What is better 1080p or 1080i?

Question

What is better 1080p or 1080i?

Answer 1

The answer is, it depends.

The "i' stands for "interlaced" scanning and the "p" stands for progressive scanning. Think of a beam of light moving from the top left of the screen to the bottom right, row by row.

Interlaced displays take two of these scans, one on every other row, to make a complete picture. Progressive scans create the picture in one sweep of the rows from top to bottom.

Over-the-air DTV (which the US us converting to in 2/2009) has a maximum resolution of 1080i (a measure of pixels). Some networks broadcast in 720p (for example Fox, I think); CBS broadcasts over the air HD in 1080i. (A lower resolution with progressive scanning uses the same bandwidth as interlaced scanning with a higher resolution.)

Even with advanced cable systems, like FiOS, you are very unlikely to get source material with greater resolution than 1080i.

However, there are two things to consider. First, new sources of programming. Blu-ray can produce 1080p output over HDMI cables.

Second, fast-motion. Some people think that you can see "artifacts" on sporting events in 1080i (I hate CBS's broadcasts of NFL games for this reason and think Fox's look better.)

At the end of the day, 1080p displays are not that much more expensive today than 1080i displays and if cost isn't a factor, you'd probably be happier with it over the long run.  

Answer 2

Technically speaking, 1080p is better than 1080i. Some people say that 1080p is the only "true HD", which is a matter of opinion. Check out this article for more info:

http://hometheater.about.com/od/televisi...

The bigger the TV, and the closer you sit to the screen, the more obvious the difference becomes. This page has more info on that.

http://www.carltonbale.com/2006/11/1080p...

Hope this helps!

Answer 3

Straight 1080p and 1080i at 60 frame/second is no better than the other. It's just a different way of getting 1920x1080 resolution on to your screen. On modern displays there aren't any scan lines like on an older CRT tube TV. The i in 1080i means interlaced which further means that you are getting the odd lines one frame and the even the next. Modern TVs will take the odd and even frame and paste them together resulting in a 1080p image 30 times a second (half of 60). When displayed on a 1080p capable TV it is virtually indistinguishable from a 1080p signal.

However on Bluray or HDDVD disc the signal is 1080p24 (which is the only current 1080p source other than game consoles and PCs). This is thought of as superior on 24 fps capable displays because it avoids the 3:2 pull down method of converting 24 fps to 30 fps which can add blur or jagged edges to motion intense scenes.

As far as weather 1080 or 1080i display is better. A 1080p LCD or Plasma display will have 1920x1080 pixels where as a 1080i display will have 1280x720. The picture on a 1080p display may appear sharper closeup but at normal viewing distances it will be indistinguishable.

You best bet is to go to a retailer and have them show you a good 1080i and 1080p display roughly the same size and viewing the same source. Step back about 7 or 8 feet or what ever your normal viewing distance is and you will see not much of a difference. Any differences you may see are in the TVs calibration (ie: contrast, brightness, etc).