480p
Encyclopedia
480p is the shorthand name for a video display resolution. The p stands for progressive scan
, i.e. non-interlaced. The 480 denotes a vertical resolution of 480 pixel high vertically scanning lines, usually with a horizontal resolution of 640 pixel
s and 4:3 aspect ratio
or a horizontal resolution of less than 854 (848 should be used for mod16 compatibility) pixels for an approximate 16:9
aspect ratio (480 × = 853.333…). Since a pixel must be a whole number, in Wide VGA displays it is generally rounded up to 854 to ensure inclusion of the entire image. The frame rate
(hertz
) is usually 30 or 60 progressive frames per second and can be given explicitly after the letter p. The frames are displayed progressively as opposed to interlaced. 480p was used for many early Plasma televisions. Standard definition has always been a 4:3 aspect ratio with a pixel resolution of 640 × 480 pixels. Mini-DV, DVCAM, DV footage is recorded at 29.97 frames per second in this standard definition as seen on DV tapes.
480p does not qualify as high-definition television
(HDTV); it is considered Enhanced-definition television
(EDTV).
standards define 480p with either 704 × 480 (non-square sampling) or 640 × 480 (square sampling) pixel resolutions, at 24, 30, or 60 progressive frames per second.
Both 480p24 and 480p30 are more common in countries that use or have used the interlaced NTSC
system like North America and Japan (these formats are somewhat compatible with that system, when used to broadcast progressive film content).
, 480p60 is considered enhanced-definition television (EDTV
). It can be transported by both major digital television
formats, ATSC and DVB.
SMPTE 293M defines a 480p59.94 standard with twice the data rate of Rec. 601, using 720 × 480 active pixels. ITU-R
Rec. 601 is the specification for component digital interlaced video (480i
) commonly used in standard definition television production.
Progressive scan
Progressive scanning is a way of displaying, storing, or transmitting moving images in which all the lines of each frame are drawn in sequence...
, i.e. non-interlaced. The 480 denotes a vertical resolution of 480 pixel high vertically scanning lines, usually with a horizontal resolution of 640 pixel
Pixel
In digital imaging, a pixel, or pel, is a single point in a raster image, or the smallest addressable screen element in a display device; it is the smallest unit of picture that can be represented or controlled....
s and 4:3 aspect ratio
Aspect ratio (image)
The aspect ratio of an image is the ratio of the width of the image to its height, expressed as two numbers separated by a colon. That is, for an x:y aspect ratio, no matter how big or small the image is, if the width is divided into x units of equal length and the height is measured using this...
or a horizontal resolution of less than 854 (848 should be used for mod16 compatibility) pixels for an approximate 16:9
16:9
16:9 is an aspect ratio with a width of 16 units and height of 9. Since 2009, it has become the most common aspect ratio for sold televisions and computer monitors and is also the international standard format of HDTV, Full HD, non-HD digital television and analog widescreen television ...
aspect ratio (480 × = 853.333…). Since a pixel must be a whole number, in Wide VGA displays it is generally rounded up to 854 to ensure inclusion of the entire image. The frame rate
Frame rate
Frame rate is the frequency at which an imaging device produces unique consecutive images called frames. The term applies equally well to computer graphics, video cameras, film cameras, and motion capture systems...
(hertz
Hertz
The hertz is the SI unit of frequency defined as the number of cycles per second of a periodic phenomenon. One of its most common uses is the description of the sine wave, particularly those used in radio and audio applications....
) is usually 30 or 60 progressive frames per second and can be given explicitly after the letter p. The frames are displayed progressively as opposed to interlaced. 480p was used for many early Plasma televisions. Standard definition has always been a 4:3 aspect ratio with a pixel resolution of 640 × 480 pixels. Mini-DV, DVCAM, DV footage is recorded at 29.97 frames per second in this standard definition as seen on DV tapes.
480p does not qualify as high-definition television
High-definition television
High-definition television is video that has resolution substantially higher than that of traditional television systems . HDTV has one or two million pixels per frame, roughly five times that of SD...
(HDTV); it is considered Enhanced-definition television
Enhanced-definition television
Enhanced-definition television, or extended-definition television, is a United States Consumer Electronics Association marketing shorthand term for certain digital television formats and devices...
(EDTV).
480p24 and 480p30
The ATSC digital televisionDigital television
Digital television is the transmission of audio and video by digital signals, in contrast to the analog signals used by analog TV...
standards define 480p with either 704 × 480 (non-square sampling) or 640 × 480 (square sampling) pixel resolutions, at 24, 30, or 60 progressive frames per second.
Both 480p24 and 480p30 are more common in countries that use or have used the interlaced NTSC
NTSC
NTSC, named for the National Television System Committee, is the analog television system that is used in most of North America, most of South America , Burma, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, and some Pacific island nations and territories .Most countries using the NTSC standard, as...
system like North America and Japan (these formats are somewhat compatible with that system, when used to broadcast progressive film content).
480p60 (480p59.94)
With doubled temporal resolutionTemporal resolution
Temporal resolution refers to the precision of a measurement with respect to time. Often there is a tradeoff between temporal resolution of a measurement and its spatial resolution. This trade-off can be attributed to the finite speed of light and the fact that it takes a certain period of time...
, 480p60 is considered enhanced-definition television (EDTV
EdTV
EDtv is a 1999 American comedy film directed by Ron Howard. An adaptation of the Quebec film Louis 19, le roi des ondes , it stars Matthew McConaughey, Jenna Elfman, Woody Harrelson, Ellen DeGeneres, Martin Landau, Rob Reiner, Sally Kirkland, Elizabeth Hurley, Clint Howard, and Dennis Hopper.The...
). It can be transported by both major digital television
Digital television
Digital television is the transmission of audio and video by digital signals, in contrast to the analog signals used by analog TV...
formats, ATSC and DVB.
SMPTE 293M defines a 480p59.94 standard with twice the data rate of Rec. 601, using 720 × 480 active pixels. ITU-R
ITU-R
The ITU Radiocommunication Sector is one of the three sectors of the International Telecommunication Union and is responsible for radio communication....
Rec. 601 is the specification for component digital interlaced video (480i
480i
480i is the shorthand name for a video mode, namely the US NTSC television system or digital television systems with the same characteristics. The i, which is sometimes uppercase, stands for interlaced, the 480 for a vertical frame resolution of 480 lines containing picture information; while NTSC...
) commonly used in standard definition television production.
See also
- 1080p1080p1080p is the shorthand identification for a set of HDTV high-definition video modes that are characterized by 1080 horizontal lines of resolution and progressive scan, meaning the image is not interlaced as is the case with the 1080i display standard....
- 720p720p720p is the shorthand name for 1280x720, a category of High-definition television video modes having a resolution of 1080 or 720p and a progressive scan...
- 576p576p576p is the shorthand name for a video display resolution. The p stands for progressive scan, i.e. non-interlaced, the 576 for a vertical resolution of 576 lines, usually with a horizontal resolution of 720 or 704 pixels. The frame rate can be given explicitly after the letter.-576p25:In other...
- 576i576i576i is a standard-definition video mode used in PAL and SECAM countries. In digital applications it is usually referred to as "576i", in analogue contexts it is often quoted as "625 lines"...
- 480i480i480i is the shorthand name for a video mode, namely the US NTSC television system or digital television systems with the same characteristics. The i, which is sometimes uppercase, stands for interlaced, the 480 for a vertical frame resolution of 480 lines containing picture information; while NTSC...
- 240p
- Enhanced-definition televisionEnhanced-definition televisionEnhanced-definition television, or extended-definition television, is a United States Consumer Electronics Association marketing shorthand term for certain digital television formats and devices...
(EDTV)