My TV is set to 1080p but my cable box says 1080i, Am i getting the best picture?

Question

I just got a TV that is set to 1080p (Factory setting, I cant change it) and my cable box says 1080i, (again i dont think think i can change it) and i just got HDMI cables. Because the cable box says 1080i and the TV is 1080p am I getting the correct picture?

Answer 1

there are no broadcasters that use 1080p yet.

720p is in theory a better picture, than 1080i. but most people cant notice a difference.

Answer 2

1080i is the current limitation on HD broadcasts.  You are getting the best possible picture when watching a 1080i broadcast.  The only 1080p sources right now are Blu-Ray, Playstation 3 and Xbox-360.

Answer 3

yes and no.  i is for interlaced, this means that every other line is virtual.  p means progressive, this means that every line is real.  A progressive image is better than an interlaced one.  However, broadcasts are currently 1080i and you are getting the best quality you can.