The Basics

When it comes to 3D graphics, we all understand that all anti-aliasing is not equal. We know that all CPU megahertz are not created equally, that all 7200 rpm drives don’t perform identically, and that two 16-bit sound cards can have vastly different audio qualities. I’ve even shown you how all monitors are not the same when it comes to image quality.

However, when it comes to video performance and quality, all of a sudden most people suddenly assume that it’s all the same, or that you’d have to be a videophile with a trained eye to see a difference, or that the company that provided the best video quality 10 years ago is still the company with the best video quality today. After all, as long as it’s “ISF certified” it’s good, right? What this article is going to show you is that

1. There are substantial differences in video quality between different products
   
2. You will notice the difference
   
3. You will care about the difference
   
   

So yes, that was an overly elaborate introduction into what will essentially boil down to an article about video quality on the PC, but that was the only way I could have gotten you this far in an article on video quality. The people who don’t care about video quality are the people who don’t understand the differences…

You can still choose to quit now and insist that you don’t care. If you give me a chance to show you what I have, I think you’ll find it worthwhile.