If a picture is worth a thousand words, in high definition, you'll have to multiply that five times over. Not since the introduction of color in the late 1950's has TV gotten such a radical makeover.

While the picture you're watching now is standard definition-it's good, but come this January it will be great. When you watch the Newschannel 8, it's a resolution revolution.

"We work very hard to try to be one step ahead" said DJ Wison, President and General Manager of KGW-TV. For the first time in it's history, KGW held a press conference to announce the news. Wilson said Portland is the perfect market to make the $3.5 million dollar investment. She says people in Portland are high tech savvy.

KGW joins a short list of some 60 television stations across the country that have converted to HD newscast. KGW will be the first and only commercial station in portland to broadcast it's local and news programming in true HD.

"This is just one more step in taking a leadership role in the marketplace to try and serve our viewers better and make their experience better" said Rod Grammar, Executive News Director for KGW.

It will take more than 500 pieces of new equipment to make the transition from standard to high definition, which is five time sharper than regular 4 x 3 and 6 x9 widescreen that some news stations are using.

"Widescreen uses essentially standard definition technology like we've always had for years. That signal has been made to fit the new widescreen TV's. But there's no enhanced resolution there", said Eric Dausman, Director of Engineering for KGW.

In addition to HD studio cameras, High Definition weather graphics are being installed. Today KGW meteorologist got hands on training. But, everyone agrees, it's not just the bells and whistles of new technology, but what the technology means for you.

It's the feet on the street in terms of news gathering and then it's the equipment that brings it into the home. It's those two that we're focused on every day.

Also: More on Digital and HD TV