720×576

720×576 is a standard-definition (SD) digital video resolution used primarily in PAL and SECAM regions. The 576 refers to the number of vertical lines, while 720 denotes the number of horizontal samples per line. In typical broadcast and storage workflows, this resolution is encoded as interlaced video (720×576i) at 25 frames per second, which yields 50 fields per second. Progressive variants (576p) exist but are much less common for traditional SD content.

In terms of aspect ratio, 720×576 with square pixels would be 5:4. To display images at common consumer aspect ratios on displays with non-square pixels, the pixel aspect ratio (PAR) is used to map to the intended display aspect ratio. For a 4:3 presentation, the required PAR is 16:15; for a 16:9 presentation, a PAR of 64:45 achieves a 16:9 display. Thus the same 720×576 frame can represent different DARs depending on the PAR selected during encoding or mastering.

Applications and standards. 720×576 is the standard resolution for PAL/SECAM SD video in digital formats, and it is widely used in DVD-Video content produced for PAL regions as well as in some broadcast and DVB workflows. In professional video, the ITU-R BT.601 standard defines the 720×576 sampling grid with 4:2:2 chroma subsampling for SD digital video. Compared with NTSC’s 720×480, 720×576 reflects the higher vertical line count typical of PAL/SECAM systems.

Today, 720×576 is largely superseded by high-definition formats but remains relevant for archival SD content and legacy systems.