I seems starnge how on Google Earth some areas are really undefined - like Brighton, and some like a small village in South Wales you can see peoples cars parked on their driveways?

Is this normal - have I not pressed the right button, or is it just pot luck?

I think its normal. my mums house is quite visible but further up the street aint.

i think you'll find that its just the high definition satellites cameras haven't gone over those area yet

Though so

Its when someone has paid for the HD survey that it appears in the set.
Some councils have done this and the citys like DUNDEE are in high res.
You can see this at http://www.sat.dundee.ac.uk/

South Leeds is high res but North Leeds isn't

Bournemouth and Poole also seem to be more hi res than most areas, there seem to be 3 stages, just brown and green, can barely pick roads out, can easily see houses and cars, then high res where its almost possible to see what make of car it is.

Have a look at the Google headquarters (its listed on the left toolbar) very very hi res, but then they would wouldnt they!

Most big urban areas seem to have high res pictures. As you're zooming in, all those squares and stripes you can see of slightly different colours are where the detailed photography has been done. These areas seem to be growing - my street in bedfordshire has recently been 'upgraded' to high res. It doesn't seem to be a case of our council having paid for a new survey, as even the 'new' high res photos are about 4 years old!

liam