What is High Definition or HD?
High Definition is often defined in the TV world by lines of resolution. A standard picture is usually 480 lines of resolution while HD is at lease 720 lines of resolution and sometimes even 1080 lines. Obviously the higher the resolution, the greater the clarity. While HD programming is only available in digital quality, one can get digital programming without getting HD. Digital just defines the framework of the method the signal is sent to your house.
High Definition (or HD) signals require an HD television or computer monitor in order to be viewed. High-definition video has an aspect ratio of 16:9 (a.k.a. widescreen). Standard-definition television (SDTV) has a 4:3 aspect ratio. High-definition television (HDTV) resolution is 1080 or 720 lines. In contrast, regular digital television (DTV) is 486 lines (upon which NTSC is based) or 576 lines (upon which PAL/SECAM are based).
A. Put simply, High Definition is a TV image which is displayed at a higher resolution than what you used to get (Standard Definition). The Xbox, Gamecube and Playstation 2 all run in Standard Definition in Australia. The Xbox 360 will let you start using High Definition capable TV sets to their full potential. You will get a much cleaner image, full of bright, strong colours and crisp lines when running in HD. You *must* have an HDTV to be able to receive HD content on your TV set.
