REQ: HDBits or another HD Tracker

[lubu]

I am very confused. I was planning to get one but I guess I need to study the technology before shelling out the money

[users]

says right on the page its 720p resolution, I assume thats 1280x1024...pal dvd isn't much lower at 1024x576...but yes, its technically hd...

Just to clear the air, 720p resolution is: 1280x720 pixels

"Full" HD sets are 1920x1080 (and you will only ever hear these described as 1080p sets, though they support all of the other smaller formats and "upconvert" them to fit their full resolution). Broadcast standards are currently set at 1080i/720p. This is due to bandwidth/hardware restrictions and current capabilities of cable and satellite providers.

Currently, the only consumer product(s) that output "full" HD resolution are BluRay disc players (including some gaming consoles).

It's feasible to send a 1080p signal from other hardware (prosumer HD cameras, faster computers, etc.) but that's about it.

Kind of got off on a tangent there, but thought I would chime in on the discussion...

actually, not true at alll...

1080i broadcasts actually give full 1920x1080 when decoded properly, so bluray is not the only source...

on hdbits there are plenty of tv caps at 1920x1080....what you say is a myth..

[hotshot6473]

Yes they give you that resolution but they are not full HD. 1080p resolution is the max available at this point, anything lower is simply not as high quality HD.

[users]

Yes they give you that resolution but they are not full HD. 1080p resolution is the max available at this point, anything lower is simply not as high quality HD.

how is 1920x1080 not "full hd", its exactly the same as bluray...

[EyeCandy]

You were right about this, users... And probably all the other 1080i "compatible" have the same resolution 1366x768.

Look what I've found here:

http://www.streetprices.com/TVs/LCD/...P23625791.html

"This flatscreen LCD high-definition television, the 26" Sony KDL26M4000, has a 1080i display (1366x768 resolution)."

Well, it's HD, it's better than 720p but it's not full HD, you don't get the 1920x1080 resolution...

Why would two different sites, give it different resolutions, capabilities?

[hotshot6473]

users go read about the difference between interlaced and progressive video. That should clear it up for you

[users]

users go read about the difference between interlaced and progressive video. That should clear it up for you

http://blog.hometheatermag.com/geoff...061080iv1080p/

"When it comes to movies (as in HD DVD and Blu-ray) there will be no visible difference between the 1080i signal and the 1080p signal, as long as your TV correctly de-interlaces 1080i. So even if you could input 1080p, you wouldn't see a difference (because there is none)."

[EyeCandy]

So, the consensus is, 1080i is high definition

[hotshot6473]

yes it is but it is not TrueHD. In other words anything under 1080p is HD but is not TrueHD

[alucarddl]

yes it is but it is not TrueHD. In other words anything under 1080p is HD but is not TrueHD

It's all HD. What we are talking about are four formats:

-Progressive vs. Interlaced
-720 vs. 1080

Here's how that breaks down:

"Progressive" is a full frame. Think of it like a motion picture camera where one complete image is captured 24 times a second (24p, 24fps, however you want to say it). This is what the "p" stands for in 1080p and 720p.

"Interlaced" are two fields that are scanned and then combined to make a full frame, hence interlace (need a visual? Interlock your fingers on each hand so that the tips are touching the webbing on the opposite). This means that if you are watching a broadcast at 30fps (broadcast standard) that 60 "scans" are done in one second.

Now, sports are always broadcast in "Interlaced". This is due to the fact that there is less "artifacting" in interlaced shooting and interlaced shooting is more responsive to fast motion. You'll often hear about something called "motion trails" in advertisements for HDTVs. This has nothing to do with interlaced/progressive and has everything to do with the kind of TV you buy (DLP = fastest motion detection, Plasma = slowest, but the technology has progressed to a level that this motion issue is pretty moot).

Movies are almost always progressive. This is to achieve the "filmy" look.

So back to the HD discussion:

720i/p and 1080i/p are all considered HD formats. What you have to understand is that "HD" is really just an arbitrary term defining new technology. What we are really talking about is frame size. Standard definition formats are 720 x 480 or 640 x 480 or 720 x 534, etc.

High-def formats (for the purposes of this discussion, not relating to 2k and 4k scan technology or "Ultra-High def") are 1280 pixels x 720 pixels, or 1920 pixels x 1080 pixels. To put it in laymans terms, anything that has a vertical resolution greater than 720 pixels is generally deemed High-Def. You might have some derivations in there and might not see these numbers exactly on TVs, but these are the standards.

To my original point:

Broadcast standards (both satellite and cable) are 1080i and 720p. This is due to bandwidth restrictions and hardware capabilites on the PROVIDER's end. They simply do not have a cost-effective way to broadcast "Full Progressive" High-Def signals at 1920 x 1080. BUT they can broadcast at 1920 x 1080 if the signal is INTERLACED. So, while sports might come in at 1920 x 1080 INTERLACED, movies and some TV shows will most likely be at 720p.

So what does that mean to a consumer? Well, if you're buying an HDTV and you want to experience the "Full" High-Definition setup, you have to buy a TV who's "native resolution" is 1920 x 1080. This resolution currently runs the gamut of all formats currently available at the consumer level; if you have DirecTV you will be enjoying football at 1920 x 1080 INTERLACED, and if you have a BluRay player you will be enjoying your favorite flick at 1920 x 1080 PROGRESSIVE aka FULL FRAME.

Last thing: some people claim that you can't see a difference between a lot of 720p and 1080p signals/broadcasts. This is true for some, not the case for others. As with anything, it is purely a matter of taste and general perception. Most folks who have 1080p (1920 x 1080) sets are either purists or folks who had a lot of money to blow and got sold one by a home-theater consultant, because generally, the 1920 x 1080 native sets are more expensive. Also, don't confuse yourselves (in this case, it sounds hard, I know)...if you see a TV that says it is something like 720p/1080i and NOT 1080p, all that means is that it can display a 1080i signal (downsized for your pixel resolution). This DOES NOT MEAN you are watching the signal at it's full resolution of 1920 x 1080. It means you are watching the signal at your TV's full resolution, whatever that may be.

Whew! Hope that clears some things up.

"When it comes to movies (as in HD DVD and Blu-ray) there will be no visible difference between the 1080i signal and the 1080p signal, as long as your TV correctly de-interlaces 1080i. So even if you could input 1080p, you wouldn't see a difference (because there is none)."

Just a side note, this is absolutely untrue. I don't know what the guy in this article was trying to say, but there is DEFINITELY a difference between 1080p and 1080i, both from a look and feel standpoint and a bandwidth standpoint.