Difference between FULL HD and HD?

to_do_list · Apr 11, 2008 10:40 am

I'm confused...I'm looking at perhaps a VIERA TH-42PX70A 42" (106cm) - http://panasonic.com.au/products/detail ... ectID=3834 - or maybe it's bigger brother. My brother received this unit as part of his home purchase and it to my eyes looks like a really good picture.

But in looking at HDTV's I noticed that some are "HD" and some are "Full HD", in laymans terms can somebody explain the fundamental difference between the two....or is it just a marketing tool. The sales drones at Hardly Normal and the like are not particularly useful.

I'm also looking at pairing it with a Topfield 7000PVRt, I've got an existing Topfield 5000PVRt which I bought when they first came out and I've been very happy with it.

vanderlay · Apr 11, 2008 11:03 am

The terms basically indicate the number of pixels, resolution a TV can display. A full HD or True HD TV displays 1,920 by 1,080 pixels. HD basically refers to aynthing else above standard defination but below full HD. Most commonly these days it will refer to a "720p" unit (1280x720 pixels)

So, the more pixels, the higher resolution, the clearer and shaper the picture the unit can produce - however, this does not necessarily make a better TV - there are other specs that come into it too. Also the smaller the screen, the harder it would be to tell the difference!

Another thing to note - no TV program in australia is broadcast in true HD at the moment!!

Matt and Rod will come along and explain this better shortly!! :lol:

Rodda · Apr 11, 2008 11:41 am

Vanderlay pretty much nailed it on the head there. Certaily regarding TrueHD (or Full HD or whatever, they really are just buzz words). What's more of the specific term you look for is if the display (Plasma/LCD/Projector) is a 1080P display. In other words does it have a native resolution (or physical panel) of 1920 x 1080 pixels. This is the correct resolution for 1080P (the P is for Progressive Scan, which is better than i or Interlaced. The P in the 1080P is also mandatory to be able to say that the device is TrueHD). If you want a true HD display the ensure it's a 1080P device.

There are many display devices out now that are true 1080P, and there are many that are not that still say they are HD in some way.

Standard Definition or SD widescreen panels have (had) a native resolution of 853 x 480 (in keeping with an NTSC resolution - yuk!), so once manufacturers started making panels that had more pixels than that they started *** and referring to them as HD panels (the lowest model Samsung now has a native res of 1024 x 768). Throw in a HD digital tuner and they feel quite comfortable calling their device a HD panel.

Devices with lower native resolutions can still display HD images - they simply down-convert the number of pixels in the image to match their own native resolutions (this has been happening since HD set-top-boxes first started appearing). Thus, years ago they were able to say they were 'HD Ready'.

720P is the only standardised 'higher' definition resolution/format between SD and TrueHD. Quite a few HD-DVD/Blu-Ray movies are released in 720P instead of the full 1080P (***). At least it matches the previous generation of Home Theatre projectors... There are, however, a few different resolutions used by different manufacturers in this intermediary category (some make 1024 x 576 panels, some 1024 x 768, some 1024 x 1024....).

At the moment, HD TV broadcasts are actually mostly in 1080i (so we are getting a full 1920 x 1080 image, just that it's Interlaced so we only get it half a frame at a time).

to_do_list · Apr 11, 2008 12:04 pm

So if I read the Panasonic manual correctly the VIERA TH-42PX70A 42" has a "native"resolution of 1024 x 768 and therefore is not Full (or other marketing term) HD?

Any comment on the new Toppy is it is a reliable as the old?

I recently purchased an established home and want to mount the TV above the fireplace where the current owners have mounted it (see below) which is on the hearth. From what I have read on the www there are some things I need to consider:

- a suitable purpose built rack particularly one that provides vertical angle adjustability
- use mechanical anchors not plastic as the plastic can release with heat
- make sure the ambient temperature around the TV when the fire is on is less than 40 degrees C which you measure by taping a thermometer to the hearth and stokin' the fire

Are there any other considerations....or does that cover it.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff2/mikeb1968/Image3.jpg

vanderlay · Apr 11, 2008 12:09 pm

to_do_list

So if I read the Panasonic manual correctly the VIERA TH-42PX70A 42" has a "native"resolution of 1024 x 768 and therefore is not Full (or other marketing term) HD?

Are there any other considerations....or does that cover it.

correct!

not sure about mounting your TV, but you may be looking at a sore neck with it up at that height!! the photo might be a little misleading, but it looks pretty high up on the wall!

to_do_list · Apr 11, 2008 12:12 pm

Thanks guys....

Yeah I'll have to assess the position when we settle....it's a real estate photo so it's got a wacky lens on it which kind off make thing look like the start of a 1960's spaghetti western - tall and skinny.

stonecutter1309 · Apr 11, 2008 12:16 pm

I'm not sure what's going on with the HD toppy atm - it was listed for sale in Feb 07 - but now isn't available any more - don't know why.

Love our SD Toppy and was thinking of upgrading so I'm looking forward to reading some more responses!

to_do_list · Apr 11, 2008 12:21 pm

stonecutter1309

I'm not sure what's going on with the HD toppy atm - it was listed for sale in Feb 07 - but now isn't available any more - don't know why.

Love our SD Toppy and was thinking of upgrading so I'm looking forward to reading some more responses!

The local Good Guys (Melb) has the 7000PVRt for $749, twin HD tuner 250 GB drive, yadda, yadda, and about 20 in stock. Price was sticker price so pre-haggle. I'd by one now prior to getting the HDTV because they are available I'm just not sure whether it will down scale HDTV to SDTV on playback....I think it does so long as you use S-video or composite and not HDMI?

Paula · Apr 11, 2008 11:44 pm

Quote:

- a suitable purpose built rack particularly one that provides vertical angle adjustability

Will the current owners leave the one thats up there?

If not check this out, also look at their other products.

We have a swivel bracket from them mounted above the brick fireplace. We have been to scared to light the fire since it went up :wink:

http://www.ultraliftaustralia.com.au/ultralift_products_freedom-mini.htm

Michelle · Apr 11, 2008 11:48 pm

to_do_list

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff2/mikeb1968/Image3.jpg

Looking at this photo…..this is a woman who LOVES her family snaps on her walls!

Get yourself a tub of filler, your going to need it! :lol:

to_do_list · Apr 11, 2008 11:50 pm

Paula

Will the current owners leave the one thats up there?

Dunno

...but the TV we are looking at is bigger and therefore the existing bracket may not be big enough.....thanks for the link.

to_do_list · Apr 11, 2008 11:56 pm

Michelle

to_do_list

Looking at this photo…..this is a woman who LOVES her family snaps on her walls!

It's actually her business...she specialises in baby and kids photos, and I don't know what they are called....but those deep frames you can place keepsakes in and make diorama memory scrapbooky thingmys....yeah I know typical bloke just call be Mr Sentimental.

Oh...and I checked 3M hooks...no holes..... :z:

to_do_list · Apr 11, 2008 11:57 pm

Michelle

Get yourself a tub of filler, your going to need it! :lol:

For a while I thought we were going to start another crack thread..... :shock:

Michelle · Apr 12, 2008 12:02 am

to_do_list

Michelle

Get yourself a tub of filler, your going to need it! :lol:

For a while I thought we were going to start another crack thread..... :shock:

No….holes this time…..don’t go there! :shock:

Paula · Apr 12, 2008 12:03 am

Quote:

No….holes this time…..don’t go there!

hahahahahaha :shock:

to_do_list · Apr 12, 2008 12:07 am

Must not comment...must...not...holes...cracks..no...warning....take pills...OK I'm better....ah!

Michelle · Apr 12, 2008 12:08 am

PhoenixStar · Apr 12, 2008 12:27 am

to_do_list, i must say i love the new house!

The exposed beams and brickwork, the variation in the ceiling and the warmth of the timber. Are these the first pics you've posted?
Can you show us more in another thread perhaps?

When is settlement or have you already moved in? Sorry if you've already discussed these topics before!!!

to_do_list · Apr 12, 2008 12:40 am

**Phoenix**

to_do_list, i must say i love the new house!

The exposed beams and brickwork, the variation in the ceiling and the warmth of the timber. Are these the first pics you've posted?
Can you show us more in another thread perhaps?

When is settlement or have you already moved in? Sorry if you've already discussed these topics before!!!

Thanks....all is revealed at https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?t=6105

PhoenixStar · Apr 12, 2008 12:59 am

So sorry to_do_list, i must have totally missed that thread.... :oops:

It's a gorgeous house.....bet you can't wait to get into the garden!!!!

I won't thread hijack, but very nice!!!!!