Difference between high resolution and high definition

[gill3891]

can anyone tell me asap what the difference between high resolution and high definiton televisions? I have a xbox 360 and want to buy a high defintion tv for it, but the one i have found is high resolution not high def. Whats the diff? thanks

[tsmith12]

Resolution is a measure of the number of pixels or "dots" that are displayed on the screen you are viewing, for example a resolution of 1280x1024 means that there is a grid of pixels on the screen 1280 horizontally and 1024 vertically, each dot displaying a different colour. Definition is a measure of how often these dots change their colour, standard televisions change each of the dots colour either 50 or 100 times a second, where as a high definition television might change these dots 720 or 1080 a second.

Tom

[gill3891]

thanks for your answer tom, just one more if you don't mind? the xbox 360 recommends a high def tv, so reading what you just said about the difference, the tv am looking at would not be suitable would it?

[rojash]

Unfortunately tsmith12's answer is not correct.

Television images are divided into horizontal lines of pixels. The more lines, the better the picture quality. Regular televisions show 480 lines per frame. HDTV, on the other hand, uses up to 1080 active, viewable lines of resolution. That's a big difference. How those lines are redrawn on the TV screen is called scanning mode. Some HDTV systems use interlaced scanning, others use progressive scanning.

Interlaced scanning

Interlaced scanning is indicated in resolution specifications with the letter "i", as in 1080i. Interlaced means every other line of pixels in a frame is refreshed every 60th of a second. Thus, the complete frame is "redrawn" every 30th of a second.

Progressive scanning

Progressive scanning is indicated in resolution specifications with the letter "p", as in 720p. Progressive means every line of pixels is refreshed with every scan. Thus the complete frame is "redrawn" every 60th of a second.

[gill3891]

so rojash, whats the difference between hd and hr tv? can i buy a high res one for the xbox 360 and will it still be as good as a hd one?

[Ralph]

There is no difference between HD and HR. Definition is more of a laymans term whereas resolution is more of a computer term so may be avoided in the description of household items. If you think about it, if something is a higher resolution, it allows it to be more defined. See here for a good explanation.