HD - High Definition

Just what is HDTV and what does it mean to us? This article will hopefully answer the question and help you through the maze of terminology that surrounds HDTV

What is HDTV?

The Analogue transmission standard has served us well since the early days of BBC colour transmissions but the current 540 line system is hardly high resolution. We are now all used to much greater levels of detail in screen images. HDTV brings enhanced resolutions to the domestic TV set in two standards a vertical resolution of 720p and 1080p.

What can be confusing is that HDTV is used to refer to several things: a type of display device, a digital broadcast method, and a special way to produce TV shows and films. Viewing nirvana is achieved when all three parts of HDTV converge; a program of film, that is produced using High Definition technology, is transmitted via a HDTV television signal (from a HDTV channel), and enjoyed on a HDTV display (preferably a projector) with a surround sound home theatre audio set up. Watching regular TV or a DVD on a HDTV is visually stunning. And that is why more and more people are getting on the HD bandwagon.

What is the benefit to me?

       HD has 2.1 million or more pixels. That is a lot more picture information and that is what makes HDTV so crisp and detailed.

       HD has an aspect ratio of 16:9 versus the 4:3 aspect ratio of analogue. You get one-third more image area and it's that much easier to watch movies in their original format. The 16:9 aspect ratio actually more closely matches the viewing angle of the human eye, making for a more immersive entertainment experience.

       HD images are made up of from 720 to 1080 horizontal scan lines. Again, a lot more detail is possible with that much more visual information on the screen.

       HDTV can provide 7.1 channel Dolby Digital sound, equal to what you hear in a cinema. Plug in a home theatre audio system and you can hear the distinctions between sound effects, dialogue and music. Analogue can't offer anything close to that!

So is High Definition or 720p / 1080p resolution really that much better than my current standard resolution?

The simple answer...Yes! Below is a table showing common resolutions, remember the higher the toal amount of pixels displayed the sharper and crisper the displayed image will be...