HD for dummies

[kylera]

Can someone simplify the whole HD number list madness? A simple explanation and order of from "less" HD to "more" HD would also be nice.

[Elusive]

The numbers refer to your TV's resolution. Bigger number = better picture.

For example, regular old SD-TV - Standard Definition TV - is 420. 'Basic HD' is 720 - and as it has a higher resolution than SD-TV, is has a clearer, sharper image. Nothing intense, but it's like a layer of dust has been rubbed off your screen. 1080 is 'better HD', as it's at an even higher resolution than the others - so it's an even better, cleaner picture.

The letters p and i refer to progressive and interlaced video. They're simply different methods the TV uses to display images.

This image also shows the capabilities of different TV resolutions.

That's really the basics. TV sets advertised as 'HD-ready' can be either 720 or 1080 sets. Check the fine print

[evildragon]

Ahem, SD is 480 in the NTSC world, 576 in the PAL world.

[j_factor]

Additionally, standard definition is only 480i. 480p is referred to as either "enhanced definition" or simply "progressive scan". They used to sell "EDTVs" that only did 480p (as well as 480i) but I haven't seen them lately.

Your screen is rendered in horizontal lines of pixels, starting at the top and going downward. If interlaced, half of the lines (in an alternating pattern) will refresh every 1/60th of a second. With progressive the entire screen is refreshed every time.

[evildragon]

Additionally, standard definition is only 480i. 480p is referred to as either "enhanced definition" or simply "progressive scan". They used to sell "EDTVs" that only did 480p (as well as 480i) but I haven't seen them lately.

Your screen is rendered in horizontal lines of pixels, starting at the top and going downward. If interlaced, half of the lines (in an alternating pattern) will refresh every 1/60th of a second. With progressive the entire screen is refreshed every time.

I actually have one of these EDTV's. Hidden thing, they can do 960i too.

[kylera]

Is there a difference between progressive and interlaced video? That is, something a viewer can tell?

[evildragon]

Oh yes.

Interlaced: Flickers
Progressive Scan: Doesn't

[j_factor]

The visual difference between 480i and 480p is actually pretty significant.

[Joe Redifer]

I find it fairly significant as well.

[evildragon]

I just watched Room 1408 today, with my PS2 set to 480p, and it was AWESOME.

I usually have it set to 480i and have the TV de-interlace it. NOOOO, have the PS2 read the "progressive" flag and output complete frames is far better.

Though, it seemed horizontally slightly "softer", but that could just be the cables I used.

[Joe Redifer]

There is no "progressive flag" in the context of which you speak. All DVDs can be played in either 480i or progressive. I don't recall the PS2 being able to play 480p which viewing DVDs, but maybe that was the Xbox. Anyway, deinterlacing sucks. It's best to screw with the video signal as few times as possible. If the DVD movie was authored correctly, then it is in progressive format on the disc and would have to be interlaced and then deinterlaced. Ug.

[evildragon]

There is no "progressive flag" in the context of which you speak. All DVDs can be played in either 480i or progressive. I don't recall the PS2 being able to play 480p which viewing DVDs, but maybe that was the Xbox. Anyway, deinterlacing sucks. It's best to screw with the video signal as few times as possible. If the DVD movie was authored correctly, then it is in progressive format on the disc and would have to be interlaced and then deinterlaced. Ug.

Slimline PS2s can play DVDs in 480p.

Btw, your wrong.

DVDs have a "progressive_scan" flag.

MPEG-2 also has a flag to indicate when a frame is progressive (that the two fields come from the same instant in time). For film content, the progressive_frame flag should be true for every frame. See 3.4 for more MPEG-2 details.

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/officialfaq.html

[kylera]

In the case of the PS2, as someone mentioned, in order to use progressive, would component cables be required? Sorry if this sounds so "duh".

[evildragon]

In the case of the PS2, as someone mentioned, in order to use progressive, would component cables be required? Sorry if this sounds so "duh".

Yes, Component video is the only way you can do that.

Matter of fact, if you use RGB SCART, it won't work, the PS2 only outputs a DVD via Component, not RGB (since the PS2s RGB pins also dub as Y Cr Cb..)

[Elusive]

Oh yes.

Interlaced: Flickers
Progressive Scan: Doesn't

Interlaced images give a much smoother moving image though