What does Full HD format mean?
A standard definition (SD) image has a resolution of 720×576 pixels. Full HD resolution is 1280×720 pixels, this is a high-definition image. The resolution of the new standard is almost twice that of the previous one. HD format resolution 1080 - 1920x1080 pixels. There are also several subgroups of the HD 1080 format: progressive, interlace.
The peculiarity of the progressive sub-format is that the video is output instantly, and not sequentially. Outputting content according to this principle prevents the appearance of the comb effect, and maximum image detail is maintained. Full HD is a high definition video format. The base screen resolution is 1920x1080 pixels. The aspect ratio is 16:9.
What is HD quality?
HD – format with a resolution of 1280×720 pixels. It is this quality that is used in all digital TVs. Essentially, this is any resolution higher than standard (720x576).
It is widely used in video surveillance, for home viewing, and in dachas.
Pros:
- low price;
- does not require a high speed Internet connection when watching movies online;
- the price corresponds to the quality;
- just right for gamers.
Minuses:
- on large diagonal TVs, the image quality will not be clear enough;
- the technical solution is gradually losing relevance.
What is FullHD?
Full HD (full HD) is a resolution that reproduces formats from 720x1280 to 1920x1080. The technology was developed and began to be used in 2007.
By increasing the pixel density, the detail of the picture has increased, making it possible to view even small objects in the image. And increasing the number of pixels allows you to produce a well-developed, clear picture.
Many consider Full HD to be a kind of HD upgrade, rather than a full-fledged separate format.
Pros:
- high image quality;
- brightness and color saturation;
- technical characteristics are better than in previously released devices;
- on large diagonals the quality will not be lost (as in the case of HD), but will remain at a decent level;
Minuses:
- high price;
- Requires high internet speed when viewing content online.
The range of Full HD applications is diverse: computer displays, smartphones, TVs, video surveillance, etc. The development of this format became a kind of technical revolution and quickly swept the world.
What other screen parameters should you pay attention to when choosing?
Other important selection factors:
- Update frequency.
A parameter showing how many times per second the image is updated. Standard frequency is 60 Hz. If the value is lower, it may result in blurred images. It is better to look at devices with a frequency of 120 Hz and higher. - Contrast.
A high contrast ratio brings out more shades and shadows on the screen, thereby significantly increasing detail. As can be seen from the above advantages of devices that support Full HD resolution, they have a better contrast parameter. But before making a final decision, visually test the brightness, contrast and other capabilities of a particular device. - Number of ports.
They may be needed to connect a game console or speakers. Take a close look at their number and think whether it is enough. It is better to take a TV that has at least four of them.
Comparison of HD and Full HD
Full HD can hardly be called an independent standard. This is a marketing tool that Sony used in 2007 to attract the attention of the target audience to its products. Other manufacturers supported this initiative and began to actively use the advertising tag. Therefore, when you see the HD Ready marking, it means that the screen resolution size is 1280x720 pixels, and if Full HD, then 1920x1080 pixels.
Adhering to the point of view that Full HD is not a full-fledged standard, we can call it a modification of HD, which has better picture quality. Noticeably higher pixel density. Users always focus on screen resolution: the higher it is, the higher the clarity of the image. Increasing the number of matrix pixels really allows you to broadcast the most detailed picture.
For Full HD you will have to pay more than for SD or HD. The results of the studies confirm that FHD is characterized by improved picture quality, which exceeds previous standards by approximately 4 times.
Full HD technology can also be used to play content in other resolutions. Matrices automatically try to improve low resolution to optimal performance. TVs that do not support Full HD are not able to reproduce images in high definition format.
How does Full HD differ from other standards? There are several fundamentally important points. For example, the simultaneous use of 2 types of sweep is implemented:
- Interlace: Divides the frame into 2 fields, which are made up of lines. The image is displayed on the screen in stages;
- Progressive: the frame appears immediately on the screen in its entirety. Provides excellent display of dynamic scenes, the image does not blur.
If we talk about the popularity of technology, the sales level is higher for models labeled Full HD. However, manufacturers are not abandoning HD, since such TVs are much cheaper, and there is also a demand for them. This resolution is also supported by many budget smartphones.
Most of the popular TV set-top boxes are Full HD or 4K models. This type of device can be connected to an HDTV to play content in high quality.
What do HD and Full HD formats have in common?
Full HD resolution is 1920x1080 pixels, which is the main difference from the previous standard, but there are a number of similar aspects:
- This is the same format, the only difference is that Full HD has a higher screen resolution;
- In both cases, interlaced frame scanning can be used;
- They can be used to play content with a resolution of 720x576 pixels;
- TVs labeled HD and Full HD are equipped with HDMI and DVI interfaces.
What is the fundamental difference between HD and Full HD
Main differences:
- The key difference is screen resolution, which affects the quality of the broadcast image.
- Full HD TVs mainly support progressive scanning or its combination with interlace, which allows you to maintain clarity while broadcasting dynamic scenes.
- The aspect ratio is another feature. Full HD has a 16:9 aspect ratio.
- For many consumers, the key difference between Full HD monitors and TVs is the price. The cost of this technology is much higher than HD.
By what criteria will we choose the best TV?
In order not to go into a detailed listing of possible small details and characteristics, we will focus on the fundamental ones, on which the image quality, functionality and, ultimately, the user’s comfort and the impression that the TV will make on him depend.
Screen diagonal
This one is simple. The desired option is selected based on the size of the room, the personal wishes of the consumer and, to a certain extent, the capabilities of his wallet.
Permission
- HD-Ready (720p) – the format is frankly old and suitable only for compact models up to 32 inches;
- Full HD 1080p is still the most popular and widely available standard;
- Ultra HD (2160p), also known as 4K, is the most relevant high-definition standard for modern TVs today.
- 8K (7680×4320) is a paradoxical situation: there are TVs with this resolution, but there is no video as such. Well, built-in scaling is everything for now. Over time, almost all models should be updated. Even now, for example, LG already has the coolest 8K OLED panel, but you can’t find a price tag under 2 million on sale.
HDR support
High dynamic range is the ability to bring the image on the screen as close as possible to the reality accessible to human vision. Lots of details and shades, the widest contrast levels in shadows and highlights - it’s better to see once than to try to understand in words.
Display type
LED. Some naively believe that LCD is an old type of matrix, and the modern one is LED. However, the latter option still involves the same LCD base, but with a more efficient (brighter, more economical and takes up less space) LED backlight.
QLED. A promising development from Samsung. Actually, at the moment it is still the same LCD matrix, but through the use of special filters on quantum dots, brighter and more saturated colors are formed.
Nano Cell. LG offered their own alternative to QLED with the same pleasant “consequences” for the image, only Nano materials were used not as a basis for the filter, but directly in the matrix.
OLED. The most effective, but also the most expensive technology. Actually, there is no backlight. The matrix consists of more than 8 million organic self-illuminating pixels that turn on and off completely when an electric current passes. The result is infinite contrast and perfect black depth.
