new(to me) 40D focus screen looks pixelated?

Is this normal? I'm used to my XTi's screen, which looks crystal clear except for the AF points, this one seems like it has a tiny pattern over the entire screen which (slighlty) darkens the entire viewfinder, almost like the pattern of an old television up close?

yes it's grainier. Easier to manually focus.

Thank you. I was imagining all sorts of possibly horrible things, but hoping that was simply the case.

It is normal.

And images during playback lack resolution.

But they look fine when downloaded--so go shoot and enjoy.