I've got an older LG tv, a 42" LCD. It is only 720p. Researching the model when I first got it (craigslist handyman special - $20!), I found that the native resolution of the panel is 1360x768... (according to the instructions/my experience with connecting a PC via VGA, this is the necessary resolution) So... how does that work? I was under the impression that, when using an LCD (for instance on a computer), if one were to use a resolution other than the native it would have a poor picture quality. Have things changed, and this is only on old LCDs? Why does a 720p signal appear "perfect" on this even though the native pixel count does not agree? This brings up my second question: The 360 is capable of many resolutions other than the standard 480/720/1080 (unlike the PS3 which only supports the standard TV set). If I were to use a VGA cable to connect my 360 to this TV will I be technically getting a better picture (those few extra pixels)? I'm pretty new to the whole "HD" gaming thing, having originally played my PS3 on a SD CRT for a long time before finally getting this TV within the last year. Just thinking.
Usually that's a small upscale, so you don't notice the imperfections. I don't use an LCD though, I use a 70's TV that's wooden, and uses tubes.
Is it common for modern HD TVs to have an actual pixel count different than one of the "standard" resolutions?
Even my 70's tube TV has a maximum pixel count, technically. 480i only aside, if you could over-ide the limits of NTSC, the resolution is limited by the shadow masks dot pitch.. Black and white TV's, could technically push a lot, because it's just a beam tracing on phosphorus screen. It's limits are how fast you can get the yoke to sweep, and how small you can get the focus.
It's small upscaling. It's really fucking annoying that they went with 1366x768 instead of actual 720p. With the 360 you can set it to 768p without issue so the 360 does the upscaling. But with the PS3, you can only use 720p so the panel has to scale it. Pixel count of 720p:921,600 Pixel Count of 768p:1,049,088 Difference of only 13% or 1.138X 720p. It's not a huge difference So little scaling is needed. Though like others have said most TVs these days still use overscan. Most likely to cater to Cable TV. Since they still hid CC data and other stuff in the overscan areas. It's dumb as hell. But luckily most TVs include a 1:1 mode. That's the mode you should always use.
