widescreen and high-definition displays

What does widescreen mean?

A widescreen (or wide aspect display) refers to the width-to-height ratio of the PC or TV panel. Standard displays have a 4:3 ratio, whereas widescreen displays have a ratio of approximately 16:9 (actual ratio may vary slightly by model).

What does high-definition mean?

High-definition displays support a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels or higher. They’re capable of displaying high-resolution content without compromising video information, which allows for full viewing of realistic images and more visible information in documents. All HP 14", 15.4" and 17.0" widescreen displays support high-definition content.

When compared with a standard 15" XGA (1024 x 768) display, a 14" widescreen WXGA (1280 x 768) provides 25 percent more screen information, and a 15.4" widescreen WXGA (1280 x 800) provides 30 percent more information. With a 17" widescreen you get as much as 65 percent more information on the screen.

What are the benefits of widescreen and high-definition displays?

Digital entertainment: The widescreen, which is better for viewing DVD movies, is Hollywood’s format of choice. The black border around the DVD playback screen is minimal, if not eliminated.

Digital photography: A widescreen is better for viewing panoramic pictures; it also allows more thumbnails to be displayed on the screen. Plus, the photo editing toolbar fits on the screen.

Games: High-resolution game applications can display more-realistic characters on a high-definition widescreen, making for a more enjoyable experience.

Enhanced productivity: High resolution supplies more screen real estate so you can fit more windows side by side without overlapping, and spend less time scrolling and toggling between windows.

Note: High-definition content (e.g., WMV HD files) is required for viewing high-definition images. Most current DVDs do not provide high-definition content.

actual: go get a new screen!
sources: compaq/hp