a 1920 x 1080 image at 60fps. A dual link connection supports up to a 2048 x 1536 image. Yet DVI is associated with video performance. Another connector designed for HDTV connections, HDMI, also adds audio signal transfer into the mix.

HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) - was developed by a consortium of consumer electronics manufacturers. Among them, you'll find Sony, Panasonic, Toshiba, and RCA. It is one of the most recent connections and is geared for use with digital video and multichannel audio applications. Prior to HDMI, video connections and audio connections used several wires. HDMI integrates up to 8 channels of audio and digital video channels into one cable. In addition, HDMI is also fully compatible for connecting PC computers to compatible TV displays as it incorporates the Digital Visual Interface (DVI) standard. Based on copper cables (as opposed to optical fibers), HDMI makes few demands as to cable length and bend radius. Runs to 50 feet or more are very possible without loss of signal integrity.

Digital Media Slot is a reader that accepts memory cards used by digital cameras and camcorders. It allows easy viewing of photo and video images.

IEEE 1394 (also known as Firewire and as iLink) is a true digital connection originally designed for speedy data transfer using computers. At a maximum transfer rate of 800,000 bits of information per second, it is capable of transmitting video at progressive scan. It is used in many digital camcorders and some digital audio sources. It's less likely to be found as a television connector but you may find it where digital-camcorder connectivity is an issue.

USB (Universal Serial Bus) is found on most computers, as well as digital-media players (MP3) and digital cameras. It is more common than Firewire and has the potential of slightly faster information transfer. Again, this connector is less common for use on an HDTV.

USB Wireless is a technology in evolution. It offers wireless connectivity for computer devices. It's mentioned here because it is likely that wires might be replaced for neater and more manageable connections. If this technology succeeds, it may be available for use in HDTV models around 2008.

HDTV is a technology being born and most manufacturers are doing their best to integrate technologies and standards to develop TV models that will meet and even exceed all the plans of what Digital TV will be like in 2009. They're doing a very good job. As of 2005, more widescreen televisions are emerging. There are more commercial carriers (CableTV, Satellite TV, and Communication companies) setting up ways to feed HDTV to HDTV-capable television models. Almost all widescreen TV models have ATSC TV tuners that are capable of receiving free off-the-air HDTV broadcasts when you use an optional HD antenna. HDTV is accessible and all major TV broadcast networks are offering HDTV versions of, at least, major prime time shows. There are many accessories available for HDTV users. The most common are special frames to mount flat-panel TVs to the wall. As many HDTV capable TVs may also be used as PC monitors, there may actually be an eventual move when the PC will be integral to your home entertainment center. Then, of course, there's home-theater sound. Once you hear it, you'll never go back to listening to regular TV again. It's all here, with more coming soon.