1080p vs. 1080i

Most TV buyers are looking for the highest quality picture possible. For those shopping for a TV there is a controversy brewing about which is better 1080p or 1080i. However, the truth of the matter is that for most people both of these formats will deliver the same quality picture. Here is why.

1080i and 1080p

Both 1080i and 1080p deliver the same pixel resolution. The resolution is 1,920 pixels across the display screen by 1,080 pixels down the display screen. Since both formats offer the same resolution, the only difference is how the signal is sent directly from the source (DVD player, BluRay player, video game console, etc) and displayed on the TV screen. For those that use their TV’s to watch either TV shows, DVD’s or BluRay Discs, you will see no difference

1080i

For the 1080i format the video frames sent from the source to the TV are displayed in an alternating field. Every 30th of a second a video frame is made up of 1,080 pixel rows. These rows are sent interlaced, first the even rows are sent, then the odd rows, together they make up one full frame.

1080p

With the 1080p format, both the odd and even rows of the frame are sent together making a full frame being displayed. This means that there is no interlacing. However, most HDTV’s are made to de-interlace an image so that whether or not you have a 1080i or 1080p, the image shown will be the same.

There are exceptions to the similarities when dealing with very high end equipment and when gaming. Since the refresh rates are higher, but for the overwhelming majority of TV viewers, there will be no difference of the final images being displayed on either a 1080i or 1080p TV format.