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HDTV and SDTV Differences
What Are the
Differences
Between
Widescreen HDTVs
and Standard TVs?
The widescreen HDTV is 1/3 wider than a standard TV. The widescreen
HDTV aspect ratio is 16:9 (compared to 4:3 for SDTV).
An HDTV uses a much finer screen resolution to create the TV picture—
1125 lines for HDTV as compared to 525 lines used in SDTV. This means
that the screen resolution for HDTV can be up to 1920x1080 pixels,
as compared to 720x480 pixels for SDTV.
In the United States, HDTV is always broadcast with digital signals. SDTV
is currently broadcast in both digital and analog. However, HDTV and digital
SDTV do not use the same digital signal.
Generally, all HDTV-ready monitors or integrated HDTV sets are capable of
supporting an SDTV 480i or 480p signal. Not all HDTV monitors support
both 720p and 1080i HDTV signals. For instance, some plasma screens
only support 720p.
What Are Screen
Resolutions?
For this reason, the 3250HD needs to know the screen resolution that is
best for your TV. If the 3250HD is not set up to provide video in the proper
screen resolution, you will see a black screen or a distorted picture when
you turn on your TV.
The 3250HD provides video in the following screen resolutions.
You want to set up the 3250HD to provide your TV with the best picture size
and format that your TV supports.
Your cable service provider broadcasts programming in SDTV or HDTV
format. The screen resolution that your TV supports determines how the
program will look on your TV screen.
SDTV Screen
Resolutions
HDTV Screen
Resolutions
• 480 lines, interlaced (480i)
• 480 lines, progressive (480p)
• 1080 lines, interlaced (1080i)
(This is the default setting for the 3250HD.)
• 720 lines, progressive (720p)