DTV vs HDTV

What’s the difference between DTV, SDTV and HDTV?

DTV (digital television) and HDTV (high-definition television) are referring to the type of broadcast; SDTV (standard definition television) is referring to the type of TV. Digital television means that the broadcast is being sent out digitally. HDTV is a form of digital television and is the highest quality of broadcast today. SDTV allows you to receive and display a digital picture, but not HD.

Different quality levels of digital television:

• Standard definition TV (SDTV)
  SDTV is the basic level of quality display and resolution for both analog and digital. Transmission of SDTV may be in either the traditional (4:3) or widescreen (16:9) format.
• Enhanced Definition TV (EDTV)
  EDTV is a step up from Analog Television. EDTV comes in 480p widescreen (16:9) or traditional (4:3) format and provides better picture quality than SDTV, but not as high as HDTV.
• High Definition TV (HDTV)
  HDTV in widescreen format (16:9) provides the highest resolution and picture quality of all digital broadcast formats. Combined with digitally enhanced sound technology, HDTV sets new standards for sound and picture quality in television.

Sources: HH Gregg, Federal Communications Commission