Choose the right gear for high definition
Submitted by: Ian Morris
Tip 3: Decode the lingo
The alphanumeric soup of different high-definition standards can be hard to understand, so here's a brief outline of what all these numbers mean in real-world terms:
720p 1,280x720-pixel resolution. High-definition picture that is displayed progressively. Each line is displayed on the screen simultaneously, so therefore it is smoother than an interlaced picture.
1080i 1,920x1,080-pixel resolution. High-definition picture that is displayed interlaced. Each odd line of the picture is displayed, followed by each even line, and the resulting image is not as smooth as a progressive feed. 1080i is therefore a more detailed picture suited to documentaries and wildlife footage, but less suitable for action-oriented material such as sports and movies.
1080p 1,920x1,080-pixel resolution. High-definition picture that is displayed progressively. Each line is displayed on the screen simultaneously, so it's smoother than an interlaced picture. This is the ultimate high-definition standard -- the most detailed picture, displayed progressively.
The 1080p standard is supported by Blu-ray and HD DVD players as well as the PlayStation 3 and by some Xbox 360 games. If you must have the latest high-definition technology though, it's going to cost you, as 1080p requires the most expensive TVs.
Make sure you keep an eye on Crave and our Televisions channel for news and reviews.
Submitted by: Ian Morris
Ian Morris is CNET.co.uk's resident expert on all matters relating to televisions, DVD players and PVRs. He loves high definition because, he says, "It's the future of television, offering the sharpest and smoothest picture for the ultimate home-cinema experience."
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