Are you, like many other people (don’t feel bad), confused about HDTV resolution, specifically what a 1080i resolution monitor is versus one that is 1080ip resolution? Well not to worry because here for your information are clear explanations for both the 1080i and 1080p High-Definition TVs.

1080i HDTV

A High-Definition TV with 1080i resolution is displayed in the same amount of pixels as the 1080p – 1,920 x 1,080 – however the scanning format is different; it is interlaced instead of progressive. What this means is that lines of the images you are viewing are in a sense ‘painted’ onto the screen, in sequence. In total, there are 1,080 lines of resolution in every screen image. With a 1080i high-definition TV, the odd-numbered lines of resolution appear first and then the even-numbered lines follow within 1/30th of a second to complete the picture, totaling 1/60th of a second for the entire process to finish. It happens so fast that you obviously won’t be able to actually see the picture forming in that way, but that is the resolution system, in a nutshell.

Some 1080i High-Definition TVs claim that they ‘de-interlace’ during the ‘interlacing’ process which means that the TV converts the resolution definition process to produce a ‘progressive scan’ as in the 1080p. However, testing has been performed to confirm that claim and basically, about half of the 1080i’s tested actually failed to completed the ‘de-interlacing process’ successfully.

1080p HDTV

Let’s start out by explaining that HD resolution definitions are based on the amount of pixels displayed on the screen – pixels are the tiny, little boxes of color that combine to make up the images on your screen. The actual pixel count on a 1080p monitor will produce images at 1,920 x 1,080, which is higher than a standard high-definition TV screen resolution in say a 720p, which displays 1,280 x 720p. Also referred to by some companies as ‘Ultra-HD’, ‘Ultra’, ‘True’ or ‘Full’, a High-Density TV with a 1080p monitor resolution will essentially display every single pixel – over 2,000,000 – in the picture for you whenever you are viewing an HD broadcast.

In addition to displaying every single pixel, the basic workings of the 1080p monitor also involve displaying every single line of resolution at once, instead of sequentially like a tube-based, aka ‘CRT’ TV does. This process, known as ‘progressive scanning’, produces a much clearer, smoother picture for you, and is especially beneficial for viewing intensely motion-related programs such as sporting events.

Cost Comparison

Since the 1080p is that ‘latest and greatest’ in high-definition TV resolution, you should expect to pay more for it than an HDTV with a 1080i system. In general, until HDTVs with 1080p eventually become more of the ‘norm’, they will run you about $1,000 more than a 1080i.

The Bottom Line

In some instances independent researches who perform professional comparison tests between the 1080p and 1080i actually recommend not purchasing a 1080p. Based on the fact that performance will vary between manufacturers, what it actually comes down to is that the main advantage is simply that with a 1080i, the recommended seating distance is eight feet for the clearest display, whereas with a 1080p, you can sit closer to it and still view a sharp picture.

Overall, there are several other aspects that determine the final resolution and how clear and sharp the images are that you are viewing on a High-Density TV. These include contrast ratio, bandwidth, optics (in projectors) and black-level. Of course, good signal processing is always important and a 1080i that actually does complete the de-interlacing method properly will display a better picture than one that doesn’t.