Quote:
Originally posted by Phil P
I know that a high definition(1080i or 720p) signal is transmitted digitally with a 16:9 aspect ratio. What about SDTV(480i) and EDTV(480p)? Are they transmitted digitally with a 16:9 aspect ratio? |
480i is normally 4:3, but that doesn't mean that you don't see some 16:9, but it is not very common. 480p on the other hand, which is DVD quality can be both 4:3 or 16:9. But in broadcasting, a 480p signal is usually sent 16:9. I can't think of a single 480p that is 4:3, but I can think of quite a few 480i in 16:9.
True 480p does look better than 480i whether it is 4:3 or 16:9. It is NOT HD, but it is better than SD. And contrary to what some people believe, 480p is a viable format for certain programming. Certainly sports and movies look better in HD, but for news programming and the tabloid talk shows like Jerry Springer, 480p is very acceptably quality.
Does that mean that those programs would not benefit from HD, No, but is it really worth the extra pixels for pictures (news programming) that is shot in bad lighting and under extreme conditions? As has been pointed out here on AVSForum, when sports is being shown, if the lightning is bad, the HD looks bad and these guys have a week to get it right. In a hot war zone, for instance, you will not have good lighting (maybe none!) and the lower res 480p works just fine.
Now in my book I will take 16:9 480p over 480i 4:3 any day on any programming if HD is not available. YMMV