What is the difference between HD 1080i and 1080p?

Question

What is the difference between HD 1080i and 1080p?

Answer 1

HD means High Definition (or Hi-Def) and 1080i and p are the different type of video output.  1080 is the number of lines.  The i is interlaced and p is progressive.  Interlaced means its output is every other line.  Progressive means it's output line by line.  There will always be a debate on which is better, but most real techs (at least the ones I know and have talked to) will say progressive is better.

Answer 2

In 1080i each frame of video is sent or displayed in alternative fields. The fields in 1080i are composed of 540 rows of pixels or lines of pixels running from the top to the bottom of the screen, with the odd fields displayed first and the even fields displayed second. Together, both fields create a full frame, made up of all 1,080 pixel rows or lines, every 30th of a second.

In 1080p, each frame of video is sent or displayed progressively. This means that both the odd and even fields (all 1,080 pixel rows or pixel lines) that make up the full frame are displayed together. This results in a smoother looking image, with less motion artifacts and jagged edges.