subject: 1080i vs. 1080p - A Short Overview [print this page] 1080i vs. 1080p - A Short Overview1080i vs. 1080p - A Short Overview
Being HD formats, 1080i and 1080p are commonly used when talking about HDTVs and Blu-ray Players. Understanding between them can get a little frustrating. 1080i and 1080p both create a video signal of a 1920x1080 pixel resolution - 1920 pixels going across your TV screen and 1080 pixels going down your television screen. (Pixels are tiny dots which make up the picture on your screen) The difference between them is in how the 1080i and 1080p video signal is seen on your TV screen.
With the 1080i high-definition format the video for individual frames are displayed in alternative fields. The field consists of 540 lines of pixels going from the top to the bottom of your television screen. First displayed are the odd fields, then the even fields are displayed. Once combined they create, every 30th of a second, one solid full frame comprised of all 1080 pixel lines.
With the 1080p HD format the video is transferred progressively. What this does is display both the odd and even fields that make up the 1080 pixel lines or one full frame, at the same time. The resulting image is significantly clearer and sharper looking than the 1080i picture. It has far less motion artifacts or jagged edges.
More on 1080p and Your HDTV:
Depending on the processing of the video signal, 1080p resolution can be shown in a few ways. They are 1080p/60, 1080p/30, or 1080p/24 formats. 1080p/60 is the most common format and most HDTVs can handle this format. Here the 1080p signal is sent and shown at a rate of 60 fps (Frames-per-second).
1080p/30 format displays the signal at a rate of 30fps.
But once Blu-ray Players came along, a new format, 1080p/24 was implemented and embraced by the film industry. Here the 1080p signal is transferred every 24fps. It your HDTV does not have the ability to process 1080p/24fps, the Blu-ray Player can also output 720p, 1080i and 1080p/60fps signals.
Knowing the differences between 1080i and the different formats of 1080p can help to clear up any confusion. But the real analysis is in your viewing on your own HDTV. On smaller screen HDTVs, the difference between 1080i and 1080p is very hard to distinguish. But any HDTV over 40 inches and you will clearly see the difference between them. And there are other factors as well, like the video processing done by a Blu-ray Player. Some Blu-ray DVD Players can create a better image than others. Your best bet is to rely on your own judgment and own eyes, and you will spoon be enjoying all the benefits that HD can bring.
