Directory Image
This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using our website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Three Important Features to Look Out For While Selecting a DTH HD Box

Author: Compare Dth
by Compare Dth
Posted: Jul 22, 2016

With a total of around 85 million registered DTH (direct-to-home) subscribers, each of the 6 private DTH operators in India is continuously reinventing its services to get a bigger share of the rapidly growing Indian DTH market. As profit margins are increasing on yearly basis, these DTH operators have rather easily surpassed the digital cable operators. As 4k broadcasting has already made its presence felt in India, high definition (HD) television viewing is sooner than later going to completely overtake the standard definition viewing.

Three technical features associated with DTH HD set top boxes (STB) that can help in understanding the difference they bring to your viewing experience are briefly discussed below.

Full HD Resolution (1080p vs. 1080i)

A standard definition STB has a resolution of 480p i.e. vertical resolution of 480 pixels (with mostly, horizontal resolution of 640 pixels). Full HD refers to a resolution of 1080p or 1080i that provides more information than 480p (hence, sharper and more detailed pictures). Now both 1080p or 1080i can provide excellent viewing experience and in normal viewing you wouldn't able to find much difference between the two. However, when you are watching a broadcast that includes rapid movement (cricket or football match), then you can easily see that 1080p is far better than 1080i.

This is due to the fact that 1080i uses interlacing scanning (shown by the letter i) where lines are projected alternatively (odd then even lines) rather than together, as in the case of 1080p (progressive scanning). Thus, 1080p images are comparatively smoother (simultaneously projected) with more detail. Tata Sky HD comes with 1080i with a price of Rs. 1,800 and Videocon D2H HD Digital STB with 1080p capabilities comes at a price of Rs. 1,820.

Aspect Ratio (16:9 vs. 4:3)

It is defined as the relationship between the width & height of a particular image with respect to the resolution of the screen. As it's a ratio, 4:3 aspect ratio means that for every 4 units of width, there are 3 units of height. Hence, 1080i for 16:9 aspect ratio is 1080 vertical pixels and 1920 horizontal pixels (note for 1080 vertical pixels, horizontal value be different than 1920 pixels for 4:3 aspect ratio). In general, 16:9 aspect ratio will be able to provide more information per picture than the 4:3 (used in standard STBs). For this very reason, 16:9 is used as a default format for HD television viewing.

Surround Sound (5.1 vs. 7.1)

As for the best television viewing experience, not only image quality but sound quality is also needed to be excellent. This is where surround sound comes in to provide a more real life sound reproduction. With 5.1 surround sound you'll get the usual front left, right, & centre channels with two additional ones surrounding the user with a subwoofer (for bass). A 7.1 surround sound, on the other hand, has two more channels than the 5.1 configuration at the back for more distinctive sound variations. Whereas, 5.1 configuration is more than enough for average rooms, 7.1 is ideal for large rooms. For not much difference in price, Tata Sky HD comes with 7.1 surround sound and Videocon D2H HD Digital STB comes with 5.1 surround sound.

Must Compare DTH HD Box features Before Buy, Click Here TO COMPARE NOW

About the Author

I love writing a lot and currently working as a Content and Academic Writer. My writing is qualitative, professional and timely which my clients like about me.

Rate this Article
Leave a Comment
Author Thumbnail
I Agree:
Comment 
Pictures
Author: Compare Dth

Compare Dth

Member since: Jul 22, 2016
Published articles: 7

Related Articles