What is the difference between 720p, 1080i, and 1080p?
Answer:
720p has 720 lines of progressive scan resolution. Progressive scan means that all 720 lines are displayed at each refresh.
1080i uses interlaced scan, which means that only have of the lines are displayed at any given time. The even lines are displayed, followed by the odd lines. This is done very quickly, and is not detected by the eye. This interlaced method, however, does create an image that is inferior, especiallyl compared to a 1080p (1080 lines of progressive scan). The consensus is that 1080i and 720p are similar in picture quality - undetectable by most folks. The HD broadcasts on cable and satellite are currently split between using 1080i and 720p. None are using 1080p yet.
Deciding to buy a 1080p is much more complex decision. It depends on TV size and viewing distance as to whether a 1080p HDTV would be worth it. Basically, you either need a very large TV or sit very close to a smaller one to be able to detect the improved picture a 1080p offers. Also, you need to consider that the only current 1080p content is on HD-DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD video games. Other content is in the future. Read the source blog for more information.
I hope that helps.
- ArizCale
First, the difference between p and i is that:
i=interlaced. Essentially, each frame is split into 2 fields and shown separately (each field is shown for 1/60th of a second). What this means for resolution is that only 540 lines is shown at a single time.
p=progressive. This means that the whole image is shown (there are no fields).
Now onto the resolutions.
The resolution between 1080p and 720p will be noticeable if you have a source that is feeding 1080p, such as Blu-Ray and HD-DVD. This is definitely the future of television. If your main source is going to be television and regular DVD's, a 720p television will be fine (or if cost is a concern).
If you have the funds at this time, get the 1080p. I have a 720p (actually 768p) and it looks fantastic with HD content, but side-by-side and with a 1080p source, you would see a difference.
The answers post by the user, for information only, CeQnA.com does not guarantee the right.