Apple Final Cut Pro HD (4.5): New Features - Manual (Page 106)

106 Appendix High Definition Video Fundamentals
ATSC Digital Television Formats
With the exception of Japan’s MUSE HDTV broadcast format and current HD
development in Europe, HDTV today usually refers to the ATSC specifications. Unlike
the single frame size and rate of the NTSC and PAL formats, the ATSC chose18 official
digital television formats, and several of these have official designations from the
Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE). Broadcasters can use their
currently allocated frequency spectrums however they choose. For example, a network
may choose to show a single HD channel or two simultaneous SD channels.
The ATSC standards also introduced six high definition television standards. Though
some experts define high definition video as any image with over 1000 lines, the
general consensus is that both the1920 x 1080 and 1280 x 720 formats are high
definition television (HDTV) formats. The smaller, older generation of analog and digital
formats, generally referred to as standard definition (SD), are represented in the ATSC
standards, as well as several SD widescreen (16 x 9) formats.
ATSC has also satisfied computer manufacturers with the option of a progressive
scanning method. In the ATSC table below, the scanning method is labeled either
interlaced (i) or progressive (p).
Related
SMPTE standard
Dimensions
Frame rate and
scanning method Aspect
ratio Pixel
dimensions
SMPTE 274-1998 1920 x 1080 60i
30p
24p
16 x 9 Square
SMPTE 296M-2001 1280 x 720 60p
30p
24p
16 x 9 Square
SMPTE 293M-1996 720 x 480 or
704 x 480 60p 16 x 9 Rectangular
720 x 480 or
704 x 480 60i
30p
24p
16 x 9 Rectangular
720 x 480 or
704 x 480 60p
60i
30p
24p
4 x 3 Rectangular
640 x 480 60p 4 x 3 Square
SMPTE RS170A 640 x 480 60i 4 x 3 Square
640 x 480 30p
24p
4 x 3 Square
UP01022.Book Page 106 Tuesday, March 23, 2004 7:32 PM