So you've decided to take the plunge and purchase a flat screen television. Taking a costly step into the world of modern technology can be a rewarding experience if you know what you are doing. Most people that are going to purchase a flat screen television simply wander into a well-known big box electronics department store and choose a television from the shelf based on clarity, color and cost—but that is not always the best method. Some stores do not properly set up their display televisions, making the clarity and color often different in store than it will be inside your home. Knowing the basics about high-definition flat screen television resolutions is the first step to choosing the best television and getting the biggest bang for your buck.
Flat screen television resolutions vary greatly; the main types of televisions are standard-definition, enhanced-definition and high-definition televisions. The varying television definitions have come into circulation as technology has advanced and progressed through the years. The most commonly known television resolution today is HDTV, while the most common television resolution of the past in SDTV and EDTV. Here is a breakdown of what that means for SDTV, EDTV, HDTV and how to understand the difference between the little "p" and "I"
Standard-Definition Television (SDTV)
Standard-definition televisions come in 480i and 576i resolutions. The 480i resolution is the NTSC standard, or the American standard, which has an analog system of 486i split into two interlaced fields of 243 lines each. The 576i resolution is the PAL standard, or the Asian and Western European standard, that has a resolution of 720x576 split into two interlaced fields of 288 lines each.
Enhanced-Definition Television (EDTV)
Enhanced-definition televisions come in 480p and 576p, which are both progressive scans with resolutions of 720x480 and 720x576, respectively. The difference between SDTV and EDTV when it comes to logistics is the way that the television scans the image that is being transmitted for display.
High-Definition Television (HDTV)
High-definition flat screen televisions are available in three kinds of display resolutions, 720p, 1080i and 1080p. To understand high-definition television resolutions, it is important to understand what the little "p" and "i" when it comes to screen resolution. While previous versions have those suffixes attached, they are extremely important for high-definition television.
Screen Resolution "i" and "p"
It is important to realise the differences between the little "i" and "p" when it comes to flat screen television resolution. The "i" stands for interlaced scan. An interlaced scan scans every other line every 30th of a second to produce a picture. Interlacing divides the 576 lines of pixels on a screen into even and odd numbered lines. These lines are then refreshed alternatively, with evens at one 30th of a second and odds at the next 30th of a second. The slight delay between the refreshing of even and off lines is what creates the distortion or jagged appearance of the image on the screen, because only ½ of the lines are a moving part of the image, while the other ½ are waiting their turn.
The "p" stands for a progressive scan. A progressive scan is when the scan is completed in order starting with line 1 and going to line 2 and so on. A progressive scan is completed every 60th of a second. The quick completion time, and the fact that every line is utilised for the image, translates to a crisper, cleaner image. This smoother image is more detailed because it is less susceptible to interlace flicker, the slight flicker that older televisions produce while you are watching a programme. The main reason a progressive scans is smoother and clear is that they are refreshed more often.
Now that you understand the "i" and "p" of flat screen television resolution, you can understand the difference between 720p, 1080i and 1080p. In addition, you can understand the previously mentioned resolutions for SDTV and EDTV. By understanding the basic differences between the various flat screen television resolutions, you can be better prepared to purchase your own television based on facts and not based on looks.
About the Author
Lindsay Powell is a young professional improving her writing skills and finding inspiration around her.
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