SD vs HD Explained

Video quality can often make or break your entertainment experience. The quality of video depends on a number of factors, including the number of pixels and their size. This is referred to as the “resolution” of the video. You may wonder what the difference between SD (“standard definition”) and “HD” (“high definition”) is, as these electronic acronyms can be confusing. Below you will find SD vs HD explained so you know what you are looking for.

Introduction to Resolution

Resolution is the ability of a video or camera to record details, including the size and number of pixels. It is often described as a long string of numbers where more numbers equate to more detail. More detail results in a clearer image.

Pixels:

A pixel is the basic building block of a digital photo or video. It essentially defines the video resolution. The higher resolution means each pixel is smaller. Pixels are the dots that make up the photo or video. They are the smallest individual elements of an image. While they are simply a number of dot points of color, they form an image when combined. A high pixel number results in an image that is more detailed, higher quality, and much easier to edit later.

Bitrates:

Video bitrates are the number of bits per second necessary to store and transmit video data. High bitrate numbers result in more space being taken up as it requires more bandwidth.

SD vs HD Explained

SD and HD are measurements of video quality in terms of pixels. Consider the following differences between the two.

Standard Definition:

Standard definition resolution (also referred to as “SD”) is the most basic resolution level for broadcasting and streaming. The resolution refers to a 480-pixel height in a single image and is often found in most digital cameras, camcorders, and even some televisions. While it has been around for years, SD quality is often blurry and less defined as compared to alternative resolutions. However, there is one advantage to SD as compared to HD. SD requires less bandwidth for streaming so it can operate effectively with a slow internet connection.

High Definition:

High definition resolution (also referred to as “HD”) is the industry standard in terms of streaming resolution. The resolution has a pixel height of either 720 or 1080. It is further categorized into HD-ready or standard HD resolution of 720p and 1080p or 1080i full HD resolution.

• 720p: This format has a resolution of 1280x720 pixels. It has a progressive HDTV signal format with 720 horizontal lines and 1080 columns. This results in an aspect ratio of 16:9 and a total of 931,600 pixels.
• 1080p: This format is referred to as “full-HD” and has a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. This results in over 2 million pixels of detail. This format offers better resolution as compared to 720p.
• 1080i: This format is still considered to be high-definition as it has the exact same resolution as 1080p. However, 1080i involves an interlaces scan versus a progressive scan. 1080p involves a progressive scan which produces a better quality image as it is created by drawing each frame in a one pass down the screen. Whereas 1080p uses an interlaces scan which is drawn in two passes. This results in our eyes taking longer to see the complete frame as compared to a progressive scan.

AV Systems Manufacturers

If you are upgrading your home entertainment system from SD to HD, consider using an SDI to HDMI converter. The team at Kanex Pro are the top AV systems manufacturers and can help you find exactly what you need for your projects. Check out their website for more information!