Frequently Asked Questions
Gateway 42-Inch Plasma Television      Show Part Numbers

Q: What are HDTV, EDTV, and SDTV?

A: HDTV, EDTV, and SDTV refer to the ability of a digital television to display various digital TV broadcasts. Digital TV broadcasts can be transmitted using any of eighteen formats.

High definition television (HDTV) - Receives all 18 formats and displays high-definition images using 540 lines, 1080 lines interlaced, or 720 lines progressive scanning method, without down-converting.

Enhanced definition television (EDTV) - Receives all 18 formats including high-definition broadcasts. All 18 formats are re-displayed at 480 lines using progressive scan method. This method reduces flicker, but picture quality may not out-perform the normal 480 interlaced format when viewed at normal viewing distances.

Standard definition television (SDTV) - Receives all 18 formats including high-definition broadcasts. All 18 formats are re-displayed at 480 lines using interlacing, as with current analog televisions. This means that high-definition broadcasts are down-converted in order to display the image at 480 lines.