RTB (Radio Televisyen Brunei) urged the local broadcasting industry to embrace the HD format to sync with RTB's broadcasting capability or efforts rather. These were said by the new acting Director of RTB during the signing ceremony of drama production in which we were involved in. The rest of the story is here.
Now! the question remains. We were thinking of calling up RTB to clarify RTB's objectives and apporoach to HD programming on 10th January 2009. But we decided not to because of the somehow 'strange' things been happening here in Brunei. Email me for that. Sensitive people in Brunei you know ;-p.
Anyways, we held a meeting, a discussion rather at a small coffee shop near Penanjong, Tutong. So there were we talking about HD and HDTV amidst the sound of monkeys and birds.

RTB is going HD and started implementing the setup box more or less like the one that Astro has. Since 1997, MMQ has been pursuing the focus on content development, in tandem with the progress in Broadcast technology. In Brunei, its not just about HD or broadcast technology, viewers here in Brunei also need high quality, localized, entertaining, informative and original content. Sadly this has not been highly prioritize in Brunei, so MMQ as content development experts has quite a few programmes in the pipeline should the need arise whether for local viewers and for the global audience.

So HD and you. Here it is..credit will be given after you read this.

What is High-definition (HD)?
High-Definition (HD) is a revolutionary digital technology for broadcasting and displaying programmes in widescreen format and finer detail, as compared with analogue TV. An HD-Ready TV displays 16:9 aspect ratio images, also known as Widescreen, which means that the screen is 16 units in length by 9 units in height, compared with analogue TV which is 4 units in length by 3 units in height. When presented with Surround Sound, it will give you a cinematic experience.
Will my analogue TV become obsolete?
Not immediately. Broadcasters will continue to offer analogue programmes for the next several years. The analogue TV can also display HD content, however, limited by the resolution of the TV set, the content displayed will be of lower quality than HD. To enjoy the quality of HD, an HD-Ready TV is required.
Will I be able to enjoy existing media on my HD-Ready TV?
Content and media such as VHS, VCD and DVD can be viewed on your HD-Ready TV. However, you will not experience the full quality of HD. To view HD quality, the input source must be in HD.
What are the benefits of HD?
Superior Quality:
HD’s greater number of lines brings greater clarity such as smoother motion, richer and more natural colors. HD delivers a minimum of 720 horizontal lines, up to 1080 lines currently, whereas the analogue PAL format which is used in Brunei delivers 576 lines. When compared with the analogue PAL format, the resolution of HD is approximately five times sharper.
Full Widescreen:
Similar to the movie screen, HD-Ready TV has an aspect ratio of 16:9 which gives you a more cinematic experience.
Surround Sound:
Audio will be transmitted with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound where available. With an appropriate home theatre system, the sound effects of the HD programmes will be vastly superior.
What do you need for HD reception at your home?
TV Required HD-Ready TV
Receiver Required
HD DVB-T MPEG4 AVC Set-top box* to decode the HDTV signals, such as Draco 3900 or SnaZio SZ1323
Other Hardware Required
TV Antenna** to pick up the HDTV signals over the air
You can buy an HD-Ready TV with an integrated tuner (may be referred to as IDTV) then you will not need a set-top box.
** The Indoor/Outdoor Antenna must be capable of receiving digital signals; however, the ability to receive the signals will depend on your home's location
6. What are the different formats of an HD-Ready TV?
An HD-Ready TV has the minimum vertical display resolution of at least 720 lines in the aspect ratio of 16:9. HD-Ready TVs come in three formats, basic 720p, 1080i and 1080p. Sometimes, 1080p is also referred to as Full HD.
7. What else can I use my HD-Ready TV for to enjoy HD, besides watching broadcast programmes?
HD-Ready TVs can also be used to watch HD content such as those found on Blu-ray discs, HD DVDs and HD console games. You can also enjoy your high-resolution videos and photos through HD playback solutions, such as those from SnaZio.
8. How can I create my own HD content?
Consumer digital video cameras with HD recording capabilities have recently been introduced. Also known as HDV (High-Definition Video) cameras, these video cameras currently allow you to record HD content with a resolution of up to 1920x1080i, which has five times higher resolution than a standard camera. Depending on brands, HDV video cameras store videos in various formats such as hard drive, flash memory, mini DVD or the more traditional DV tape.
What is High-definition Television (HDTV)?
High-Definition TV is a digital video format which is capable of displaying 16:9 aspect ratio images with resolution that is far superior and sharper than analogue television. Plus, HDTV programmes can be broadcasted with full 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound where available. All of which adds up to a truly incredible television experience.
What is IPTV?
IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) is a digital television service delivered through the internet, usually via a broadband connection. IPTV is often provided in conjunction with Video on Demand and may be bundled with Internet services such as Web access and VoIP.
What is the difference between HDTV and IPTV?
IPTV, like terrestrial broadcast and cable service is the method or technology of receiving television programming. HDTV is the quality at which you receive TV broadcast.
How Digital Television (DTV) works?
Sound and pictures are converted into a digital format and compressed, using as few bits as possible, to convey information on a digital signal. This technique is more efficient as it enables several television programming channels to be carried in the same space as used by analogue signals to carry only one television programming channel.
Digital signals can be received by standard TV aerials, cable or via telephone lines, but the signals have to be decoded and tuned back into sound and pictures using a separate set-top-box.
What is the difference between DTV and analogue TV?
DTV is transmitted as data bits of information, the signal is basically "on" or "off". In other words, the intent of DTV technology is that the viewer either sees an image or nothing at all. There is no gradual signal loss as distance from the transmitter increases. In analogue world, viewer will be expecting ghosting, snowy picture from degraded analogue TV signal.
In addition, since the DTV signal is made up of "bits", the same bandwidth size that takes up a current analog TV signal, can accommodate not only a higher quality image in digital form, but the extra space not used for the TV signal can be used for additional video, audio, and text signals.
In other words, broadcasters can supply more features, such as surround sound, multiple language audio, text services, and more in the same space now occupied by a standard analog TV signal. However, there is one more advantage to the ability of a Digital TV channel's space; the ability to transmit a High Definition (HDTV) signal.
How is HDTV better than my current analogue TV or Standard Definition TV (SDTV)?
The difference between HDTV picture quality and conventional analogue TV/ SDTV quality is immediately noticeable. You will see details that you have never seen before on a television.
Here are some examples:
Detail such as pollen on the flower, fuzz on a tennis ball
When watching sports, you can have a wider view of the football field, subtle detail and movement of the players even on a wide shot
Concerts in HD format will give you an immersive experience with visual detail and digital sound
In short, everything looks and sounds more life-like and more realistic compared to analogue TV.
See to believe.
Resolution
Television images are divided into horizontal lines. With more lines, better picture quality is displayed. Regular televisions display a maximum of 576 interlaced lines at a time. HDTV sets, on the other hand, display up to 720 or 1080 active, viewable lines of resolution.
Aspect Ratio
Aspect Ratio describes the relationship of a screen’s width to its height. HDTV uses a widescreen format of 16:9 – just like in a movie theater. It means that HDTV picture captures everything the film-makers intended. On the other hand, PAL aspect ratio is 4:3.
Widescreen images convey greater visual interest, because they closely mimic our natural field of vision. Widescreen format also creates a panoramic effect for the viewer, conveying more scenery and action.
Scan Modes
How the lines are re-produced on the TV screen is called scanning mode. The two types of HDTV scanning mode are: Interlaced and Progressive
Interlaced (denoted with an “i”) means the screen shows a picture using two field redrawn every 50th of a second. One field contains all the odd lines of the picture, the other field contains all the even lines. Thus, the entire picture is “re-produced” every 25th of a second. As screens get larger, interlaced images flicker more and picture can deteriorate.
Progressive scanning (denoted with “p”) displays all lines at once. with a single picture reproduced every 50th of a second. Less flicker, the smoother motion on the screen, but requiring greater bandwidth from broadcasters and service providers.
Audio
HDTV's digital audio signal sounds better than standard television's analog sound. HDTV programmes will be transmitted in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound where available. When properly decoded with an appropriate surround sound decoder, each audio track can be sent to a different speaker, creating a three-dimensional sound field in your living room.
What is the difference between 1080i and 720p?
HDTV comes in three formats: 1080i, 1080p or 720p effective scanning lines with a picture aspect ratio of 16:9. With SDTV, the aspect ratio is 4:3 and 576 lines for PAL (Phase Alternation Lines) format which is used in Brunei. When compared with PAL-format SDTV, resolution of HDTV is approximately 5 times sharper.
Do I need a special antenna to watch the HD channels?
In order to receive HD broadcasting over-the-air, you will require an active indoor antenna capable of receiving digital broadcast signals to be connected to a set-up box. However, depending on the location, an outdoor antenna may be required if the signals from the indoor antenna are not sufficient.
What are the minimum requirements for “HD-Ready” displays?
The minimum native resolution of the display must be at least 720 physical lines in aspect ratio of 16:9. The display must be able to resolve either 720p, 1080i or 1080p.
The display device must accept HD input via:
Analogue Component Y-Pb-Pr, and/ or
HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) or DVI ( Digital Visual Interface)
HD capable inputs must accept the following HD video formats:
1280 x 720 @ 50 Hz progressive ( “720p”)
1920 x 1080 @ 50 Hz interlace ( “1080i” )
The HDMI or DVI input must support content protection , HDCP (High- Bandwidth Digital Content Protection System)
What’s the average price of “HD-Ready” TV sets?
Currently, the price of “HD-Ready” TV set range from BND1,500 up to BND10,000 depending on size, brand and type of display.
Where can I buy the necessary equipment to watch HDTV programming?
Email us at mmqmedia@gmail.com to know more about this in Brunei.
What are the types of TV displays available?
CRT (Cathode-Ray Tube)
CRT stands for cathode-ray tube. Invented in 1897, even nowadays it is the most common display technology for televisions. The tube uses an electron beam to scan lines on the screen coated with phosphor, which glows when struck by the beam.
Rear Projection
Rear projection is a TV system where the picture is projected against a mirror inside the cabinet and you can watch it as you would an average television. Until recently, the rear projection TVs comprised three CRTs but the new types of rear projection TVs include LCD.
Front Projection TV
Front-projection TV comprises 2 parts – a separate front projector (usually placed on a table or ceiling-mounted) and a reflective screen (or simply a wall). The projector is placed at one end of the room, the screen is at the other end, and the speakers may be placed wherever they will provide you good sound experience. The picture can be rather large but remember – the larger the picture, the more visible the pixels or scan lines and the darker the image.
Plasma TV
Plasma display is created by thousands of tiny tubes filled by ionized gas in a plasma state. Ionized gas is very light and flat panel TVs made by this technique can be even hanged on the wall! Plasma displays offer excellent resolution and color and they are the most suitable for the home theatre.
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
LCD stands for Liquid Crystal Displays. LCD screens are made of several polarized glass panels, between which are liquid crystal molecules. An electric current is run through the crystal molecules, changing their position in respect to the glass. As light passes through the molecules, these changes in angle result in different lightness/ darkness patterns that produce images on the screen.
There are usually three polarized glass panels, one with red pixels, blue, and green. This system also produced very accurate, vivid images, but angle is important. The best colors in an LCD display are seen straight-on.
DLP ( Digital Light Processing ) TV
DLP uses a DMD, or Digital Micromirror Device, constructed with1.3 million microscopic mirrors. Each of these mirrors is essentially a single pixel. When a digital signal enters the DLP system, each mirror is either activated or not, resulting in tapestry of mirrors tilting either towards the DLP light source or away.
This process produces different levels of light and dark reflected by each individual mirror. The colors are produced when the DLP light sources run through a red, green, and blue color filter on a moving wheel. Depending on the lightness/ darkness of each mirror, the colors come in an enormous amount of shades, producing vivid color images.
Which display technology is the best?
Each display technology has its pros and cons in terms of cost, size, life span, viewing angle, colour contrast, brightness etc. Consumers are advised to do their research on the display technology and make decision based on their individual preference and requirements. The Minimum Requirements for “HDready” display are neutral towards the technology used (e.g. Plasma, LCD, DLP).
What are the video interfaces available for HDTV?
HDMI (High-definition Multimedia Interface)
Provides an interface between any audio- video source, such as a set-top box, DVD player and a digital television (DTV), over a single cable. HDMI is the only interface in consumer electronics that can carry both uncompressed HD video and uncompressed multi-channel audio in all HD formats including 720p, 1080i and even upcoming 1080p. An all-digital, uncompressed signal translates into the highest quality video and audio, seen and heard, direct from the source. For more information on HDMI, please refer to http://www.hdmi.org
11.2. DVI ( Digital Visual Interface )
DVI stands for Digital Visual Interface. A DVI interface connection can transfer a digital video signal from a source component (such as from a DVI-equipped DVD player, cable, or satellite box) directly to a video display (such as LCD TV, plasma TV) that also has a DVI connection, without conversion to analog. This can result in a better quality image from both standard and high definition video signals.
Component Video ( Y, Pr, Pb )
Component video separates the video signal into three distinct streams, in which the component video signals are carried via three individual cables. Component video splits the signal into red, green, and blue streams the primary colors used to create the entire color spectrum in all televisions.
There are two types of component video connections, Y, Cr, Cb, for interlaced signals most commonly found on DVD players, and Y, Pr, Pb for progressive signals, which can be commonly found on progressive scan DVD players, HDTVs, and HD set-top boxes.
What is HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection)?
HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) is a specification developed by the Intel Corporation to control digital audio and video content as it travels across Digital Visual Interface (DVI) or High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connections. It is a form of digital rights management (DRM), developed by Intel, Inc. to inhibit the unauthorized distribution of digital video material through copying.
It consists of "keys" (data) incorporated in the video data together with proprietary encryption (scrambling) circuitry and software in the various video components (tuner, TV, DVD player, etc.) that handle HDTV. Material that is protected may only be transmitted digitally and to components that decrypt the material prior to processing and re-encrypt the material before transmitting the material to another component using certain digital transmission formats including DVI that include the encryption.
Consumers are advised to purchase display set that is able to support HDCP to ensure interoperability.
How will the DVDs look on an HDTV set as compared to a non HDTV set?
DVD contains 720 horizontal pixels by 480 vertical pixels. Although DVD has superior resolution and image quality, when compared to analogue source, it is still only half the resolution of HD images. “HDReady” TV set will display higher image resolution as compared to non-HDTV set.
Although HD has been around for several years, the compression standard used is MPEG-2. For this trial, we are testing with MPEG-4 AVC. Currently UK, France, Italy, Sweden, Norway and Estonia have started or announced that they will trial HD using MPEG-4 AVC on the terrestrial platform.