DVD - it appears we are not getting the full image

DVD = 720 across x 480 down (in terms of pixels) maximum. The 720
across is fine because NTSC has a theoretical maximum of only 711
horizontal resolution. (In reality, it is often far far less... cable
tv is only 300-325.)

.

But what's with the 480 down? NTSC has 486 scanlines that carry a
visible picture, so that means in the process of converting old analog
recordings (like Star Trek TNG or the Old Battlestar Galactica) to
digital DVD, we lose the top 3 and bottom 3 scanlines of the picture.

Source: 4.1 to 4.5

Deke...

akjack...

Top scan lines on NTSC broadcast TV are used for closed captioning
and teletext. 480 lines are available for picture.

videonovels...

There are 486 visible scanlines (numbered 20-506). The CC is stored in
lines 18 and 19 just prior to the visible portion of the picture.

http://www.answers.com/topic/vertical-blanking-interval

Dude, youre gonna give yourself a headache.
Pixels, and scan lines, are not interchangeable.

videonovels...

Sure they are. There are 1280x1024 pixels on my computer screen. But
they are drawn by a SCANLINES moving left-to-right across the screen.
The pixels on the crt would not exist with those scanlines.

If youre watching a DVD on a SD tv with 1000 lines of
horizontal resolution, what are you watching?
And about those missing lines, there's lots more that you arent supposed to
see.
Check out VIR. You can even see it if you have an older
TV with a vertical control.