With WWE HD programming launching harder than a Triple H-wielded sledgehammer this Monday night, you might be wondering how to watch Raw, SmackDown and ECW on a high-definition television.

So here are the facts, answering many commonly asked questions about how to get WWE HD for your HDTV:

What is HDTV, exactly?:

High-definition broadcasts allow viewers to watch a much sharper, clearer and more colorful picture. The reason for this is the number of pixels an HDTV television can display.

Normal analog TV broadcasts display 480 lines of pixels on the screen in the common 4:3 aspect ratio. HDTVs can display up to 1,080 lines of pixels on screen, and use a 16:9 widescreen or "letterbox" aspect ratio. This allows for up to 10 times the amount of pixels on screen, which creates a picture just as captivating as a Jeff Hardy Swanton Bomb off the top of a ladder. Pretty cool, huh?

OK, so what do I need to watch HDTV?

You need three things:

1. 1. An HD source, which can be a local, cable or satellite HDTV station.
2. 2. A means to receive the signal -- through a TV antenna, or through a cable or satellite service.
3. 3. An HDTV-ready television set.
4.  

How do I get an HD source for my TV? Who do I call?

Most cable and satellite companies provide their subscribers with an HDTV cable box or receiver. Check with your local cable or satellite provider to make sure you have the proper equipment to view WWE HD on your HDTV.

If your TV has an integrated HDTV tuner, you can use an antenna and pick up a digital HDTV signal over the air.

Only The CW Network, which broadcasts Friday Night SmackDown (8/7 CT), is available locally with an over-the-air antenna. Call your local CW Network affiliate for more information on how to receive their digital HD signal over the air.

Yes! I have a digital cable or satellite box. Can I get WWE HD?

HDTV lineups vary depending on the provider. Check with your local cable or satellite provider for the availability of HD networks on their digital TV services and their position on their channel lineups.

To watch WWE HD, your carrier must carry HD feeds for USA Network (for Monday Night Raw, 9/8 CT), Sci Fi Network (for ECW on Tuesdays, 10/9 CT) and The CW Network (for Friday Night SmackDown, 8/7 CT).

What about WWE pay-per-view events in HD?

The 2008 Royal Rumble will be the first-ever WWE pay-per-view event broadcast in HD. Check with your cable or satellite provider for their HD pay-per-view event lineups, plus how to purchase the event for your home.

For a more-detailed technical primer on HDTV, visit HowStuffWorks.com and their primer on HDTV.