pixel count,effective pixel count,SD and HD

I do believe those pixel counts are related to the cam's screen and/or viewfinder, nothing to do with the video resolution, which is measured in lines.

crackz wrote:
.. What gives? I'm definately missing a point somewhere along the line. Hope someone can explain.

easy:
video is defined by standards.. e.g. NTSC is 720x480 pixel, AVCHD is 1440x1080 (allthough, we now see AVCHD-encoded video with the FullHD res, which is 1920x1080, .. AVCHD outside specs causes huzzle with iMovie).. hiDef is 1920x1080...

when an engineer adds more pixels to the ccd, that adds only more pixels for the STILL ( ! ) capabilities of some devices, which are sold as 'still cams' too ..

plus, it could add 'noise', 'cause the more pixels on same space make them smaller=which usually adds 'noise'/unwanted 'flimmer' to picture (The More doesn't mean automatically The Better!)

in theory, a (three) ccd, with the original videoStandard amount of pixel on a 'large' chip should result best quality..

...and sometimes the "extra" pixels are used for the electronic image stabilization. That might in turn may diminish the low light performance so I sometimes turn the stabilization off in my camcorder and use a tripod in low light.

I humbly withdraw my comment and bow to the greater knowledge of two "seasoned" veterans of the board. :)) I haven't even found the smiley faces yet!

Forest