Is MPEG-2 true HD and is it just as good as HDMI??

Question

Is MPEG-2 true HD and is it just as good as HDMI??

Answer 1

The first Blu-ray Discs were recorded using "MPEG-2" compression technology and everyone complained about the low-quality HD images when compared to HD-DVD.

It was so bad that Sony Pictures re-released "The Fifth Element" on Blu-ray (using "MPEG-4"  compression) and offered FREE replacements to anyone who had purchased the initial release (MPEG-2) of that film.

Now you'll find, because of the complaints, all Blu-ray Discs are recorded using MPEG-4 compression.  A good move on Sony's part.

Answer 2

MPEG is just a way of compressing a signal to make it small enough to transmit.  

Directv used it for their HD, and it degraded the picture noticeably.

Now, at least some of their channels are using MPEG 4, which is supposed to be better, almost cable-quality.

I tried Direct last year, and noticed immediately that their HD wasn't as good as cable.   Some folks might disagree....if you've never had HD and subscribe to Directv, then I guess you won't know the difference.

Answer 3

HD has nothing to do with MPEG-2

You can have HD picture in MPEG-2, H.264, etc, as long as the picture is at least  720p.

HDMI is again a interface. It can be used for both SD and HD signals.