It is all an issue of Image Resolution
There are currently a number of different HDTV formats as adopted by the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC), based on 720p, 1080i, and 1080p - using refresh rates that vary between 24 Hz and 60 Hz.
The main difference between these HDTV formats is one of image resolution.
The 720p is on the lower-end of the scale with an image resolution of 1280 pixels by 720 lines. The other two formats both support 1920 pixels by 1080 lines. In other words, both support the same image resolution but there is a significant difference in the way the 1080i (interlaced) and the 1080p (progressive) formats build up the image.
Surely, image
...Picture By Picture system. The picture by picture feature allows viewing of 2 different video sources simultaneously. For example, you may watch a sporting program on a large Projector and watch a second different program on a secondary display. A ...
On the other hand, the way the 1080i and the 720p formats build up the image may render the lower resolution 720p format more suitable to display certain image content.
In other words, do not simply jump to conclusions as to which HD format is best. As we will see in this article, each of these different HDTV formats has got its strengths and weaknesses.
1080i: Up to a
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This format boasts a picture resolution of 1920 pixels by 1080 horizontal lines that are painted on the screen in two interlaced halves (hence the ‘i’ in the ‘1080i’ format) - by first painting all 540 even-numbered lines on the screen (also referred to as the even-field), and then proceed with the painting of the odd-numbered lines (odd-field). These two fields together form a single frame of 1080 lines.
In the process, the screen is painted 60 times per second (50 times in a PAL signal) - each time painting only half of the lines per frame,
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Because of the way the interlaced process paints the screen, all picture information contained in adjacent odd and even lines in an interlaced image is 1/60th of a second out-of-synch with the next or previous line. This difference between the two halves of the picture would show up in what are referred to as ‘interlaced artifact’. This in itself will impact on the type of image content that is best displayed on an interlaced display.
720p and 1080p HDTV: In contrast, in all progressive-scan formats - 480p (EDTV), and 720p and the 1080p HDTV displays - all scanning lines in a single frame are displayed sequentially in
...usable. So the term peak lamp life - the time the lamp will last at eighty to ninety percent of total brightness is commonly used by manufacturers. In contrast to metal halide lamps that burn with a very white light, ...
The Bottom Line
The 1080i format is more widely supported by manufacturers and broadcasters; broadcasters however would normally broadcast only in either 720p or 1080i but not both. This should not be much of an issue in that any HDTV set you buy should be able to display pictures in any HDTV format by up-converting or down-converting to its native format, i.e. the one in which it’s designed to produce a picture.
Theoretically, from a pixel-count perspective, 1080i supports better spatial resolution than a 720p HDTV. In theory, 1080i supports
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The situation with 1080p HDTV is totally different than that of 1080i. 1080p supports the full 1920 x 1080 pixels (2.07 million pixels) while at the same time, enjoys the added benefit that all 1080 lines are displayed in a single pass.
In other words, 1080p HDTV combines the superior resolution of the 1080 format with the smooth
...and energy efficient. DLP TV - DLP or Digital Lighting Processing technology has come in recently. These projection TVs use a computer chip equipped with innumerable mirrors, which project and then reflect the picture. The picture quality is superior. Today, ...
N.B: It is worth mentioning here that interlaced formats aren’t really an option in fixed-pixel displays (DLP and LCD rear-projection as well as plasma and LCD flat-panel). This also explains why display manufacturers are shifting away from the 1080i and instead moving directly from 720p to 1080p HDTV.
And What about 1080p HDTV Sets?
Surely, 1080p HDTV represents the latest developments in HD Television technology. A few of these sets have already started to hit the market.
Not surprisingly, there is a premium one has to pay to get the latest and best in the HDTV world. 1080p HDTV sets do not come cheap but the price gap between a 720p and a
...with this type of installation. The screen itself is made of a fabric that will be stretched onto a frame and then fastened into place. A wrinkle free white surface should be the end result. If it is not wrinkle ...
Should you opt for a 1080p HDTV Set, and are these sets worth the extra expense?
Well, there is no straight answer here. It all depends on what are your requirements, yet there are a few facts you should know before making any decision:
Surely, these sets are capable of producing spectacular results with ultra sharp images. But whether you will be able to see the difference in image quality between a 720p display and a 1080i signal displayed on a 1080p HDTV display depends on your TV viewing distance and screen size, more than on the screen native resolution. (It is
...these are not the same. In fact, with the next step (SDTV) right around the corner, I don't see a long lifespan for EDTV. EDTV provides better quality than standard analog TV, but not as sharp and crisp as HDTV. ...
In reality, it would be very difficult to detect any difference in image detail between 720p and 1080i/p HDTV material on the smaller sets from 10-feet away. Sit closer and feed your 1080p HDTV set with a good quality HD source, and you will start to see the difference.
Further more, with most of today HD broadcasts, you will be hard pressed to see a difference in picture quality when you compare the image on current 720p sets versus the latest 1080p HDTV models. Surely, if you are thinking of going really big, then the
...provide more image clarity and sharpness. Moreover, the projector is completely hidden from view. Most screens these days are covered with velvet trim to absorb any light from the projector. They have a 3-inch wide and 1 -inch deep frame ...
Nevertheless, one cannot but remark that the whole equation in favor of 1080p HDTV sets has started to change. There are a number of factors that are pointing towards the latest in HDTV - and it is not just the marginal difference in price between 720p and 1080p HDTV sets. In particular, there is the advent of high definition movie players; these will be taking a dominate role
...sharp contrast, and super bright images, they enable presentations with persuasive impact in a variety of situations. Some factors which help in choosing a better Auditorium LCD Projector are: Lumens, Resolution, Lens Power, Keystone Correction, Scanning Frequency, Contrast, Lens Throw ...
(c) 2004/2005 www.practical-home-theater-guide.com. All rights reserved.
Andrew Ghigo A Telecoms/Electronics engineer by profession, with specialization in digital switching and telecoms fraud management systems.
Editor and publisher of http://www.practical-home-theater-guide.com
...a home theatre projector for displaying the movie on a screen. A big picture is definitely better than a big screen TV because a home theatre projector costs much les than a bid screen TV simply because the projection equipment ...
This article is an excerpt from a series of guides appearing under the [http://www.practical-home-theater-guide.com/Rear-projection-tv-reviews.html]Rear Projection TV Reviews section of the site.