HDTV, High Definition Television, is a type of digital television broadcast that is of a much higher resolution as opposed to regular broadcast television. Resolution refers to the number of pixels in a specific area which in turn make up the digital image. The higher the resolution of that image, the more quality the picture will have, thus making the picture of a high definition quality. Since its broadcast digitally, it's also very closely related to the creation of digital television. DTV uses digital signals instead of analog signals. Today most TVs have the ability to receive both digital and analog signals. The digital signals are received through a box which is then attached to the television set and decodes the signal as it displays it on a regular analog Television set. High Definition Television also has several picture benefits as well. One such affect, is that colors on the screen appear more realistic. The resolution is very high in quality. This is what makes it possible to watch a broadcast on larger screens all the while holding on to that outstanding picture quality. A High definition televisions' sound is also greatly enhanced. In the 70's & 80's, the first HDTV had already been developed as a prototype in Japan. This was looked at as a way to improve television quality, thus making it easier to sell more TV's. The 1st high definition system was called "MUSE" and it promised to offer customers the highest quality of sound and picture available.

When it was time to introduce High Definition to the United States it was met with mixed responses. When the first sets hit the market in 1998, movie buffs & sports fans alike got really excited at the idea. Ads for the sets hinted at a television which promised picture resolution unlike no other as well as digital surround sound. With it, you could also play movies in their original wide-screen format. Most manufacturers of televisions create HDTVs in many different styles. The prices vary from low to high depending on the size of the screen and the technology used. Cost could be anywhere from $500 for a small CRT monitor upwards to $20,000 for the more expensive plasma sets. Unlike BETA VCRs, High definition television is one form of technology that is created to withstand the test of time. With decades of development and research that have gone into optimizing the Television system, it is likely to endure for many decades to come.