1080I Vs. 1080P HDTV
HDTV's come in a variety of models with different resolutions. 480i is standard definition. 480p is enhanced definition and is slightly better than standard definition. 720p, 1080i and 1080p are all high definition, and there is a long-running debate as to which is better, especially between 1080i and 1080p.
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Resolution
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Both 1080i and 1080p feature the same resolution--1,920 x 1,080. All TV screens consist of tiny pixels that form images on the screen. With a 1080 resolution, there are 1,920 vertical lines and 1,080 horizontal lines of resolution. This totals more than two million pixels.
Interlaced
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The "i" in 1080i stands for interlaced, meaning that only half of the picture is being displayed at any given time. All of the odd numbered lines of resolution are scanned, followed by all of the even numbered lines, all within 1/30 of a second.
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Progressive
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The "p" in 1080p stands for progressive. Unlike an interlaced image, with progressive scanning the entire image is scanned at once, giving you the full picture at all times. This makes for a clearer image and smoother motion, especially for motion intensive programs like sports.
Cost
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Generally, a 1080p HDTV will be more expensive than a 1080i HDTV. A 32-inch 1080i LCD TV retails for around $400 while a 32-inch 1080p LCD TV averages around $600. However, prices are falling and the difference is almost negligible. Also, 1080i TVs are being phased out and replaced with "Full HD" 1080p sets.
Available Content
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The difference between 1080i and 1080p is most noticeable when watching content. For the most part, television stations do not broadcast 1080p signals at all due to bandwidth constraints. Most high def content on TV is either 720p or 1080i. DVDs display at 480p. The Xbox 360 with HDMI output and PlayStation 3 are both capable of 1080p, although many games have a native resolution of 720p.
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