1080p is a video display format, where the foreign-language letter "P" stands for Progressive scanning.
It is the highest-level digital television format standard established by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), with an effective display resolution of 1920×1080. SMPTE categorizes digital high-definition signals into three main types based on their scanning methods: 1080P, 1080I, and 720P (where "I" stands for interlaced, and "P" denotes progressive). Among these, 1080P represents a display format that achieves a 1920×1080 resolution using progressive scan technology. This format perfectly blends digital television and computer-based technologies.
Introduction
1080p is a video display format where the letter "P" stands for Progressive scan, distinguishing it from 1080i, which uses Interlaced scan. The number "1080" indicates that there are 1080 horizontal scan lines in the vertical direction. Typically, a 1080p image has a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels.
Frame rates are typically 25, which can be indicated after the "p," such as 1080p25, meaning there are 25 frames per second. Common frame rates also include 24, 30, and 60. It’s important to note that not all HDMI connections automatically deliver 1080p output—just because a device supports 1920×1080 doesn’t necessarily mean it’s capable of producing a true 1080p signal. Instead, any display with more than 1080 horizontal scan lines can technically qualify as 1080p. Meanwhile, while Full HD defines the standard for both vertical and horizontal scanning pixels, 1080p specifically refers only to the number of vertical pixels (which corresponds directly to the horizontal scan lines), leaving horizontal pixel count somewhat flexible under this definition.
Application
Projector
The 1080P projector is a product aimed at the home market, and its high price certainly reflects its premium positioning. Although full-HD projectors have seen a significant drop in cost, they still remain relatively expensive compared to other consumer electronics.
Market 1080P HD projectors can generally be divided into three tiers: high-end, mid-range, and entry-level. Entry-level models are primarily aimed at beginners, with most priced around 20,000 yuan. In terms of performance, they fully meet the needs for watching various HD videos. These projectors also feature a more simplified setup process, designed specifically to help novice users quickly get their devices up and running. However, they typically don’t offer exceptionally high contrast ratios, resulting in an overall picture quality that’s fairly average. Mid-range projectors cater to users who already have some familiarity with projectors and enjoy a bit more budget flexibility. Priced around 30,000 yuan on average, these models deliver significantly better projection performance, with notable improvements in contrast—crucial for creating a cinema-like experience. Additionally, their adjustment features are more advanced and professional, often including a range of premium accessories and functions aimed at enhancing the overall viewing experience. Finally, the high-end segment targets serious enthusiasts and audiophiles, where both price and performance represent the pinnacle of what’s available—truly flagship-level offerings designed for those seeking the ultimate in visual and auditory immersion.
Mobile phone
Mobile phone display resolutions have already entered the 1080p era, with major brands across the iOS, Android, and WP ecosystems launching their latest flagship models that all support a 1920x1080 resolution.
Display monitor
With the advancement of graphics card technology and LCD panel manufacturing techniques, by the end of 2009, more and more manufacturers began incorporating 1080P technology into computer monitors such as laptops and LCD displays. In 2010, 22-inch and even 24-inch LCD monitors started dominating the market, achieving resolutions that met the standard 1920×1080 benchmark. As a result, some people hailed 2010 as the "year when 1080P truly became mainstream."
1080P HD video
Among the wide range of LCD display products, leading international manufacturers have begun promoting high-quality entertainment experiences—such as 1080P HD movies and immersive gaming—to consumers. As a result, HDMI interfaces have started to become standard features in computer LCD monitors by 2010.
Technical differences
Television
Television picture clarity is measured in terms of horizontal resolution. Simply put, imagine dividing the image on your TV into countless horizontal scan lines—-the finer the division, the sharper the picture will appear. Consequently, the higher the number of these horizontal lines, the greater the overall resolution. The unit of resolution is called "TV Line," or simply "line." Conceptually, this means that if you were to stand up each individual horizontal scan line and lay them side by side, their combined total would correspond to the width-to-height ratio—either 4:3 or 16:9—giving you the total number of horizontal lines in the image.
Here are several common TV scanning formats:
D1 is in 480i format, matching the clarity of NTSC analog television—525 vertical scan lines, with 480 visible vertical lines, aspect ratios of 4:3 or 16:9, interlaced/60Hz, and a line frequency of 15.25 kHz.
D2 is in 480P format, identical to the progressive-scan DVD specification: 525 vertical scan lines, with 480 visible vertical scan lines in a 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratio. It features a resolution of 640×480, operates at 60Hz with progressive scanning, and has a line frequency of 31.5 kHz.
D3 is in 1080i format, a standard digital television display mode featuring 1,125 vertical scan lines, with 1,080 visible vertical scan lines in a 16:9 aspect ratio. It delivers a resolution of 1920×1080, with interlaced scanning at 60 Hz and a line frequency of 33.75 kHz.
D4 is in 720p format, a standard digital television display mode featuring 750 vertical scan lines, with 720 visible vertical scan lines in a 16:9 aspect ratio. It delivers a resolution of 1280×720, with progressive scanning at 60 Hz and a line frequency of 45 kHz.
D5 is in 1080p format, a standard digital television display mode featuring 1,125 vertical scan lines, with 1,080 visible vertical scan lines in a 16:9 aspect ratio. It delivers a resolution of 1920×1080 progressive scan—perfect for professional applications.
Additionally, there’s 576i, the standard PAL television display format—featuring 625 vertical scan lines, with 576 visible lines—available in 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratios, delivered via interlaced scanning at 50 Hz. It’s commonly referred to as 576i or 625i.
The "i" in the standards above stands for interlaced, while "P" denotes progressive scanning. HDTV is a high-quality video signal standard that includes formats such as 1080i, 720p, and 1080p. This means that D3, D4, and D5 fall under the HDTV standard, and support for 480p is also generally considered to be HDTV-compatible.
It's important to note that the requirements for TV processing capabilities (such as bandwidth) follow this hierarchy: 480i < 480p < 1080i < 720p. As a result, very few TVs support component video input at 720p, but many do support 1080i—or even 1080i Ready models.
High-definition television
Digital high-definition television formats—720P, 1080i, and 1080P—are standardized by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers in the U.S. Among these, 1080p is widely recognized as the display format for digital TVs, offering a resolution of 1920×1080 when using progressive scanning. Historically, only displays larger than 60 inches were capable of rendering a 1920×1080 signal. However, today’s so-called "1080P" HD digital TVs on the market don’t actually deliver true 1920×1080 images to consumers—they merely support the reception and processing of 1920×1080 signals. Since cable TV signals rarely meet such high standards, 1080P offers little practical value to most users, serving mostly as a marketing gimmick employed by manufacturers to attract attention.
As more and more HDTV programs become available for online download, coupled with the launch of Kmplayer software and the addition of HD playback features in PowerDVD and WinDV, HDTV players are finally gaining traction in the market—and HDTV is getting closer and closer to our everyday lives. Meanwhile, many people are starting to familiarize themselves with the world of HDTV.
When HDTV is mentioned, many people assume it’s simple—just 720p or 1080i, with 1080p being the most advanced option. But in reality, most aren’t fully aware that there’s no real difference between 1080i and 1080p when it comes to flat-panel TVs. Fewer still realize that 720p isn’t even a standard used by most TV networks worldwide—only a handful of U.S. broadcasters rely on it. Unfortunately, many misconceptions about high-definition technology have spread by word of mouth, leading to widespread misunderstandings—even about the very definitions of 720p, 1080i, and 1080p. So let’s dive deeper into the origins of these terms, debunk some common myths about HD, and finally uncover what high definition truly means.
Understanding HD starts with interlaced and progressive scanning: In 720p and 1080i, the "i" stands for "interlace," referring to interlaced scanning, while the "p" stands for "Progressive," representing progressive scanning. To fully grasp these terms, it’s helpful to start with traditional CRT televisions—after all, the way analog CRT TVs work is by using an electron beam to scan the screen line by line, causing the phosphors to light up and form an image.
During transmission, television signals can only carry interlaced video due to bandwidth limitations, helping to conserve bandwidth.
Take the NTSC television as an example: during operation, a single 525-line image is divided into two fields for scanning. The first field, known as the odd field, scans only the odd-numbered lines (1, 3, 5, and so on), while the second field (the even field) scans just the even-numbered lines (2, 4, 6, and so forth). Together, these two fields complete the scanning of all lines that make up the original frame. Because the human eye exhibits the phenomenon of visual persistence, the image appears as a seamless, complete picture to our eyes—this is how interlaced scanning works. NTSC-standard programs feature 525 scan lines and deliver 60 frames per second, typically denoted as 60i or 525i. In contrast, when scanning occurs sequentially line by line, it’s referred to as 60P or 525p.
PAL-format programs feature 625 lines and 50 frames per second, denoted as 50i or 625i; when displayed on a progressive basis, they’re referred to as 50p or 625p. Remember, this applies specifically to CRT televisions.
The method described above not only represents the scanning format of CRT TVs but also corresponds to the format of images captured by camcorders. Since early television systems all used interlaced scanning, cameras designed for NTSC and PAL TV broadcasts were inherently interlaced as well. In other words, any program shot by a TV camcorder—whether in NTSC or PAL format—will always output an interlaced signal, represented as 525/60i for NTSC and 625/50i for PAL. This applies specifically to television camcorders.
For analog TV images, which are represented by scan lines, PAL is denoted as 625/50i, while NTSC is 525/60i. In contrast, digital signals are described using pixels or resolution metrics. For instance, a PAL-format program has a resolution of 720×576; when displayed progressively, it’s labeled as 576p, and interlaced as 576i. Meanwhile, an NTSC program boasts a resolution of 720×480—progressive displays are referred to as 480p, while interlaced versions are 480i. Keep in mind, though, that these specifications apply specifically to TV images.
Relevant Notes
In the process of digitalization, standardizing digital signals is one of the most critical steps. From the perspective of consumer benefits, a particularly intuitive parameter is picture clarity. The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) categorizes different types of digital high-definition TV scan lines into three main formats: 1080p, 1080i, and 720p. (Here, "i" stands for interlaced, while "p" denotes progressive.) To fully understand 1080p, it’s essential to first clarify the distinctions between 1080i and 720p. Both 1080i and 720p are internationally recognized standards for digital high-definition television. Originally, NTSC countries adopted the 1080i/60Hz format, matching the field frequency of traditional NTSC analog TVs. In contrast, countries like Europe and China—formerly using the PAL system—implemented the 1080i/50Hz mode, aligning with the field frequency of their respective PAL analog televisions. Meanwhile, 720p has gained traction as an optional standard, largely due to the deep involvement of IT manufacturers in the TV industry, and is now increasingly being embraced in HDTV players that rely on optical disc media.
Take the Japanese digital television standard as an example—depending on the display format, it is divided into the following 5 specifications:
D1
It is in 480i format, offering the same clarity as NTSC analog television—525 horizontal scan lines, with 480 visible horizontal lines, in either a 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratio, interlaced at 60 Hz, with a line frequency of 15.75 kHz.
D2
It uses the 480P format, identical to the progressive-scan DVD standard, featuring 525 horizontal scan lines—of which 480 are visible—with an aspect ratio of 4:3 or 16:9. The resolution is 640×480, with progressive scanning at 60 Hz and a line frequency of 31.5 kHz.
D3
It is in 1080i format, a standard digital television display mode featuring 1,125 horizontal scan lines, with 1,080 visible horizontal scan lines in a 16:9 aspect ratio. The resolution is 1920×1080, with interlaced scanning at 60 Hz and a line frequency of 33.75 kHz.
D4
It uses the 720p format, which is a standard digital television display mode featuring 750 horizontal scan lines, with 720 visible horizontal scan lines in a 16:9 aspect ratio. The resolution is 1280×720, with progressive scanning at 60 Hz and a line frequency of 45 kHz.
D5
It is in 1080p format, the standard digital television display mode, featuring 1,125 horizontal scan lines—of which 1,080 are visible—with a 16:9 aspect ratio and a resolution of 1920×1080 progressive scan. This is a professional-grade format with a line frequency of 67.5 kHz.
Additionally, there’s 576i, the standard PAL television display format—with 625 vertical scan lines, 576 of which are visible, and an aspect ratio of either 4:3 or 16:9. It uses interlaced scanning at 50 Hz, and is denoted as 576i or 625i.
Among these, 1080i from D3 serves as the standard format for high-definition television, while also being compatible with 720p playback. In contrast, the 1080p specification of D5 is designed as an advanced, professional mode, widely used in television stations and film production. Both the 1080i and 720p TV signals broadcast by television stations are actually converted from 1080p signal sources before transmission.
It’s clear that 1080p is a de facto standard, yet it isn’t the standard used in consumer applications. In fact, 1080p doesn’t come with just one field frequency—60Hz; rather, the most commonly adopted field frequencies are 24Hz, 25Hz, and 30Hz. We know that movies are traditionally projected as film at 24 frames per second. When digital footage is captured at 1080p/24Hz, it can be transmitted losslessly to digital cinema projectors like DLP or D-ILA, allowing the content to be played back exactly as intended—true to its cinematic format. Thus, 1080p/24Hz is essentially tailored for movie production. On the other hand, if high-definition content is shot using the 1080p/25Hz format, each full 1080p frame can easily be split into two interlaced 1080i fields. This effectively transforms the 1080p/25Hz signal into a 1080i/50Hz image, making it perfectly compatible with HD digital TV systems in countries originally using the PAL standard, such as Europe and China. Similarly, when shooting at 1080p/30Hz, the footage can effortlessly be converted into 1080i/60Hz after production, ensuring seamless integration with HD digital TV formats in regions like the U.S., which follows the NTSC standard, and Japan, where the ISDB system is employed.
Overview
"Alright, I’ve said quite a bit here—some of it almost sounds like a tongue twister, and admittedly, it might feel a bit repetitive. But understanding the concepts of HD 720p, 1080i, and 1080p is absolutely essential. When it comes to high definition, grasping these distinctions requires looking at three key areas: televisions, camcorders, and image formats. After all, TVs, camcorders, and image formats are distinct yet interconnected concepts in their own right."
High-definition formats vary widely: High-definition television, also known as HDTV, is defined by the CCIR International Radio Consultative Committee as having an aspect ratio of 16:9. When viewed from a distance three times the screen’s height, the image should appear seamless and nearly indistinguishable from real-life objects. Meanwhile, according to the ITU International Telecommunication Union, HDTV offers roughly twice the resolution—both horizontally and vertically—compared to conventional TV sets, with an aspect ratio of 16:9. Subjectively, the image quality aligns closely with that of interlaced-scan HDTV studio standards. In terms of image formats, while a few individual U.S. broadcasters have adopted 1280×720 as the HDTV standard, most countries worldwide—including China, Europe, Australia, Japan, and South Korea—as well as emerging high-definition disc formats like HD DVD and Blu-ray, have standardized on a resolution of 1920×1080. Notably, no country outside the U.S. has embraced the 1280×720 standard yet. This still leaves unanswered the question of how the concepts of 720p, 1080i, and 1080p came into being. Readers, please don’t rush—take your time and keep reading. When people hear “high definition,” they often immediately think of flat-panel TVs like LCD or plasma displays. However, the development of HDTV standards actually dates back much earlier, to the 1980s in the U.S., with the official U.S. HDTV standard finalized in the 1990s—more than two decades ago. At that time, flat-panel TVs hadn’t even entered the market yet. As a result, the terminology we use today—such as 720p, 1080i, and 1080p—carries a strong legacy rooted in CRT technology.
However, CRTs have been phased out, replaced entirely by flat-panel TVs. Both LCD and plasma TVs are considered fixed-pixel display devices—meaning they don’t require scanning to produce an image, and each pixel essentially lights up simultaneously. If we were to draw a parallel with interlaced versus progressive scanning, it’s fair to say that most LCD and plasma TVs actually use progressive scanning. But does this mean that the 720p, 1080i, and 1080p formats can now be discarded? The answer is no, because there’s still one crucial factor to consider: the format used by cameras.
From a camera perspective, while HD cameras are digital, their scanning method is inherited from analog cameras. Traditional analog cameras exclusively used interlaced scanning, whereas HD cameras not only retain the interlaced format but also introduce progressive scanning as an additional option.
High-definition cameras not only retain the distinction between interlaced and progressive scanning but also preserve the differences between the PAL system's 50Hz frequency and the NTSC system's 60Hz frequency. Although HD no longer strictly differentiates between PAL and NTSC, regions like the U.S., Japan, and South Korea—historically NTSC territories—still maintain the 60Hz frequency system, while countries such as China, Australia, and Europe continue to use the 50Hz system. Since HD programs are entirely digital signals, they can be described simply by their resolution. When shooting HDTV content, cameras typically offer two scanning modes: interlaced and progressive, each with distinct frame rates (the number of progressive frames displayed per second) or field rates (the number of interlaced fields shown per second).
1280×720 offers five frame rates: 60P, 50P, 30P, 25P, and 24P. These can be abbreviated as 720P, with specific designations such as 720/60P (used by ABC in the U.S.), 720/50P, 720/30P, 720/24P (adopted by FOX), and 720/25P. Notably, the 720/50P and 720/25P formats were not originally part of the standard—instead, they emerged later when Germany was considering its high-definition image standards. Given Germany’s historical preference for the 50Hz system, some manufacturers introduced cameras supporting these frame rates. However, to date, no country has officially adopted this particular standard; it remains largely a topic of discussion rather than a widely implemented choice.
The situation becomes even more complex with 1920×1080 resolution: interlaced formats are labeled as 1080i, while progressive formats are designated as 1080P. In the U.S. and Japan, where the field rate is 60 Hz, it’s represented as 1080/60i; meanwhile, in China, Europe, and Australia, it’s 1080/50i—both of these formats are commonly referred to as 1080i. But that’s not the end of it. To streamline the production and distribution of high-definition content worldwide, a unified standard of 1080/24P has been adopted. This standard has also become the benchmark for digital cinema cameras. Notably, the acclaimed "Star Wars Prequel" trilogy was filmed using 1080/24P cameras, and many popular HD TV series, such as "Da Zhai Men," were shot in 1080/24P as well—often simply referred to as 1080P.
However, this still doesn’t capture the full potential of 1080P. In fact, for flat-panel TVs, the distinction between 1080i and 1080P can practically be considered nonexistent, thanks to the rapid advancements in image-processing circuitry. Today’s processors are incredibly fast, boasting both high-speed performance and robust processing capabilities—all equipped with upscaling technology. This so-called upscaling technology takes the interlaced 1080i signal and converts it into a progressive 1080P format, seamlessly transforming 1080/50i into 1080/50P and 1080/60i into 1080/60P. Even 1080/24P content can be effortlessly upscaled to either 1080/50P or 1080/60P. Moreover, every modern flat-panel TV comes with such advanced circuitry, ensuring that even mid-to-high-end models deliver excellent picture quality.
The debate over HD flat-panel TVs is even more complex: at this point, we haven’t yet addressed the issue of TV formats. When it comes to TV formats, things get even trickier—LCD and plasma TVs vary significantly in resolution, and different countries and regions have differing opinions on what exactly constitutes "high definition" for LCD and plasma displays, depending on how high the resolution needs to be.
The U.S. Consumer Electronics Association (ECA) and the European Information and Communications Technology Alliance (EICTA) stipulate that high-definition TV resolutions must meet or exceed 1280×720. According to the national HD standard released by China’s Ministry of Information Industry, high-definition flat-panel TVs are required to achieve a resolution of at least 1280×720. In other words, if an LCD or plasma TV fails to reach 1280×720 resolution, it can no longer be classified as an HDTV.
While LCD TVs easily meet all resolution standards, plasma displays present a much more complex situation. For instance, a 42-inch plasma TV offers four different resolutions: 852×480, 1024×768, 1024×1024, and 1024×1080—none of which comply with the national high-definition standards. Only the 50-inch plasma model manages to meet these HD requirements. What makes things even trickier is that the 1024×1024 and 1024×1080 plasma models don’t use progressive scanning; instead, they alternate between interlaced fields. This is precisely why it’s often stated that "LCD and most plasma TVs are technically capable of progressive scanning." However, this detail isn’t something you need to worry about—after all, even with interlaced display, the viewing experience remains unaffected.
In flat-panel TVs—especially some plasma models that don’t meet the national high-definition standards—advertising materials still claim they deliver 1080P resolution. However, this "1080P" refers to a different concept than the one we discussed earlier. Take Panasonic’s 42PA60C as an example: while its physical resolution is only 852x480—a far cry from the 1920x1080 required for true HD—it can still receive 1920x1080i signals and upscale them to 1920x1080P format. Yet, since the 42PA60C’s native resolution of 852x480 isn’t sufficient to fully display all 1920x1080 pixels, the TV first downscales the high-definition image to its own 852x480 resolution before outputting it. As a result, even though it’s labeled as "1080P," this display method doesn’t qualify as true high definition; instead, it’s more accurately described as "1080P-compatible."