Q34Why are some high-definition (HD), flat-screen TV sets marked "Full HD"?

A34 In response to aggressive competition and in the interests of differentiation, some manufacturers are introducing products that perfectly reproduce HD images, which requires 1,920 horizontal and 1,080 vertical pixels, for a total of some 2.1 million usable pixels. By contrast, to broadcast standard images, it is necessary to have only 720 horizontal and 480 vertical pixels, for a total of some 350,000 usable pixels.

In the past, there were HD flat-screen TVs that could not properly reproduce HD broadcasts. This is why TVs that can reproduce HD broadcasts perfectly are called full HD or full-spec HD sets. The marketing strategy behind this branding is to better differentiate among products in the marketplace, and enable manufacturers to emphasize the appeal of their latest products.