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How to Understand a Digital TV

by David Downs

Overview

Digital television differs from analog television in that it receives digital signals instead of analog signals. Analog signals are like radio waves. Changes in the wave encode the signal. Digital signals rely on a stream of 1s and 0s to encode the signal. Understanding a digital television can come from a variety of sources for free or at cost.

Step 1

Read the manual of your digital television, if you own one. The manual---a booklet that came with your purchase inside the box---will tell you all about how to set up your digital television, adjust the settings on your TV and help you trouble shoot any problem you have with your digital television. If you've lost the manual, many digital TV manufacturers have placed their television manuals online for quick reference. Use a search engine to search for your television manufacturer online and then go to their site and search their site for your television model. Manuals are usually linked to the main page of a television model on the manufacturer's site.
Step 2

Read Consumer Reports online and other reference sites online to learn more about a digital television. Magazines and periodicals viewable online also review many digital television models and can be a great resource for such information. User-generated video sharing site YouTube also offers great tutorials on technological basic like digital television. Go to YouTube.com and search for digital television and watch the most popular and relevant links.
Step 3

Check out books on digital television from your local library or peruse their periodicals catalog, if you lack an Internet connection. Most libraries contain reference books on things like digital television, as well as stock periodicals that have articles on the topic. Search the libraries card catalog online or in person to find the appropriate materials.
Step 4

Check out government sites on digital television. The federal government recently mandated that all broadcasters switch to a digital signal and engaged in an aggressive public information campaign to prepare the populace for the switch over. Sites like FCC.gov and DTV.gov can help you get started understanding the changes that have been implemented.