Video Displays: Myth versus Reality

Myth: By specifying an HDTV-compatible display, vertical resolution equal to or greater than 1080 is assured.

Reality: Some so-called HDTV-compatible displays have only 768 vertical pixels (even though they may be referred to as 1080i). This allows near-full-screen display of video images with their original resolution for only one HDTV broadcast standard (720p). Only HDTV displays specified as 1080p have 1,080 vertical pixels. All displays specified as HDTV-compatible are capable of receiving HDTV television broadcasts. However, unless the display is specified as 1080p (or "full HD"), any incoming signal with...