Still trying to decide whether to buy an analog or a digital TV? Too late. Starting in March, every TV capable of receiving a broadcast signal must have a digital tuner built in (video recorders included). That ruling precedes the next big date in the digital-TV transition: February 2009, when all signals hitting the TV will be digital.

Of course, we don’t have to wait until 2009 for next-gen picture and sound. More and more digital programming is available every day, and much of that is the coveted HDTV kind. In fact, by the time the transition to digital TV is complete we’ll be so spoiled by hi-res content that it will be hard to imagine the days of muted colors and soft edges. In this ElectronicHouse.com special report, we take a look at some of the hottest high-definition products and services rolling out in 2007.

HD in 2007 Stories

• HD DVD and Blu-ray Learn to Play Together Dual-format players and discs could open the door for mass adoption of high-definition DVD in the months ahead.


• Standard DVDs Get a Resolution Boost Upconversion breathes new life—and higher resolution—into standard DVDs.


• The Buzz Around 1080p With 1,080 lines of resolution, “Full HD” 1080p is all the rage in the display world.


• HD Content Expands Exponentially In 2007, DirecTV will dramatically expand its HD offerings and the Internet could emerge as a significant HD provider.


• High Resolution Comes to Audio Surround sound just got sweeter. We take a look at the latest formats and developments in high-resolution audio.