Enhanced definition television
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Enhanced definition television, extended definition television, or EDTV is a shorthand term for certain television formats.
EDTV generally refers to a standard-definition 704 pixel × 480 line signal that is broadcast at 60 progressive (complete) frames per second (as opposed to 60 interlaced fields per second, see NTSC) or 704 pixel × 576 line signal that is broadcast at 50 progressive frames per second (as opposed to 50 interlaced fields per second, see PAL and SECAM). This is commonly referred to as "480p" or "576p". A standard definition television signal is broadcast with interlaced frames and is commonly referred to as "480i" or "576i".
EDTV signals are often broadcast in a 16:9 aspect ratio, and are generally considered equivalent in picture quality to the DVD format.
In the United States, the ATSC formats include SDTV, EDTV and HDTV formats.
Prior to the 2004-2005 television season, the Fox Network was broadcasting in EDTV in the US. As of the 2004-2005 season, they have begun broadcasting in 720p, an HDTV format.