It wasn't long ago that people frequently asked questions that now seem utterly ridiculous such as "How do I get the Internet on my computer?" and "Where's the World Wide Web?". At some point in the near future, similar questions about HDTV will likely seem rather funny but, for the moment, the whole affair does require some clarification.

HDTV depends on two things: a television capable of displaying in High Definition and a service provider that broadcasts in High Definition. One can certainly watch standard definition programs on an HDTV but that alone does not make an HDTV viewing experience.

HDTVs are digital devices. Instead of creating their picture using a series of lines that cross the screen and upon which are "drawn" the image, as do analog televisions, HDTV also makes use of pixels to create the image, just as does your computer screen. The smaller these pixels are, the more clear the image. The "resolution" of a television describes this picture clarity in terms of the number of pixels that occupy one inch of screen space. The higher the number, the better the resolution.

The broadcast must also be in HD format to display at its maximum possible quality. Many broadcasts now carry the letters "HD" in the corner to inform the viewer that the program is being delivered at this quality. If the broadcast is of standard quality, the television set will display it at that resolution rather than at the highest resolution of which the set is capable.

Most programming that greatly benefits from high definition is already available in that format, particularly from satellite providers. Sports, nature programming and movies are commonly available in these formats. The quality is readily apparent, especially in scenes where there is a great deal of detail. On a close up shot, it's not uncommon to be able to see the tiny holes in a football player's jersey or the most intimate details of an actor's expression. In fact, a fun way to explore the difference is to watch programs that weren't designed for HD's razor sharp format. Flaws in makeup, and sometimes in the performer's faces, will be readily apparent in an HD rendition of the broadcast.

Definitely more fun, however, and certainly of more value, is watching nature programs in HDTV. Panoramic shots are not only expansive, but possessed of an incredible, lifelike detail. Shots of open water reveal every ripple and wave and grasslands are so realistically rendered that one can practically smell the aroma of the plants. HDTV, while it's amazing for sports and movies, is also a means by which television's ability to transport us to distant lands has been given a new lease. Watching big predators chase down the most fleet-footed game has always been exciting, but in HDTV one can almost feel the pounding of the hooves on the dirt and the lungs expanding with the effort. Then again, that may just be the stereo quality, another great benefit of HD broadcasts.