As we speak, the United States is in the process of converting all broadcast TV stations from an analog signal to digital television signal or (DTV). Switching from analog to digital offers endless improvements and advantages. One of the primary advantages is the amount of data that can be broadcast. When using a digital signal you can broadcast far more actual data than you can using an analog signal over the same amount of bandwidth. There is also a large movement to High Definition TV; to be able to take advantage of the benefits of HDTV it is crucial that the US switches to digital transmissions.
The transmission of a signal for HDTV can require up to five times as much data as a standard television signal. In the frequency range allocated for television broadcast there is not enough open bandwidth to transmit that much data via an analog signal. To accommodate more HDTV transmissions more and more transmissions in the US will have to be digital. It is possible to greatly increase the amount of compression applied to the data within the signal with digital transmissions as compared to analog transmissions. Digital transmissions use the Mpeg 2 standard of compression; with this compression technology it is possible to compress the data as much as 55 to 1. The standard is what is known as a "lossy" standard, which does mean that there is some quality lost. However the final quality is still far superior to the NTSC standard currently used for analog television transmissions. The Mpeg 2 standard is already the standard compression used for DVD's and digital satellite stations. The final quality of a digital signal is far superior to an analog signal for several reasons. First as stated earlier the Mpeg 2 is a superior technology to the NTSC and creates a better product before it is transmitted. Secondly digital signals do not allow for any loss of quality during the transmission. Analog transmissions are transmitted as a wave signal, which allows for signal degradation during the transmission. Digital signals are a series of 1's and 0's and only require that the signal be strong enough to be received. As long as the signal is received then the data will be a perfect reproduction of the data that was originally transmitted. With an analog signal though as the signal power decreases so does the quality. The weaker the signal the lower the quality of the image that is reproduced by the television receiver at the other end of the signal. This is what causes static and "snow" when you watch anything broadcast with an analog signal. Because of the improved quality and improved flexibility in broadcast format there are many good reasons for the US to make the switch to digital. In less than six months all of the Nations television stations will be broadcasting a digital signal only. February 17, 2009 to be precise. If you are not prepared, you will be left with nothing but static on your TV.
You can receive the new signal format if you have recently purchased a new television set. All television sets manufactured in the last few years have a built-in digital tuner. If you to keep your current set operating, then you will need to purchase a set top "Digital Converter Box*" to continue to receive your local broadcast stations.
Photography experts have attempted to rebuff the ever growing influx of the digital age since time immemorial. Even until today, many who consider themselves true photographers opt for manual cameras with traditional film. But an increasing number of artists have realized that the new technology of today can not only be used effectively for practical purposes, but can also be used to create art in a new way. This is a revolutionary way that would not be available but for our digital age.
Of course, artistic digital photography, like traditional photographic art, takes a special kind of camera. That is not to say that amateurs cannot create art with a standard point and shoot digital camera, but rather, that those who are serious about digital photography as an art form prefer a specific type of camera: the digital single-lens reflex or dSLR. A dSLR is really nothing more than a duplication of the traditional manual version, the SLR. It operates on the same principles, with one obvious difference: a SLR would have film; whereas a dSLR has what is called an image sensor called a CCD or CMOS.
But what makes dSLR's and SLR's different from other cameras in general? Well, a traditional camera makes use of an off axis viewfinder (mounted above or to the side of the actual image the lens "sees") that can distort the image you see and want to capture, creating what is called "parallax". With an SLR, this is remedied by using an internal prism to project the same image seen in the lens up and onto the viewfinder, by passing the parallax distortion that occurs in other cameras.
Since artists have generally preferred the accuracy of SLR's, the inception and growing adoption of their digital counterparts has made artistic digital photography spark from an ember to a roaring bonfire of popularity. Because of the manual functionality inherent in most models and the speed, a dSLR camera is preferred by many over a digital camera. Enough with the technical banter. Put simply, as digital cameras swiftly become faster and allow higher resolution, their following in the artistic world grows. In fact, at this point in time, digital cameras are even beginning to surpass their manual predecessors, something that some traditional photographers can scarcely believe to be true.
Of course, digital photography does have its downsides when compared to traditional film, but it also has its perks. The digital side actually has greater technological advantages than what many believe. With digital image filters, special processors and incredibly powerful computer based editing tools, an artist can truly make pixels come alive in a whole new way with digital photography. With traditional film, an artist must spend hours in a darkroom, processing film and mixing chemicals in order to turn out the print that they are looking for.
With digital film editing tools, the need for the complex development process is all but gone: a digital photographer need only upload his images to a computer and he is then free to edit them to his hearts content: complex processes such as cropping, light filters, rotating, highlighting, color spectrum adjustments, and layering can all be done with the click of a mouse.
Whether you are an amateur photographer who wants to make the most of their hobby or a professional artist who needs control, speed and accuracy as well as editing ability, artistic digital photography can turn simple images on an internal processor into stunning, compelling art. So what are you waiting for? Get that freedom and power from digital photography and start creating the art that you've always wanted.
Both Steven Lancey & Tracy Hargraves are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Steven Lancey has sinced written about articles on various topics from Interest, Computers and The Internet and Family. *To purchase a digital converter box visit: . Steven Lancey's top article generates over 6600 views. to your Favourites.
Tracy Hargraves has sinced written about articles on various topics from Guide Guitar, Modelling and Family. Tracy Hargraves who is also a photography and fine arts enthusiast, represents a group of world’s who create. Tracy Hargraves's top article generates over 8100 views. to your Favourites.