Some things are meant for HDTM

Travel excites your senses and makes you feel completely alive. Now, experience that same rush with Travel Channel in HD. Crystal clear, richly-colored images and pure sound transport you to other time zones and other states of mind.

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HD FAQs

Q: What is Travel Channel HD? 

A: Travel Channel HD is just like Travel Channel you already know and love, with the same great shows airing on the exact same schedule—only many of the shows you love on Travel Channel are in crisp, clear high definition. Travel Channel HD’s crystal-clear picture and dynamic sound range bring you deeper into the travel experience than ever before—from the sweep of distant landscapes to the delicious detail of Anthony Bourdain’s most adventurous main course!

 

Q: If I already get Travel Channel, can I watch it in HD? 

A: Travel Channel may be a part of your cable or satellite channel lineup, but that doesn’t mean you can see it in HD. Distribution for Travel Channel HD is different and completely separate from distribution for Travel Channel. To see if it’s available in your area, enter your ZIP Code in the upper left area of this page and follow the instructions.

 

Q: What is HD?

A: HD stands for “high definition.” HDTV is a relatively new all-digital widescreen television format that offers far better picture and sound quality than ever before possible. As the centerpiece of a home theater experience, HDTV offers picture quality that is 4.5 times greater than regular TV, for a crystal-clear viewing experience. HDTV also offers 5.1 channels of surround sound, for a theater-like audio experience that envelops the viewer. When Samantha Brown takes you with her to Latin America, you’ll be immersed in the colorful details, the beautiful scenery, and the exotic sounds of the destination like never before, with Travel Channel HD.

 

Q: If I’m not getting HD now, what kind of television am I watching?

A: If you don’t currently get HDTV, you’re watching standard-definition television (SDTV) through either an analog or digital broadcast. All television signals consist of tiny rows of pixels called scan lines which, taken together across a screen, create a full picture. SDTV has 480 active scan lines, whether displaying a digital or analog broadcast. HDTV, by contrast, has either 720 or 1080 active scan lines, for a much clearer viewing experience.

 

Q: How do I get HDTV? 

A: HDTV requires an HD-capable television set, and a source of HDTV signals—such as your cable or satellite provider. To receive HD signals from your provider, you may need to subscribe to an HD package and get a special set-top box. Get details by using our ZIP Code locator tool in the upper left area of this page. It not only tells you whether or not Travel Channel HD is available in your area, but it also provides your local system’s telephone number and web site so you can get subscription details. While you’re on the line, be sure to tell your provider that you want Travel Channel HD!

 

Q: How do I get Travel Channel HD?

A: Use our handy ZIP Code locator in the upper left area of this page to see if your cable or satellite provider already offers Travel Channel HD. If so, we’ll tell you what channel number it’s on, and you’re all set—as long as you have an HD-capable television set and an HD subscription package through your provider. If you find that your provider doesn’t currently offer Travel Channel HD, be sure to speak up. Your provider values your opinion and knows you made an investment in your HDTV and your HD subscription. It’s important that they provide you with content you want to watch, and that means adding Travel Channel HD.

 

Q: How is Travel Channel HD different from Travel Channel?

A: It’s exactly the same, other than the improved picture and sound quality available through the HD channel. While you’ll find them on two different channels (one for the standard definition channel and another for the HD channel), the shows and schedule are exactly the same.

 

Q: If I’m new to HD, what kind of HDTV should I buy?

A: While we can’t recommend one brand or model over any other, we can certainly help you interpret the jargon and give you some general information to consider:

  • Know the numbers: When you’re going out to purchase an HD television, you’ll encounter one of two numbers: 720 or 1080. These numbers refer to the number of horizontal scan lines that comprise the picture. Since 1080 has more scan lines, the picture has more detail and is therefore crisper—although a 720 display will have far more detail than a traditional television set with its 480 active scan lines.
  • Know the letters: You’ll also encounter one of two letters associated with an HD television: i or p. The letter i stands for “interlaced scan,” meaning that the horizontal scan lines that create the television picture you see are written odd-numbered lines first, then even-numbered lines—with the transition happening so quickly that the brain can’t detect it. The letter p stands for “progressive scan” which means that the horizontal scan lines that create the television picture are written one by one, sequentially, from the top to the bottom. Generally speaking, progressive scan provides less flicker than interlaced scan, and will have less distortion in slow motion or still shots taken from moving video.
  • There’s always a tradeoff: Some of the highest-quality televisions available now offer 1080p display resolution, but at a higher price to accommodate the higher resolution. The picture available through a 1080i or 720p HD set still looks great, although with a slight loss in detail. One other point to consider is screen size—relative to space and cost considerations. If you want a big screen but space is a consideration, flat-panel televisions are a great solution, but they come at a higher price. Rear-projection HDTV sets offer large, clear pictures for less money, but are physically large and heavier, so they may not fit in your living room and may be harder to move. Front-projection HD units give great picture on a home theater screen, but they require a darkened room and are still pretty expensive. Browse through the TV section at a local retail store to learn more about your options, which, as with other electronics, are constantly changing.


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