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EDTV – Enhanced Definition Television

Vangie Beal
Last Updated May 24, 2021 7:41 am

Short for Enhanced Definition Television, EDTV is a common name for a particular subset of the DTV (Digital Television) standards, but is considered to be specifically a part of the HDTV format. EDTV offers advancements over SDTV, but not near the quality and performance of HDTV. On a large display screen, EDTV only simulates HDTV viewing quality. EDTV operates as 480p (where 480 represents the vertical resolution and p represents progressive scan). To take advantage of the 480p standard, you must use a video source that outputs that signal (i.e. a DVD player) and the display must be able to read the 480p input signal. EDTV also offers the benefits of Dolby digital surround sound.

* EDTV Minimum Performance Attributes:

  • Receiver: Receives ATSC terrestrial digital transmissions and decodes all ATSC Table 3 video formats
  • Display Scanning Format: Has active vertical scanning lines of 480 progressive (480p) or higher
  • Aspect Ratio: None Specified
  • Audio: Receives and reproduces, and/or outputs Dolby Digital audio

(* Adapted from Digital Connection)