Question about HD

R

robman_rob

Limp Gawd
Joined
Mar 7, 2006
Messages
273
Hey guys before I wrote this I tried looking up some information about HD but I couldn't quite find the answers I was looking for so I came here...

I have a question about high definition (HD). I'll try to formulate it as best as I can.

This is what I've always thought to be true:

/start thought

If I have a older computer that is not HD compatible and a newer one that is (HD video card and HD monitor), and I had a normal picture, then both computers would display the same thing right?

Now if I had a HD image, then the older computer would display it as if it was nonHD and the newer computer would displayer a better image right?

/end thought

So basically older computers that are not HD compatible would not be able to view HD images in all their glory?

But I looked at the following pictures with both new HD compatible and older non HDcompatible computers and well they look nicer on both computers

http://www.cornbread.org/FOTRCompare/index.html

so basically, I am wrong with my thought, so what was the point of buying a HD compatible computer?
 
I'm very confused here...I guess I'm not sure what you mean by "HD computer" First of all, "HD" means different things to all people...720p, 1080i and 1080p are all "HD" resolutions and to some peoples eyes even 480p seems to be HD. There are 2 main components on a computer that determine if it is capable of displaying an HD image....the monitor and video card. And also when we're talking about lcd's the size of the monitor also makes a difference because a 24" panel is the smallest that is true 1080p capable. I'm not even going to get into HDCP even though that may be a big factor really soon...and then again I may have totally misunderstood what you were asking.:confused:


edit- on something as small as a computer monitor (even 30") you will have trouble telling the difference between a 720p image and a 1080p.
 
I have a computer (computer 1) that should be displaying in high definition. I also have an old laptop (computer 2) that I am sure is not displaying in high definition. When I look at the pictures on that site I linked, I thought the high definition pictures would only look nicer on computer 1. But they also look nicer on computer 2. Why is that? I fail to see why I paid more for a high definition monitor and video card when I can experience the same results with my old laptop.

There I hope this makes more sense.
 
correct me if I'm wrong, but it is simply put that "High Definition" really only means a larger resolution video (and pictures I would assume).

put all the interlaced/progressive stuff aside and that'd be the only difference?

maybe i just made all that up :rolleyes:
 
Technically, any resolution of 1280x720 would be considered "HD" in terms of the bare minimum rating of HD as far as video is concerned, so if you have a computer/laptop screen that runs at that resolution or higher, technically you are HD capable in terms of reproducing an HD video at it's native resolution of 720p

1920x1080 is the other HD resolution, so if you have a screen capable of that resolution or higher, you can reproduce a 1080i video feed in all its glory. Saying 1080p simply means 1920x1080@60hz, and any 19" CRT worth a damn has been capable of that for a long while.

PC displays have been "HD" capable for years, we just didn't have all the buzzwords to describe the capability (or to confuse everybody)
 
Thank you for explaining about the monitors... now do you know how does a HD video card make a difference compared to a non HD compliant one?
 
robman_rob said:
Thank you for explaining about the monitors... now do you know how does a HD video card make a difference compared to a non HD compliant one?
Click to expand...

You're probably talking about HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection), which is a form of DRM that will be used for HD-DVD and Blu-Ray. Basically, if an HD-DVD or BR disc has a bit set (image constraint token), then it requires an HDCP compliant monitor/TV and source in order for you to be able to view the stuff in high resolution mode. It also requires a digital link like HDMI or DVI between source and viewer.

If you don't have an HDCP compliant video card, then HD-DVD and Blu-Ray discs that enforce image constraint will leave you to view some lower resolution version of the video stream.
 
robman_rob said:
I have a computer (computer 1) that should be displaying in high definition. I also have an old laptop (computer 2) that I am sure is not displaying in high definition. When I look at the pictures on that site I linked, I thought the high definition pictures would only look nicer on computer 1. But they also look nicer on computer 2. Why is that? I fail to see why I paid more for a high definition monitor and video card when I can experience the same results with my old laptop.

There I hope this makes more sense.
Click to expand...

Well it all depends on what resolution the monitors are set at and what resolution the images are. If your images are larger than the resolution of your monitors, then you are either going to have to scroll to see the whole image, or it's going to be "smashed" (not sure of the correct term) to fit the screen. If the image is smaller than the resolution and you want to view it full screen then you will be "stretching" the image and it won't look as good.

It also depends on the quality of the screen you are looking at and the pixel pitch. I won't go into detail, but I almost compare it to playing a PS2 on a Standard Definition monitor, and playing it on my 42" LCD 1080P tv. Looks better on my SD TV over my HD TV. The PS2 is very much stretched on my 42" LCD.

/flameshield (if I screwed up)
 
clayton006 said:
Well it all depends on what resolution the monitors are set at and what resolution the images are. If your images are larger than the resolution of your monitors, then you are either going to have to scroll to see the whole image, or it's going to be "smashed" (not sure of the correct term) to fit the screen. If the image is smaller than the resolution and you want to view it full screen then you will be "stretching" the image and it won't look as good.

It also depends on the quality of the screen you are looking at and the pixel pitch. I won't go into detail, but I almost compare it to playing a PS2 on a Standard Definition monitor, and playing it on my 42" LCD 1080P tv. Looks better on my SD TV over my HD TV. The PS2 is very much stretched on my 42" LCD.

/flameshield (if I screwed up)
Click to expand...

I think you mean "scaled"?
 
robman_rob said:
Thank you for explaining about the monitors... now do you know how does a HD video card make a difference compared to a non HD compliant one?
Click to expand...

Well, hmmm.

The whole HD thing is being used more as a buzzword than anything, basically, any video card and PC combo capable of decoding "HD" resolution video streams would 'technically' be an HD card. (i.e: 1280x270@60hz = 720p, 1920x1080i@30/60hz 1080i/p)

I believe every ATi card since the x800/x850 series has been 'HD' compliant, and the Nvidia series hammered it all out for sure around the 7800xx line of cards, I may be off on that but it's close.

Now, different features/capabilities targeted at Home Theater integration, or HD decoding (read: acceleration) built into the card/drivers would technically make one card excel at HD video display over another.

Honestly though, it's mostly marketing buzzword vernacular you're running into, we're kind of over-thinking it here.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top