LCD HDTV Resolution question

[Fei]

Unless I'm mistaken, the Xbox 360 outputs 720p as 1280x 720 pixels.  My TV's native resolution is 1360x768, and is considered 720p. 

If I order HD cable from the cable company, am I getting 1280x720, or 1360x768?  I probably wouldn't notice the upscale, but when did this happen?

I read something about 1360x768 being a better multiple of 256, for people who use HDTV's as their computer monitor... but that makes 720p more of a 'range' than a hard statistic.

Most people have 720p televisions I'd wager, but would that mean 1280x720, or 1360x768?

[Parn]

Regarding your cable, you'd be getting either 720p or 1080i.  It depends on the station that's broadcasting since they vary.  If the channel is 720p, the picture is upscaled to fit your TV's 768p resolution.  If it's 1080i, it's downscaled.  This is one of the wonderful parts of the HDTV industry... the bit of deception that they employ.  HDTVs that claim to be 720p are usually 768p.

BTW, there IS a way to get 768p out of your Xbox 360 to your LCD HDTV.  You need to buy an Xbox 360 VGA cable to do it though.  This resolution is not available through HDMI or component.  You'll have a cleaner picture if you buy one since you'd be running a native resolution.  Just make sure your LCD HDTV has a VGA input and supports that resolution first.

[Fei]

Thanks Parn.  768p... what the hell.

[Eusis]

HDTVs that claim to be 720p are usually 768p.

At least you get a little more rather than a little less, not that it helps much when you want the pixels to be exact. Never bothered me though, usually when it's that close it's only vaguely fuzzy at worst to my eyes.

The Xbox suggestion shows why (as I recall) this happens actually: I BELIEVE it was done to comply with XGA standards, though I see 1280x720 there so it's somewhat baffling.

[Parn]

That wouldn't make any sense.  XGA is 4:3 aspect ratio.  720p is 16:9.

[Eusis]

Whoops, on a closer look it's WXGA.

Edit: Whoops again, an even closer look shows that 1366x768 is HD, and 1280x720 is WXGA. I'm definitely going to need to see how this makes sense.

[Darklight]

Set your Xbox to 1080p, the tv will probably say 1080p but display 768p. The 360 is very user friendly for the resolution setting's in comparison to the "other" companies current gen console. Make sure you set the image on your panel to "Fit screen" or something similar instead of 16:9