HD, or high definition, is a widely recognized description of image quality in the digital imaging industry. Normally speaking, the HD refers image resolution of at least 720p, such as 1280*720p. If higher, then it’s also called full HD, which is 1080p, such as image resolution of 1980*1080. After that, the 2K (2560*1440）or 4K (3840*2160) are also available.
In the real world of endoscopy image quality description, the HD could be used to describe the front tip camera or the processing capability of the image processor, or even the display screen resolution.
Pictures taken with the same image processor (M12-HDMI) of different camera resolution (M3E-E20 vs M3E-E34)
Pictures taken with the same endoscope (M3E-E34, 1280X720) of different screen resolution (1980x1080 vs 1280x800)
To avoid misunderstanding, the product brochure or any advertising material should indicate the description of HD or high definition with the corresponding part.
Screenshorts of Junyuan Glimview®️Nasopharyngoscope and Image Processor Brochures
Unfortunately, the HD description is not always clearly stated with the advertisement of slim endoscopes, making it confusing to customers, and some times, even their competitors. Why?
The reason to do so is simple: to gain customer attention, especially after the image upgrade of large sized endoscopes, such as gastroscope or colonoscope. Adding the fact that large sized endoscopes are leading the market, end users have got the impression that the HD image is, and shall be available on all endoscopes. Therefore, there are many slim sized endoscopes claimed as HD with a misleading description.
Question: If the image processor or display being HD really improves the image quality in use?
Here’s a map of how the image quality is affected under a normal video endoscope system.
The distal end camera of the video endoscope determines the image quality.
The distal camera resolution determines the original image quality, and the transfer of the distal camera image to the image processor, in case of a short distance, could more or less maintain the same image quality. After that, the capability of image processor shall at least be equal or more than that of the distal camera resolution to produce the image, where the software parameters would determine the image quality. Finally, the image will be shown on a screen and the screen resolution also affect the image quality in a limited range. In another word, if the distal camera was born with 400x400, an image processor with 1980x1080 resolution may deliver a better image than that of a 640x480 system, but it shall never catch up with a distal camera of a much higher resolution, say 720p or 1080p.
All above, do you think it’s a new definition or a marketing trick if advertising a 400x400 camera endoscope as HD based on the image processor or screen?