Digital Video vs Analog

To the uninitiated, the digital video vs analog difference is not quickly apparent; after all, they are both video, right? Well - sort of. It is true that analog television is pretty much the kind of medium with which we have all grown up. It is a comfort to see some of the old shows and movies, and we know that we always loved what the tube had to offer, right?

Well, perhaps not. Consider for a moment that so far analog television was the gold standard in regular television fare. Pictures were taken by a television camera which then turned the images into pixels. After certain signals are added that will permit your television to descramble the pixels, they are sent via the air waves or maybe your cable television provider to your home. Fort his reason you were able to pick up the basic channels with the help of some rabbit ears or the roof top antenna. At times, you might have even been able to do so with the help of a metal coat hanger and some of mom's aluminum foil.

You might say there is nothing wrong with analog, after all, it look pretty good coming in your house. Perhaps, but did you know that the resolution on your TV set could be better? As a matter of fact, did you know that the resolution on your computer screen is probably better than that of your TV, no matter how big your analog set is? It is true! Most computer screens are able to display about 640x480 pixels. Some of the older ones probably cannot, but generally speaking, this is the numbers being bandied about when you are purchasing a computer screen today. Your average analog TV set, however, only displays 512x400 pixels. This is quite a difference! You probably have noticed the crispness of the webpage display on your computer monitor as compared to the slight fuzziness on your analog TV screen.

Fortunately, the techies are hard at work, and are trying to provide more and more consumers with the opportunity to have the same resolution on their TV sets that they are currently enjoying on their computers. To this end, digital televisions have been developed which will be able to descramble the high definition signals sent to them. Rabbit ears will not longer do the trick, and instead you will probably need to rent or invest in a desk top box that will receive the signal and then feed it into your television. The major satellite providers are already offering this technology.

As to whether there really is a difference in the output of digital video vs analog - go visit your local big box computer and appliance outlet store. You will have no problem following the earsplitting sounds of crashing metals or whatever else might be shown at the time. Take a seat in front of one of their televisions and you will soon feel like you have been transported into a movie theater! The picture is crisp, clear, and without blurs. The sound is so realistic that it will take your breath away. In short, this is as close to real life as you can get with a gadget!