Screening in High Standard

Abstract

This chapter introduces the innovation of television by looking at the development of high definition television (HDTV). It argues that the way that the interaction of technological, industrial, and political actors has been crucial in several stages of the development of this innovation. Central question is how industry, broadcasters, and consumers have debated and defined a medium and consequently redefine a medium through innovations. The complexity and the way actors have played a part within the changing media environment is analyzed by looking at the necessity for technological change of the television standard, by relating the media film and television in transition from analogue to digital and by studying case studies of political debates and policy in Europe and the United States.

"Who's Afraid of High Def?' Institutional Factors Influencing HDTV Diffusion in the Netherlands

“…After the introduction of color TV in the 1960's, a new analog image line standard was introduced in the late 80's, called 'high definition television' or HDTV. In Europe, before it could be introduced to the public, it was abandoned by the industry that started concentrating on a digital television standard coming from the U.S. (Agterberg, 2007). Since 2004, HDTV came back to Europe in its digital form and has been introduced to the public.…”