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SD (Standard Definition)

technology

480p video resolution — older format with less detail than HD.

Explanation

SD (Standard Definition) is video at 480p (720×480) or similar low resolutions. Streaming services fall back to SD on slow connections since it needs under 1 Mbps of bandwidth. SD looks noticeably worse than HD on modern large screens.

Related Terms

HD (High Definition)720p or 1080p video resolution...4K Ultra HD3840×2160 pixel resolution — four...ResolutionThe number of pixels in...Adaptive Bitrate (ABR)Technology that automatically adjusts video...

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Last updated: March 2026