WD TV HD 1080P Media Player - Use with External WD HDDs

What Is High Definition And How Is It Different From Standard Definition?
High Definition or "HD" is a technological leap forward from standard definition, with up to 6x the picture resolution, so that what you see is sharper and more realistic.  Regular TVs and the TV channels you watch at home are typically in standard definition (unless you watch HD channels).  DVD are also in standard definition.  Standard definition (480i & 480p) is lower quality than high definition.  Many older TV sets are standard def, and can only show standard def content (programming).  Many new TVs are called High Definition TVs (HDTV).  They are capable of showing high def content in: 720p, 1080i, and 1080p, all high definition formats, but 1080p provides the highest picture quality of them all.
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HDMI is the first and only digital interface to combine uncompressed high-definition video, multi-channel audio and intelligent format and command data in a single digital interface. HDMI offers significant advantages over analog A/V connections, including the ability to transmit uncompressed digital video and audio content.  With these capabilities, HDMI is, and will be the evolving interconnection standard for the future of consumer electronics!

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Take 1080p video with advanced 12-bit (or higher) color, also called Deep Color, available right now from the PlayStation® 3, and several HDTV makers. To experience this level of high definition performance, your HDMI cable must exceed the requirements of the HDMI 1.3a, CAT 1 specification, and support an astonishing cable data rate of 6.68 Gbps (Giga bits per second). That's more than six billion bits per second, six times the data rate required for standard DVD playback. That speed is also higher than what's required for Simplay HD verification. In other words, just because a cable is Simplay HD logo on the packaging, doesn't necessarily mean it supports Deep Color.

Below is an illustration of bandwidth requirements for different standards. The more picture and sound information that is transferred, the wider the bandwidth that is needed in the cable. You'll note that a DVD player transfers at data rate of 0.81 Gbps and needs a much smaller bandwidth than a Playstation 3 with a data transfer rate of 6.68 Gbps.

Not every one of your HD or Home Theater components features all advanced technologies, therefore different components and TVs have different data transfer rate requirements. That is, different components require different speeds.

This makes selecting the best cable for your HDTV or HD Home Theater more complex. To get all the performance and quality you paid for, you need to buy a true high performance cable that's fully compliant with the most current HDMI standards, and preferably one that exceeds today's standards, so you don't have to upgrade your cable when you add or upgrade HD components in the future

Be sure to select HDMI cable brands that give you a choice of high performance speed-rated cables, specifically designed for your various levels of high definition picture and sound.

For the best high definition experience, use an HDMI cable that delivers all of the picture and sound data your HD components require. Choose cables that are Simplay HD Verified and speed rated for the highest levels of high definition, now and in the future.

Today's high performance components need the highest performance cable possible to get all of the picture and sound quality that you paid for.

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HDMI™ is the trademark of HDMI Licensing, LLC.

How can I identify which HDMI products support a specific feature, such as DVD Audio or Deep Color?
The key for consumers to remember is that HDMI has consistently enabled a variety of the most innovative new technologies (whether they are DVD Audio, SACD, 1080p/60, etc.). However, in many cases, it is up to each manufacturer to choose which features to implement in any given product. The manufacturer can choose the mix of features that makes sense for its customers and products. So, customers must choose devices that have the features that they want (instead of focusing on which version of HDMI is implemented by the device.). Consumers interested in confirming whether a particular consumer electronics product supports DVD-Audio or any other feature over HDMI are urged to review users’ manuals and product reviews, or check with manufacturers directly.

What Is Firmware Upgradeable?
Many of today's electronics product are designed for today's standards.  Yet like personal computers, they have advanced capabilities that will let them be upgraded for use with new technologies and standards.  The ability to upgrade the firmware of an electronics product allows you to extend the useful lifespan of the device you purchase, and be able to expect support for many (if not all) of the emerging new standards.

What is the difference between Active HDMI and Passive HDMI?
There is no active or passive HDMI in the HDMI specification. These terms apply to cables. Active cables have built-in electronics to enable long cable runs, and typically these cables require a power supply. These cables use active electronics to help push the signal farther than typical passive cables.