high-definition television hdtv dtv atsc

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If one decides to move to an HDTV image that is 1050 lines by 600 pixels (keeping the same frame rate), then this means a bandwidth of 18 MHz. Clearly we have a problem here -- as the current terrestrial channel allocations are limited to 6 MHz!

(As an aside, the word "terrestrial" as used by TV people means conventional wireless TV transmission. This is to differentiate it from satellite or cable.)

The options for terrestrial broadcast (assuming a 20 MHz bandwidth) are roughly as follows:

1. Change the channel allocation system from 6 MHz to 20 MHz.

2. Compress the signal to fit inside the 6 MHz existing bandwidths

3. Allocate multiple channels (2 with compression or three without) for the HDTV signal

Options 1 and 2 are virtually incompatible with current NTSC service. About the only possibility for maintaining compatibility is simultaneous broadcast of NTSC information over certain channels and HD information over other channels.

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