Microsoft to Use DVDs & HTPCs for High Definition ...

[Blu-Wave]

Beyond HDTV, there is the potential for digital IMAX using existing 35mm film as well as IMAX films. Although the complete 35mm analogue film recording and projection system (from lenses, camera, through the internegatives, prints, and projector to the screen) produces an on-screen resolution of between 900 and 2,000 lines, using high quality lenses and well-focused, well-exposed film, 35mm film is capable of around 6,000 by 4,000 pixel resolution (on the film).

NHK, who with Sony originally developed the high definition standards in the 1960s, has been working on Ultra High Definition Video [UHDV] for over ten years, and the current system is sixteen times HDTV’s spatial resolution at 7680 by 4320 pixels [33 Megapixels] and 60 frames per second. This is similar to the effective resolution of analogue HD IMAX, which runs at 48 frames per second, but the further benefit is that high quality industry standard 35mm films scanned into the UHDV system can potentially give close to standard (24fps) IMAX quality!

Even old films could benefit – and could also potentially be shown at 4 times HDTV resolution – i.e. 3840 by 2160 pixels. A 3840 by 2160 screen could also show standard HDTV (1920 by 1080 pixels) without interpolation by mapping each pixel precisely to a 2 by 2 neighbourhood, and intermediate definition HDTV (1280 by 720 pixels) by mapping each pixel to a 3 by 3 neighbourhood.

[thunderhawk]

Mmmm, I wonder if this poll would have anything to do with the Blu-ray Disc Founders decision :-D

[Gigaflop]

A few little notes:

Officially, the HDTV Specification calls for both 1080i and 720p. 1080p is actually above the HD specification. This is because it is technologically impossible at this point in time to broadcast a 1080p signal due to bandwidth constraints. So you guys that are peeved about 720p being pushed as HD.. well.. sorry buds, but it IS HD, BY DEFINITION.

Also: LG's 1080p Plasma is actually a 71" piece. Don't expect to see it less than for less than $30K through 2005.

LCOS 1080p TV's should start appearing in 2005 as well. But face it, 720p is here to stay, and will likely be the winning resolution for the next couple of years. The sellthrough for DLP and LCD rear-projection TV's - all 720p native sets, are through the roof, and will likely set a stage for where most content is designed around these sets as they represent the majority of HD capable devices on the market (bar small LCD screens, and the current flood of CRT based devices).

Apple doesn't manufacture any LCD's. There are Apple branded LCD panels... so saying "Apple makes" is a bit of a misnomer, but I suppose, that's to be expected for people not in manufacturing circles. I recommend the avsforums if you want hard-core HDTV discussions.

DLP is also ripe to hit the sweet 1080p mark in 2005, but those sets will, like any 1080p device, be expensive as hell. Since 2005 is when, by law, all broadcasters need to be broadcasting in HD, expect them to appeal to the masses... and follow the spec.. that means 1080i and 720p. 1080p content will be sparse... I don't even expect next gen video game consoles (Xbox 2, PS3) to support 1080i, I'm fully expecting them to use the far less processor intensive 720p.

1080p is still years away... sorry guys.

[phloyd]

A couple of corrections

Originally Posted by Gigaflop

1080p is actually above the HD specification.

1080p at 24 fps and 30 fps are part of the ATSC spec. 1080p at 60 fps is not.

Originally Posted by Gigaflop

1080p is still years away... sorry guys.

2005 will see 1080p from LCoS (Sony SXRD and JVC D-ILA are also both LCoS) and DLP.

1080p in LCD (23") is already here.

Cheers!
DAve.