bit rate vs resolution

[jeepfly]

I have been looking around this site but I still can't get a clear definition. Question: What is the difference between Bitrate and Resolution? For a better picture which one should I be most concerned with? Thanks...

[lazzonya]

i'm by no means an expert, but i think:

it's really a combination of both. the higher the resolution you use, the higher the bitrate needs to be to process the extra information. the trick is to find the optimal bitrate for any given resolution (i haven't seen any tables of this) to fit on your desired media. as an example, a 480 x 480 resolution will not look as good as a 352 x 240 resolution at the same bitrate if it is too slow to process the 480 x 480. a bit confusing, i know. i hope this starts you off.

[Kdiddy]

Be concern with both, both are major factors in producing a "better picture"...laymans definitions, bitrate = amount information transfer/encoded/read etc. per second, resolution = area of space in which that information is displayed.

[hitechjunkie]

in addition to rez and bitrate, another consideration is whether or not the movie encoded is full-screen or letterboxed. full-screen movies demand more bitrates per second, so the letterboxed version at the same bitrate will look better. one final thing is the dynamics in a movie. a very dynamic movie, with lots of side-to-side motion, from panning or object movements, will demand more bitrates per second than a slower paced, more static type movie.