Does up-converting loose clarity?

[CrackBookPro]

Do you lose any clarity/pixel density/resolution/etc when up-converting from 480p to 720p?

Could you tell a difference on a large screen if the video was up-converted versus a video already shot in 720p?

[poisondeathray]

Do you lose any clarity/pixel density/resolution/etc when up-converting from 480p to 720p?

Could you tell a difference on a large screen if the video was up-converted versus a video already shot in 720p?

It depends

Assuming you are watching at 1280x720 , if your algorithm for upconverting that 480p source is better than the hardware or software scaling method used when viewing, then it's actually better with your algorithm. You don't lose clarity per se - if you give sufficient bitrate or provide adequate compression

It also depends on the quality of that 720p video. Often 720p videos don't have actual resolvable detail that is 720p (the same can be said for 1080p sources). ie. the frame size is 1280x720 , but that doesn't indicate the quality or the actual detail present in that source

Assuming both are done properly (shot, processed, encoded) , then you can usually tell the difference, the 480p version will be a lot softer when viewed on a 1080p or 720p display

[edDV]

Do you lose any clarity/pixel density/resolution/etc when up-converting from 480p to 720p?

When you say 480p source, do you mean pro encoded DVD disc or something else?

The resolution will still be 720x480p but maybe with some sharpening tricks. The artifacts of sharpening will be more visible at 1280x720p so you can't use much.

Could you tell a difference on a large screen if the video was up-converted versus a video already shot in 720p?

Yes, 1280x720p native source will nearly always look better than 720x480p source.

It depends on the quality of the equipment that produced the 1280x720p source. A "720p" video from a cheap consumer digital camera will probably look worse than an upscaled commercial DVD.

This question raises another. Why are you upscaling 720x480p in the first place?