subject: What Is Direct Hdtv: 720p Vs. 1080i Format [print this page] Before long, all channels will be fully HD; it's vastly improved crystal clear and makes viewing so much more enjoyable. Because it offers more pixels, it means the picture is much clearer.
For the highest resolution of clarity in television viewing, HD offers double the pixels of regular analog TV. The nation's leading satellite broadcast company, DirecTV, for instance, offers 130 high-def channels.
Pixel ratios for standard definition television receiver is 480 scanning lines (704 x 480) stacked top to bottom. The resolution of a fixed-pixel display is defined by the total number of horizontal pixels across each scanning line. Here we have 704 pixels for each scanning line.
With 1080i foreseen as the future broadcasting standard, you can expect the interlaced format alternative for HD taking hold. Naturally you'll need a plasma, LCD or DLP that has the capacity for showing those extra pixels.
1080i is the shorthand name of a format of high-definition video modes and usually assumes a 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio. 1080 denotes the number of horizontal scan lines. This type of terminology is also known as vertical resolution. The letter "I" stands for interlaced. In the alternate format of high-definition video mode, known as 720p, the "p" would stand for progressive scan.
1080i ((1920 x 1080)) has more lines and pixels than 720p (1,280 x 720 pixels), but 720p is a progressive-scan format that should deliver a smoother more viewable image that stays sharper during motion.
720p vs. 1080i: Progressive scanning means that each video frame is transmitted as a whole in a single sweep. (720p) produces a smoother, more film-like look, but a 1080i image actually contains greater detail.
HD DVR recorders allow you to record HD broadcasts and replay them later. Direct TV offers a free HD DVR that lets you record 50 hours of HD or up to 200 hours of standard digital broadcast television. You can even watch one show while recording another.
