What Makes an HDTV High Definition?

By: Gary Ruplinger
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:21:08
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher | Social Bookmarking
Rating:
 

You keep hearing about it – new high definition DVDs, high definition camcorders, and high definition TVs. And you probably know that high definition means higher quality video, but beyond that it may all be just a bit fuzzy.

If you’re a TV and you want to be labeled as an HDTV, then you need to have one of three formats – 720p, 1080i, or 1080p, with 1080p being the best of the three. The main difference in these formats is resolution. A 720p TV will have a resolution or 1280 pixels by 720 lines. A 1080i or 1080p will have a resolution of 1920 pixels by 1080 lines.

The other factor is the letter behind the number, p and i. They refer to the way the image is built up. The p stands for progressive and the i stands for interlaced. When using an interlaced scan, only half the lines (for a 1080i, that’s 540 lines) are displayed at a time. The lines are alternated so fast (1/30th of a second) that your eyes interpret the two images to be just one. In progressive, all of the lines are displayed at the same time, which provides a smoother looking picture. (Lines are displayed every 1/60th of a second).

Now in a perfect world, we’d all have 103” 1080p plasma displays in our living rooms, however, unfortunately we don’t live in a perfect world, so we have to figure out which HDTV, if any, best suits our needs.

The first question to be asking yourself is what am I going to use it for? Do you watch a lot of movies? Do you plan on getting HD channels from your cable or satellite provider? Are you willing to upgrade the rest of you A/V equipment? These are important questions because if you don’t plan on upgrading to a new DVD player (HD-DVD or Blu-ray), and you don’t want to spend the extra money on an HD box from your cable or satellite provider, then an HDTV probably isn’t for you. You can go buy a nice big screen TV and save yourself several thousand dollars in the process and still just as nice a picture from your standard television programming and standard DVDs as you would with a high definition display.

For those of you who do plan on upgrading the rest of your equipment, then an HDTV may be an investment you’ll want to consider.

Gary Ruplinger is a writer for PlasmaGeeks.com. Be sure to visit his site to learn more about Plasma TVs and HDTVs.

Article source: Expert Articles

Most Recent Articles in Home Audio Video category

  • Are You Seriously Thinking About Installing Your Own Home Theater? - By: Scott Armstrong
    The home theater market in Dallas, Texas can get cofusing, let Home Theatre Dallas help you navigate the waters.
  • What consumers need to do before the digital switch on February 17, 2009 - By: Tony Luna
    On February 17, 2009 all full-power broadcast television stations in the United States will stop broadcasting on analog airwaves and begin broadcasting only on digital. This article will help you determine what you need to do to prepare yourself for the upcoming digital switch.
  • Touch screen DVD Players - By: Orson Dixon
    With many touch screen DVD players available in the market, it may be quite a challenge to choose which player suits your needs the most.
  • The Perfect Paint Job Requires Perfect Planning - By: Virginia Wherland
    You may have heard that the bulk of a paint job, is not in the painting itself, but in the preparation to paint. While this is the case, it's important to note that a solid preparation before painting will also increase your chances of a more successful and professional looking paint job. So, do not overlook the important steps involved in painting preparation. Well thought out preparation will make the job hassle-free and look as good as possible.
  • The Hype and Noise about DVD - By: Sandra Prior
    Video CDs have been around for a while, but the quality they delivered was poor. The high capacity of DVD, on the other hand, allows for really great image quality - much better than VHS - along with cinema quality sound.
  • Preparing to Install Your Home Theater System - By: Vic Metten
    So getting that new HDTV and Hi-Definition DVD player sure has you excited. Now that your home and everything is unboxed and sitting around you on the floor, you see the 50 or so colored jacks staring at you, saying, "Plug me in!" Yes, connecting your Home Theater system can be a daunting task, especially if you don't know what should be hooked up for best quality.
  • Brand Name TV Stands - Guaranteed Excellent Quality - By: Antonio Gabellone
    For high quality material, choose brand name TV stands. Your entertainment system will be safe and secure, considering the durability of these television stands. Choosing a brand name TV stand will surely be worth your time and money.
  • LCD Versus Plasma - Which One is Best? - By: Leon Drell
    A new television is high on everyone's wish list. Who wouldn't love a brand new fifty-inch flat screen TV hanging on their living room wall? These days, the battle between LCD and plasma is on, and choosing sides can be hard. Which one should you purchase?
  • The Basics of Plasma Televisions - By: Leon Drell
    Are you thinking about buying a plasma television for your home? As you may already know, Plasma televisions are becoming increasingly popular as of late, as the prices of Plasma Televisions are becoming more and more affordable each passing year. Plasma televisions can provide excellent viewing experience, and are perfect for those who want to enjoy a high quality home theater.
  • What is DVD? - By: BJ Green
    Some manufacturers originally announced that DVD players would be available as early as the middle of 1996. These predictions were woefully optimistic.