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High Definition Video
Standard definition (SD) is a resolution of 576 x 480. This refers to the number
of pixels – or dots of colour – on the screen (576 columns x 480 rows).
High definition is a resolution of 1920 x 1080 (1920 columns x 1080 rows).
The higher the resolution means that the picture contains more detail and is
therefore clearer than the same image in standard definition.
The higher the resolution of an image, the more storage space that image needs
on a disc. This is why Blu-ray is ideal for high definition (see below).
Fewer pixels
Less definition
Jagged edges
More pixels
More definition
Smoother edges
Clearer Picture
Do I need a full-HD television to view high definition?
To get the full benefit of high definition, a full-HD television is needed.
If you have an HD-ready television, even though you won’t see full high definition
images, you will still benefit from high definition. The original image is of high
definition resolution so the television must downscale the picture to fit the
screen. But because the image is HD quality, the picture that you see from Blu-
ray will be clearer and sharper than a picture from DVD.
Why Blu-ray?