http://hd.engadget.com/2006/03/06/definition-of-hdtv-here-we-go-again/ Engadget HD Comments for Definition of HDTV: here we go again http://hd.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://hd.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://hd.engadget.com/2006/03/06/definition-of-hdtv-here-we-go-again/http://hd.engadget.com/2006/03/06/definition-of-hdtv-here-we-go-again/
Practically, it probably has to be 720p or 1080i/p. What resolutions is the content being brought to you in? As far I'm concerned, that is the only thing that matters, and probably is the ultimate practical indication of what is HD. ]]>Mar 6th 2006 11:44AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2006/03/06/definition-of-hdtv-here-we-go-again/http://hd.engadget.com/2006/03/06/definition-of-hdtv-here-we-go-again/Mar 6th 2006 12:40PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2006/03/06/definition-of-hdtv-here-we-go-again/http://hd.engadget.com/2006/03/06/definition-of-hdtv-here-we-go-again/Mar 6th 2006 3:11PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2006/03/06/definition-of-hdtv-here-we-go-again/http://hd.engadget.com/2006/03/06/definition-of-hdtv-here-we-go-again/Mar 6th 2006 4:39PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2006/03/06/definition-of-hdtv-here-we-go-again/http://hd.engadget.com/2006/03/06/definition-of-hdtv-here-we-go-again/Mar 7th 2006 7:39AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2006/03/06/definition-of-hdtv-here-we-go-again/http://hd.engadget.com/2006/03/06/definition-of-hdtv-here-we-go-again/
In the referenced blog, Mr. Henning says, "So let’s just call it as it is and say that an HDTV has to have a resolution of at least 1280 x 720, in both dimensions." He can say this, but he's wrong.

The document describing the ATSC standards regarding HDTV, and DTV in general can be found at http://www.atsc.org/standards/A53D.pdf

The 1920x1080 and 1280x720 standards for HDTV are set by SMPTE, which is a TRADE organization. Being a trade organization, they ultimately have NO regulatory power. The ATSC has regulatory authority, being part of the federal government.

Now, in Section 9 of the ATSC standards, it says:

"9. POSSIBLE VIDEO INPUTS
While not required by this standard, there are certain television production standards, shown in Table A1, that define video formats that relate to compression formats specified by this standard.

The compression formats may be derived from one or more appropriate video input formats. It may be anticipated that additional video production standards will be developed in the future that extend the number of possible input formats."

Table 1 shows three standards. Two are from SMPTE -- the aforementioned 1920x1080 and 1280x720 standards. The third is ITU-R BT.601-4, which is a 720x483 DTV format.

Notice that this section specifically says "not required by this standard". By this, the ATSC is saying that the ONLY requirement for HDTV is that the display meets the vertical resolution requirements for 720p or 1080i. A 1024x768 display meets this criteria.

Now, one can argue as to whether the video quality is worse on a 1024x768 display compared to a 1280x720 display, but both are HDTVs regardless.

Personally, I'm waiting for the 37-40" 1920x1080 LCDs to come to market, but I will acknowledge that a 1024x768 42" plasma is an HDTV.

]]>Mar 7th 2006 11:48AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2006/03/06/definition-of-hdtv-here-we-go-again/http://hd.engadget.com/2006/03/06/definition-of-hdtv-here-we-go-again/Mar 13th 2006 6:23AM