1080i vs 1080p

Two questions that get asked a lot of the time are:
What is the difference between 1080i vs 1080p?
Will the difference affect my choice of TV and viewing quality?

To answer these questions you first need to understand what the differences are between the two and what 1080i vs 1080p deliver in terms of viewing experience and high definition. Without going into too many technical specifications I will try to keep this simple, as simple as it can be anyway.

1080i vs 1080p

1080i and 1080p are both hd or high definition display formats for hdtvs. The signals for 1080i vs 1080p actually contain the same information and the formats both represent a 1920×1080 pixel resolution. 1920 pixels across the width of the screen by 1080 pixels from the top to the bottom of the screen. The difference between 1080i vs 1080p is the way in which the signal is broadcast on an hdtv.

The ‘i’ in 1080i stands for interlaced and refers to the method used to convey the images, interlaced images get placed onto the screen sequentially with the odd numbered lines of resolution appearing on screen first followed by the even numbered lines. This all happens extremely quickly so we as consumers or TV viewers don’t notice as the frames per second is too quick for the human eye, the process is completed in about 1/30 of a second.

1080p on the other hand, like the 480p, and 720p process all the images at once, progressive scan, which makes for a smooth picture especially when watching motion based pictures such as sports and fast action movies. 1080p resolution equates to 1920×1080 pixels and is the current must have technology due to their ability every pixel in high definition.

It is important to understand at this point that while you can buy a set with the ability to display pictures in 1080p not all programs will be conveyed at this resolution and many will actually be conveyed in 1080i. 1080p displays will actually convert 1080i sources.

1080i vs 1080p Viewing Experience

So hopefully you can see how this slight difference in signal technology will affect your viewing experience and in todays buyers market there really is no reason not to buy a flat screen hdtv, plasma or LCD, without the ability of viewing 1080p.

There are still differences within 1080p formats itself which relate to the enhanced video frame rate, standard live or recorded video frame rate and standard motion picture film frame rate. Personally I’m not sure I can really tell the difference without knowing that they do exist but if you want to know more check out 1080p/60, 1080p/30 and 1080p/24.

1080i vs 1080p blu-ray

With the above in mind you’ll want to keep in mind that blu-ray and hd dvd format is conveyed in 1080p/24 and not all tv’s can actually display the signal in this format. The signal will be processed on the internal video player and output in 1080i format and then de-interlaced to display the signal in 1080p format. However in short this is really nothing to be concerned about!

In summary 1080p obviously far out performs 1080i in the raging battle of 1080i vs 1080p and the way and the rate at which technology is advancing it must be marveled at what is coming next, holographic tv? however you can be assured of one thing and that is that we haven’t seen the best of HD yet, if anything what we are experiencing now is just the start!

plasma vs lcd