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HDTV, Blu-ray, FULL HD and 1080p Explained: 
Quick Links: | HD Resolutions 576P~1080P | HDTV & BD Blu-ray | HD 720p/1080p Hype? | LCD v PLASMA | LCD and Plasma Life Span? | Is it 720p or 1080P - Native Resolution? | LEGEND OF HD/DTB Icons | Foxtel HD+ & Media Centre PC Info | What to look for in a MCE (Media Centre PC) | What Brant of LCD/Plasma is best? | BD4U Digital Conectivity Packs | AV Power Protection Devices |
This page was written to help educate the reader on all the available AV technology standards available in Australia and the Australian TV broadcast standards, as such some information listed below may not apply to AV equipment and TV broadcast systems in other counties. (HD = High Definition, SD = Standard Definition)
HD Resolutions and standards:
*FLV(Youtube standard resolution) = 320 x 240 pixels
*AVI Low-res = 352 x 288 pixels
*AVI Hi-res = 512 x 384 pixels
*480p Analogue TV & VHS = 640 x 480
pixels
*576p SD Digital TV =
768 x 576 pixels (Standard DVD-Movie is: 720 x 576)
720p HD Digital TV =
1280 x 720 pixels
1080p FULL HD (Blu-ray) = 1920 x 1080 pixels
2160p Quad-1080p = 3840 x 2160 pixels (Not due for release to the retail market until 2015)
(*Resolutions are variable from file to file and 4:3 and 16:9 aspect rations, approximate and/or average only are listed above)
Note: The "p" as mentioned in above standards stands for progressive scan, or true resolutions. The other letter used in HD standards is "i" as in 1080i, the "i" means
Interlaced, this simply put is a lower resolution overlyed on it's self (the result may look slightly better than the original lower resolution, however is not a higher resolution in it's native state - Interlaced can also be called Up-Scaling)
HD TV 720p &/OR Blu-ray 1080p:
Channels: 7, 9 and 10 all have a HD broadcast now in operation, however it is only in 720p/1080i.
As of January 2008 the Blu-ray standard won the "format war" over the competing HD-DVD, now Blu-ray is the
ONLY WAY you can get a 1080p resolution image to your TV/Monitor (excluding Games from PCs or Consoles such as Xbox-360 or Playstation-3)
Note: In some cases you can download 1080p video from the internet, however with a 2-Hour movie running over 35GB there are no legal providers operating, and even if you can find a way to download a file, 35GB download will typically take over a week even at max speed of 70~100KB/s(175HRs/7.3Days) and use more that a full month's data limit on a typical ADSL2+ or Cable Plan.
What is all the hype about? Do I really need to invest in 720p or 1080p Technology?:
If all you watch is Youtube, VHS and analogue TV then the truth is you have no use for a high resolution TV.
However if you prefer the sharper quality of DVD and Digital TV then you should invest in no less than a 720p native resolution screen and if you intend to use the screen with a PC or laptop and/or a Blu-ray player
or new game consol then 1080p is the best solutions for you.
NOTE: If you see twice the image quality between VHS and DVD then you should notice 720p HD TV to be twice the quality of DVD and a 1080p video to be four times or more the quality of
DVD, as 1080p is the resolution of the Cinema!!!
What do I look for on a new flat screen?:
#1. Firstly the choice between LCD & Plasma?
If you are chasing a big screen at a low price then Plasma is probably best for you.
If you want the sharpest resolution for 1080p and/or if you will be connecting a PC/NEW-Game Consol then LCD is the clear winner, LCD offers ultra sharp pixel definition that far surpasses that of even the deluxe 1080p Plasma's can not match.
#2. Secondly the resolution?
As mentioned above for HD Digital TV
you only require a 720p Screen, however it is often only 20-30% more for a 1080p model in the same brand and class of product and considering the fact you may want to keep the new screen in use for 3-7year+ an extra 30% now may carry more value for the long run.
#3. What size is best for my room?
In most cases the bigger the better, if you are sitting more than 4-Meters from the screen then you will need over 42" to notice a significant difference from 720p to 1080p and only 32" to notice the difference between 576p and 720p at 3-Meters.
Is there a
difference
between LCD and Plasma TV's Life Span?:
YES: Plasma screens have a MAXIMUM PANEL HOUR LIFE, typically this is 50,000-HRs or 100,000-HRs (meaning over 27-years at 5HRs per day on 50k-HRs) however there is no guarantees that the TV will last any longer than it’s warranty period (as any component may fail at any time).
M
ore concern to some customers is that a plasma screen gradually looses brightness over there life, so after 10,000-HRs of a 50k-HR panel, it will have lost 20% of it's brightness, it will continue to loose brightness and quality until it’s end.
--- The benefit of LCD is that in theory: an LCD Will Look as Good the day before the end, as it did the day you bought it.
Is there a higher failure rate with either technology?:
A: The truth is that; Of the top brands of LCD & Plasma - the failure rate is low!, however the LCDs screens generally have a longer warranty and therefore probably are less prone to failure in the first 5-years.
If you are chasing a big screen at a low price then Plasma is probably best for you.
If you want the sharpest resolution for 1080p and/or if you will be connecting a PC/NEW-Game Consol then LCD is the clear winner, LCD offers ultra sharp pixel definition that far surpasses that of even the deluxe 1080p Plasma's can not match.
How do I know what Screen is 720p and what is 1080p?:
#All you need to do is look at the NATIVE RESOLUTION!
720p = 1024x768, 1280x768 or 1366x768.
1080p = 1920x1080 and 1920x1200 only.
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LEGEND of icons used by BD4U in home
entertainment
products?:
Digital TV Tuners:
 |
 |
| SD (Standard Definition Tuner) - SD Digital Tuner. |
HDTV (High Definition Tuner) - HD Digital Tuner. |
Panel/Projector Resolutions:
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| HD (720p High Definition Image) - HD Panel or projector, Over 1280x720 - but under 1920x1080) |
FULL HD (1080p High Definition Image) - FULL HD Panel or Projector, Native: 1920x1080 with progressive scan. |
Business 4:3 Projector Resolutions:
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| SVGA = Low Resolution 4:3 - Entre Level 800x600 |
XGA = High Resolution 4:3 Busines Presentation Standard - FULL RESOLUTION 1024x768 |
FOXTEL-HD+, HD STB(Set-Top-Box) & Media Centre PC - Which do I need?:
Firstly you need to decide if you want to use Free-to-Air SD & HD Services or if you want to pay $60~$130 per month for a HD Cable IQ2 Service, If you answer:
A:
"I only need the Free to air
channels
and the Internet"
---
Then you should look at a Media centre PC (Or STB)
B: "I pay $40 per month for Foxtel now, so the extra cost for Foxtel HD+ seems reasonable to me"
--- Then you may not need any extra equipment as the Foxtel HD+ iQ2 System has 320GB-HDD storage capacity and many advanced features - Click-Here for PDF on the Foxtel iQ2 System.
NOTE: There are several
features
that iQ2 has not yet activated;
1: The networking support is not yet active.
2: The eSATA port is not yet active.
3: The third tuner is not yet active & the "On-Demand" Tuner time shifts only & dose not record to the HDD therefore can not
be copied to other media (sent to a PC or Burnt to a DVD)
C: "I want all the
capabilities
of the free to air and Foxtel TV and DVD-Playing/Burning & Blu-ray with a single remote to
accesses
all my: Video, Music(MP3 & CD), Photos and centralise all the functionality of a media centre & computer to use the internet, Email, Chat/youtube/facebook/etc."
---
Then you are the kind of person that media PCs are designed for!!!
NOTE: To
achieve the above you will require an advanced media computer system including TV Tuner with analogue pass-through
for Foxtel, for an advanced solution see: BD4U Media-PC.
MORE On HD STB & Blu-Ray Players:
STB: Most new LCD & Plasma TVs have a HD Tuner built in, so the need for SD & HD Set-Top-Boxes is already almost at an end.
Blu-ray Players: Sony Playstation 3 has Blu-ray playback as a standard feature and at just over $600 it is the most
popular
option for Blu-ray playback in the home, the other
popular
option is the Media Centre PC, as a Blu-ray player in a PC is only about +$150 from the standard DVD Drive. (there are new cheaper Blu-ray
players entering
the market in time for Christmas 2008 starting from under $300 if you need a cheap option, however be
aware
that the cheaper players may have a shorter life span.)
What to I need to look for in a media PC?
You should chose a fast system with large HDD & Blu-ray plus HDMI if you want your new entertainment system to satisfy your media centre requirements for more than 12-months, if you invest in a Deluxe Media PC in a HTC(Home Theater Case) for around $1,800-$2,200 then you will have a system that will not require upgrading for several years, the system will complete your digital life and it’s features will be the envy of your friends.
What do I Buy?: - an option is the BD4U "Best Media Centre PC" which boasts a massive 1.5TB(1,500GB) storage capacity, Maximum RAM, DUAL Digital TV-Tuner, HDMI Out, RF Keyboard and Remote with over 10M Range and a 6-Year System and support warranty package --- all this for under $2,200 makes this system an unrivaled Deal in the Australian market - Click-Hear to see this week's Sale Pricing and configuration with a detailed specification...
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What Brand or Manufacturer Is Best?:
The truth is there is only a few Plasma and LCD manufactures in the world, and the quality is similar in most major brands, however the warranty and conditions of service can very greatly:
Samsung give a standard 3-year warranty on all their LCD screens and 2-years on their Plasma screens. Also Samsung service turnaround time and on-site service is well respected in the market.
Sony and Panasonic only offer a 1-year standard warranty on LCD & Plasma. Both of these brands are also well regarded in terms of service.
LG, Pioneer, Fujitsu, Hitachi and others in our experience rarely offer better value and in the case of Hitachi have pulled out of the retail screen market, our advice based on market trends in our store would be to go for a Samsung, Sony or Panasonic before going to:
LG, Pioneer, Fujitsu or Hitachi.
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Please note: this page is written based on BD4U's Research, Knowledge and Experience in the IT & AV Sales market - as such errors and omissions in the above information are possible and we welcome any feedback to improve the information listed, if you see misleading or incorrect information on this page then please: Email Us and we will endeavor to improve and/or correct it as quickly as possible.
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BD4U HD Digital Conectivity Packs:
Standard BD4U HD Digital Connectivity Pack#26:
Includes;
1x
2M Gold Tipped HDMI Lead (RRP: $59.95)
1x 5M Gold Tipped HDMI Lead (RRP:
$89.95)
1x 10M RF (Antenna) Lead
(RRP: $29.95)
And $100 OFF any AV Power Protection Device (Surge Protector) listed below!!! OR $50 Gift Voucher to be used by you or given to a friend - Valid for 12Months, for use with any HiFi, Projector or LCD/Plasma Screen purchase Over $1500.
TOTAL VALUE: $229.85 - FREE With Selected Screens and Projectors!!!
NOTE: If above pack purchased with a Projector, you have the option to swap the 2M & 5M HDMI Leads for a single: 10M Gold Tipped HDMI
(RRP: $149.95)
DELUXE BD4U HD Digital Connectivity Pack#12:
Includes;
2x 2M Gold Tipped HDMI Lead (RRP: $59.95)
2x 5M Gold Tipped HDMI Lead (RRP: $89.95)
1x 10M RF (Antenna) Lead (RRP: $29.95)
1x 5110 Pro UPS & Surge Protector with Battery Back-up 500va (RRP: $239.95)
And a $150 Gift Voucher to be used by you or given to a friend - Valid for 12Months, for use with any HiFi, Projector or LCD/Plasma Screen purchase Over $1500.
TOTAL VALUE: $769.70 - ONLY $550 with any AV Purchace over $1500 - OR +$285 as an up-grade from above BD4U HD Digital Connectivity Pack#26!!!
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AV Power Protection Devices :
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Powersmart BD4U Special: $149
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Powerware BD4U Special: $229
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Powerware 5110 700VA BD4U Special : $369
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