Glossary

high definition television

Definition: Refers to a set of standards for television that offer the highest resolution and sharpest image possible. High definition usually refers to 720 vertical lines of video format resolution or more (for example, 720p, 1080i, 1080p). Standard definition refers to 480 vertical lines of video format (480i, 480p). In these examples, the letter "p" designates "progressive," which means that each scan (vertical) line is progressively scanned in each frame; that is, the entire picture is scanned into each frame. The letter "i" designates "interlaced," which means that a television frame is updated in parts over two slices of time (the first slice draws the odd numbered scan lines, and then the next draws the even number scan lines). (Sources: CRTC Staff; sonyhdvinfo.com; and Wikipedia: "High-definition television," 8 April 2009)
French: télévision à haute définition
Associated words and phrases: standard definition television
Associated words and phrases also defined: digital broadcasting
This term is used for: HDTV; high-definition television; high-definition TV

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