What are the various HDTV formats?
• 480 interlaced (480i): The digital imitation of traditional analog television, 480i provides a sequential 480-line display with a 30 Hz refresh rate. This is considered Standard Definition Television (SDTV) and is supported by most HDTVs. • 480 progressive (480p): Another Standard Definition Television (SDTV) format that displays 480 lines progressively, the same way a computer monitor does, thus reducing flicker and motion artifacts. • 1080 interlaced (1080i): The first of the HDTV formats, it means 1080 picture scan lines are shown from top to bottom as interlaced fields. The 1920 pixels per line result in just over 2 million pixels on the screen. • 720 progressive (720p): 720p scans 720 picture scan lines at a 60 hr refresh rate. Proponents believe the high refresh rate produces the same “perceived quality” as the 1080i format, but the HDTV units can be produced for significantly less money!
