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1080

720

525

Which camera would you rather shoot with just based upon native resolution?

HD is ANYTHING above SD

In the US the NTSC system of 525 lines is considered SD, of which only 486 are visible, the rest is used for synchronization and vertical retrace.

Anything above 525 lines is considered HD.

Thus, you get wide gaps in quality from the cameras that legally claim to be HD.

Below are the comparative sizes of three of the standard resolutions.  SD is in the red 4:3 aspect ratio - 525 vertical lines. 720p is in green - 16:9 aspect ratio, 1080i is in blue, 1080 vertical lines - 16:9 aspect ratio.

You can see why SD does not look so good blown up on an HD set.

Note:  It is hard to tell the difference between 720 and 1080 resolution on a 42” inch HD set.  Anything larger, and YOU CAN.  And 42” sets are considered small by todays standards.

IF everyone had 42” sets and smaller, then you are good with most of the field acquisition cameras available.  That, however is not the case.

Watch a football game on CBS and then switch to a game on ABC on a 50” set.  There is a NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE IS PICTURE QUALITY.