What is the difference between 720p and 1081i HD broadcasts?
To the human eye, the difference between the two HDTV formats is barely discernible. The “p” in 720p refers to progressive scan, while the “i” in 1080 refers to interlaced. Progressive scans draw every frame in a single pass, while interlaced scanning draws the picture in two passes: one for odd-numbered lines and one for even numbered. Though 1080i provides a higher number of resolution lines, the progressive scan of the 720 format provides what some have called a smoother picture.
