What is the Difference Between 720p and 1080p HDTVs?
High-definition television (HDTV) is available in both 720p and 1080p models. The difference between them boils down to resolution, with 1080p capable of displaying a higher native resolution than 720p sets. This doesn’t necessarily mean that in all instances a 1080p HDTV will display a better picture than a 720p set. We can thank multiple broadcast formats and the varying quality of electronic components used in HDTVs to complicate the issue just a bit. First, the basics. Every HDTV has what’s referred to as a native resolution. This is the only resolution the television can display. Every broadcast it receives or digital format it displays (such as a DVD), must all display in the native format. To do this the HDTV converts any signal that differs from its native resolution to the native resolution. Lower resolutions are “upgraded” and higher resolutions are “downgraded.” This process is known as upconverting and downconverting. In the switch from standard definition broadcasts to hig
