1080i vs 1080p: Difference and Comparison

It has been said that 1080p and 1080i are two commonly referred HD-certified displays, which render high-quality pixel images efficiently.

To put it in simple words, the letter ‘p’ refers to progressive scans, while ‘i’ refers to an interlaced scan of the display. Moreover, both are efficient in displaying 1920×1080 pixel images. 

Key Takeaways

1. 1080i displays interlaced video, while 1080p displays progressive video.
2. 1080p provides better image quality for high-speed scenes and gaming, while 1080i is better suited for slow-moving scenes.
3. 1080p is more widely used in modern displays, while 1080i is more commonly found in older displays.

1080i vs 1080p

1080i uses interlacing to display video, which means every other line is displayed in each frame, resulting in a slightly lower resolution and potential for motion blur. 1080p, considered superior to 1080i, displays every line in each frame, creating a higher resolution and sharper image quality.

A 1080i sequence uses a sequential frame resolution and scan type to give its users a ratio of 16:9 display. Both high-definition television and high-definition movies have been using 1080i for broadcast.

The horizontal line on the screen is alternately counted for odd and even lines, which gives the appearance of a very high resolution. 

However, the 1080p display resolution displays 1920×1080 pixels. This combination of 1920 horizontal pixels and 1080 vertical pixels makes up a 1080p display screen.

In addition, it is used in high-definition because of its non-interlaced display. The letter p in 1080p cites to progressive scan, meaning it displays non-interlaced text and graphics. 

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	1080p	1080i
Meaning	1080 progressively scan display pixels format that forms a non-interlaced display by 1920 pixels displays horizontally and 1080 pixels screen vertically.	1080 interlaced scan display pixels format that forms an interlaced display by 1920 pixels horizontally and 540 pixels screen vertically.
Etymology	In April 2004, 1080p was installed for a Television production.	In the early 1990s, Charles Poynton originated 1080 lines and named them square pixels.
Screen ration	1920×1080 pixels, i.e, 16:9 screen aspect ratio.	1080i covers the screen aspect around 16:9 i.e, 1920×540 pixels.
Support	Many electronics employ 1080p as a common display resolution on PC monitors, gaming laptops, TVs broadcasting, Blu-ray discs, smartphones, projectors, and Cameras.	1080i is highly used in cable broadcasts, satellites, and HD channels for high-quality video format.
Known as	1080p is also called Full HD or Full High Definition.	1080i is known as square pixels display.

What is 1080i?

The trendsetting 1080i is a specification of Full HD display, where frame resolution and scan type are equally distributed on the screen.

It is understood as an interlaced display with odd and even horizontal lines alternately distributed on the screen.  HD video formats use square pixels, which is also referred to as 1080i. 

The motion phases of 1080i can be captured in fifty to sixty fields per second. Moreover, the majority of HD channels on satellite and cable broadcasts employ 1080i, which illustrates a natural and lucid image. 

In the following years, it turned out to be one of the most popular things among high-definition televisions and videos ever launched by Charles Poynton in 1992.

Charles Poynton developed the first 1080 lines in the early 1990s and dubbed them “square pixels”, now popularly known as 1080i. 

Therefore, the horizontal lines of pixels are captured and displayed with a vertical gap of one line between each, ultimately forming an interlaced image of all 1080i lines. 

The widescreen ratio of 1080i technology is 16:9, with 540 vertically inclined lines underlying 1920 horizontally inclined lines, to layout an HD quality display. 

What is 1080p?

The 1080p is less commonly known as Full HD or FHD. On the other hand, this technology measures 1920 pixels on the horizontal and 1080 pixels on the vertical to provide a high-resolution display. 

According to a survey, viewers are offered the best viewing experience and resolution with 1080p devices.  A total of 2 megapixels 1080p screen is obtained by simultaneously incorporating 1920 pixels width and 1080 pixels height. 

In order to compare a 1080p screen with a 720p screen, it is evident that the widescreen aspect ratio of 1080p is 16:9. It was discovered in April of 2004 for a Television production instalment.

Besides, images captured at 1080p are captured at approximately twenty-five to thirty frames per second. 

Furthermore, images with a resolution of 1080p are ubiquitous in the media; among them are television shows, Blu-ray Discs, smartphones, internet content, video games, camcorders, and digital cameras. 

Unlike 1080i, 1080p, a non-interlaced display, exhibits 1920 high-quality pixels horizontally and 1080 pixels vertically altogether in such a way that a 1080p Full HD display is distinguished. 

Main Differences Between 108ip and 1080p

1. 1080p (progressive scan) display pixels format, which is a non-interlaced display. Notwithstanding, 1080i (Interlaced scan) is a square pixel display, which forms an interlaced display.
2. As is the case, 1080i was first invented by Charles Poynton back in 1990. Whereas 1080p was updated in 2004 and introduced in the market for sale.
3. 1080p has 1920 pixels horizontal lines and 1080 pixels vertically display FHD, on the other hand, 1080i has a screen resolution of 1920×540 pixels display. 
4. 1080p is used as a High Definitive quality format in various electronics, including PCs, broadcasts, Blu-ray discs, Video games consoles, TVs, projectors, etc. Nevertheless, 1080i is supported in satellites for clear pictures, HD channels, and other TVs Broadcasts. 
5. 1080p is called Full High Definitive pixels display format, while 1080i is known as Square pixels display format. 

References

1. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/7991102/
2. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/6737724/