Maybe I am too late and this argument over but I didn't feel like reading the endless threads between Mike B and RocketPig.
http://www.atsc.org/standards/a_63.pdf
Table 1 Standardized Video Input Formats
Video standard Active lines Active samples/ line
SMPTE 274M 1080 1920
SMPTE 296M 720 1280
ITU-R BT.601-4 576 720
5.1.2 Compression format constraints
Table 3 lists the allowed compression formats.
Table 3 Compression Format Constraints
vertical_size_
value
horizontal_size_
value
aspect_ratio_
information
frame_rate_
code
progressive_
sequence
10802 1920 1,3 3 0,1
720 1280 1,3 3,6 1
720 2,3 3,6 1
3 0
576 544
480 2,3 3 0,1
352
288 352 2,3 3 1
Legend for MPEG-2 coded values in Table 3
aspect_ratio_information 1 = square samples 2 = 4:3 display aspect ratio 3 = 16:9 display aspect ratio
frame_rate_code 3 = 25 Hz 6 = 50 Hz
progressive_sequence 0 = interlaced scan 1 = progressive scan
1080P is a ATSC standard. In fact it is the only HD standard that does not require overscan(the reason 1366x768 is 720P). Overscan is for CRT monitors. You have what is called a Title safe area which is where all TVs will show regardless ofoverscan itself.
1080P and 1080i are also market buzzwords. A hell of a nice prosumer camera the XL-H1 claims to be 1080i but in fact upscales to it(not quite as simple as that as what is actualy going on has to do with green CCD but that is a bit much to go into for this post).
Upscaling is fine. But Mike you have to stop drinking the Sony Kool Aid. The two systems are about equaly powerful and the difference between the two isn't even like the XBOX and PS2 last year it is in fact much less.
MikeB please don't talk about video unless you actually work with it.
