iPod Upconverting for the MacTV? Why 720p!?!

[KLJennings]

Does anyone know if anyone is working on an upconverting solution for the MacTV? I know there was one introduced for the ipod at the CES. Why the heck didn't Apple just make it for resolutions up to 1080p or i?

 

[mkrishnan]

Why the heck didn't Apple just make it for resolutions up to 1080p or i?

Enhanced-definition or high-definition widescreen TVs capable of 1080i 60/50Hz, 720p 60/50Hz, 576p 50Hz (PAL format), or 480p 60Hz

Erm...explain, please?

 

[Lord Blackadder]

It doesn't do 1080 resolutions natively IIRC, which is a bummer.

 

[KLJennings]

During the keynote, Steve said that it "delivers up to 720p of high-definition video." I am sure it will work on a TV capable of 1080i, but ...

 

[mkrishnan]

During the keynote, Steve said that it "delivers up to 720p of high-definition video." I am sure it will work on a TV capable of 1080i, but ...

Mmm, technically, 720p is a higher resolution than 1080i. So saying it goes up to 720p doesn't rule out 1080i. Particularly when the specs clearly state that it supports 1080i.

 

[DeFett]

Sorry, can someone explain the difference between i and p. Thanks.

 

[Peterkro]

Upconverting,I've heard uglier words but not many.

 

[balamw]

Sorry, can someone explain the difference between i and p. Thanks.

i = Interlaced http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interlace
p = Progressive http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_scan

Nice pretty pictures there...

B

 

[killmoms]

I was under the impression that this only referred to the TV's ability to play video, not its output resolution. I'd be surprised if it didn't output pictures and its interface at 1080p, but didn't have the horsepower to decode 1080p video. It seems to be unclear, but maybe I've missed something.

 

[GFLPraxis]

Most videophiles prefer 720p over 1080i anyway.

I think I would, if I could see them running side by side.

Who cares? It's not like iTunes videos are higher than 480p.

 

[nutmac]

Most videophiles prefer 720p over 1080i anyway.

Depends. For sports (or other programs shot in 60 frames per second), 720p can be superior. But for movies (or other 24 fps programs, such as most TV dramas), 1080i is better because many scalers do a transparent job converting it to 1080p.

 

[pseudobrit]

Sorry, can someone explain the difference between i and p. Thanks.

1080i is only 540 lines of data at a time.

 

[Fearless Leader]

also most computer content is Progressive. Trying to play progressive material
on an interlaced screen will make your eyes bleed. Its awful. So since most tv's are not 1080p the next highest progressive resolution is 720p.