TiVo SDOC-00091-002 manual Native, Hybrid, and Fixed Formats, Choose What Looks Best to You

Each video format is named with a number and a letter: 1080i and 720p are high-definition formats, 480p is known as enhanced-definition, and 480i is standard-definition.

The number indicates video resolution: how many horizontal lines of information make up a single frame of video. Generally, bigger numbers mean sharper, more detailed images. The letter indicates the method of scanning: interlaced or progressive.

With interlaced scanning (1080i & 480i), the horizontal lines in a video frame are divided into two groups. If you were to number the lines from the top to the bottom of the screen, one group would be the odd numbered lines, and the other would be the even numbered lines. All the odd lines, then all the even lines, are refreshed 60 times per second, alternating between the two. This means the whole video frame refreshes 30 times per second. This is fine for smaller screens but can result in flickering on larger screens.

Progressive scanning (720p & 480p) refreshes the whole video frame (all even and odd horizontal lines) 60 times per second. This eliminates flicker but requires the TV to process more information since twice as many frames are displayed each second.

Native, Hybrid, and Fixed Formats

Just as TV programs are broadcast in a variety of formats, TV equipment receives and displays video in a variety of formats. For

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any given program, the broadcast format may or may not match a format that your HDTV is capable of displaying.

The TiVo DVR offers three types of formats which control how broadcast signals are converted—if at all— for display on your TV.

Native (Recommended). When you use native format, the DVR sends all video in its original broadcast format, with no conversion. Native mode is recommended if your TV supports all four formats. It’s also a good format to choose if you consider yourself an HD novice.

Hybrid. When you use a hybrid format, the DVR converts standard broadcast signals to 480p. It converts HD broadcasts to the HD format you choose. Hybrid is recommended if your TV supports either 720p or 1080i, but not both.

Fixed. When you use a fixed format, the DVR converts signals broadcast in other formats to the fixed format you choose, and video is always displayed in this format. Choose the fixed format that matches your TV’s highest resolution. Using a fixed format eliminates any screen flicker associated with switching formats automatically, as occurs in native or hybrid modes.

See “Video Settings” on page 56 for more.

Choose What Looks Best to You

You should feel free to experiment with all the different video formats that your TV and the TiVo DVR support. You may find that some formats are better suited to certain programs than others.