720p vs. 1080i

[wilky61]

If you're viewing something with a lot of fast motion (e.g., sports or action films), you'd probably get more benefit out of 720p.

[DIGITALBATH]

Originally Posted by wilky61

If you're viewing something with a lot of fast motion (e.g., sports or action films), you'd probably get more benefit out of 720p.

This is the old adage, but on my Hitachi 42HDT79, I never once thought that while watching 1080i CBS NFL football, or NCAA Basketball. What I can tell you is that even if you use 720p, that won't prevent pixelation from the compressed TV cable signal.

Unless you're TV is terrible ALWAYS choose the higher resolution. I had my 720P/1080i TV for 3+years and PS3 games, Blu-ray, and HDTV always looked best at 1080i.

Also, on ABC they have Wheel of Fortune at 720p, yet at the same time CBC shows it at 1080i, and it looks so much better it's not even close.

[mugen302005]

Hi folks...

I certainly have no idea where to post this maybe stupid question. Is directv offering FULL HD broadcasting? I came across a site where people are simply kicking people's ass when someone tells them there is no such thing as 1080p over cable tv stations. Or isthere?

Sorry to bump in.

[blueshadow | Kosty]

Most cable and sat is 1080i60. Some VOD options are 1080p but its a lower bitrate than Blu-ray.

[RBBrittain]

Originally Posted by mugen302005

Hi folks...

I certainly have no idea where to post this maybe stupid question. Is directv offering FULL HD broadcasting? I came across a site where people are simply kicking people's ass when someone tells them there is no such thing as 1080p over cable tv stations. Or isthere?

Sorry to bump in.

IIRC, DirecTV (and Dish) only offer 1080p on VOD movies. All HD broadcasting (OTA or cable) is either 1080i or 720p.

[lobosrul]

Originally Posted by DIGITALBATH

This is the old adage, but on my Hitachi 42HDT79, I never once thought that while watching 1080i CBS NFL football, or NCAA Basketball. What I can tell you is that even if you use 720p, that won't prevent pixelation from the compressed TV cable signal.

Unless you're TV is terrible ALWAYS choose the higher resolution. I had my 720P/1080i TV for 3+years and PS3 games, Blu-ray, and HDTV always looked best at 1080i.

I think what he meant is, sports on 720p stations are better than from 1080i. Not that a 720p TV is better than a 1080i or 1080p television. Its been years since any 1080i sets have been made anyways.

This is because 720p has 60 frames per second versus 30 from 1080i. Also, and this is the MUCH larger issue, is that 720p looks better at lower bitrate MPEG-2 streams that we're typically receiving. I've still yet to see a really clean 1080i sports broadcast, theres always nasty looking blocks when the camera pans or when theres a lot of action going on.

Originally Posted by DIGITALBATH

Also, on ABC they have Wheel of Fortune at 720p, yet at the same time CBC shows it at 1080i, and it looks so much better it's not even close.

Wow you must be in a very rare market that has Wheel of Fortune on two channels (edit now I see you said CBC not CBS so you must be on the Canadian border or in Canada). I'm almost positive that Wheel of Fortune, and most other syndicated programs, are sent to the affiliates at 1080i. Your local ABC station is then converting it to 720p which leads to a big loss in quality.


I know this because for the longest time, in my market, we didn't get Entertainment Tonight in HD on our ABC (KOAT). This is because the feed is sent in 1080i, and they didn't, until recently, have the equipment to convert it. I know this because of an email from their engineer.

Also CBC is probably broadcasting at a higher bitrate than ABC.

[4K2K]

Originally Posted by lobosrul

I think what he meant is, sports on 720p stations are better than from 1080i. Not that a 720p TV is better than a 1080i or 1080p television. Its been years since any 1080i sets have been made anyways.

This is because 720p has 60 frames per second versus 30 from 1080i

But sports in 1080i are 60 fields per second - updated 60 times per second - just like 720p60 is - but 1080i has higher spatial resolution than 720p.

But I agree that at lower bitrates 720p will most likely look better - for one thing it's less pixels. But at the higher bitrates that Blu-ray is capable of, 1080i would most likely look better, assuming both used the same codec.

But 1080p60 would look better than 1080i and 720p given enough bitrate.

[lobosrul]

Originally Posted by 4K2K

But sports in 1080i are 60 fields per second - updated 60 times per second - just like 720p60 is - but 1080i has higher spatial resolution than 720p.

Yes, but only half of the frame is updated each 1/60th of a second.

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by lobosrul

Yes, but only half of the frame is updated each 1/60th of a second.

That is what he said...60 fields per second (1920x540).

[Weirded Wonder]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

That is what he said...60 fields per second (1920x540).

I thought it was, that's what she said...

[DIGITALBATH]

Originally Posted by lobosrul

I think what he meant is, sports on 720p stations are better than from 1080i. Not that a 720p TV is better than a 1080i or 1080p television. Its been years since any 1080i sets have been made anyways.

This is because 720p has 60 frames per second versus 30 from 1080i. Also, and this is the MUCH larger issue, is that 720p looks better at lower bitrate MPEG-2 streams that we're typically receiving. I've still yet to see a really clean 1080i sports broadcast, theres always nasty looking blocks when the camera pans or when theres a lot of action going on.



Wow you must be in a very rare market that has Wheel of Fortune on two channels (edit now I see you said CBC not CBS so you must be on the Canadian border or in Canada). I'm almost positive that Wheel of Fortune, and most other syndicated programs, are sent to the affiliates at 1080i. Your local ABC station is then converting it to 720p which leads to a big loss in quality.


I know this because for the longest time, in my market, we didn't get Entertainment Tonight in HD on our ABC (KOAT). This is because the feed is sent in 1080i, and they didn't, until recently, have the equipment to convert it. I know this because of an email from their engineer.

Also CBC is probably broadcasting at a higher bitrate than ABC.

You're correct, I live in Seattle, about 3.5 hours from Vancouver BC. I still stand behind my statements that the 1080i stations will look the best, sports included. 90% of the population would never notice the difference for 1.) , 2.) they're watching the game, 3.) They're drinking 4.) They're not even the right distance from the TV.

The theory always sounds better that the fast motion sports look better on 720p, what real life experience in my opinion tells a different story. But then again, I've read countless of these very 1080i vs 720p arguments, and now clearly see it for what it is.

[slick1ru2]

Originally Posted by wilky61

If you're viewing something with a lot of fast motion (e.g., sports or action films), you'd probably get more benefit out of 720p.

And that is the reason Fox was saying it is the best of the two. If you watch a baseball game the ball is an oblong blob when thrown. If you watch the same game in 720p, especially OTA where it is not compressed, it looks more like a spinning ball.

[PaulGo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-JXfyvlPh0

[slick1ru2]

Originally Posted by PaulGo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-JXfyvlPh0

Which showed the blurred ball in 1080i which is why its better to watch sports in 720p.

[PaulGo]

With today's technology progressive scan will result in a better picture for scenes which are moderate to fast moving.

[DIGITALBATH]

Really? Like soccer/futbol? I watched the world cup on my 54 inch Pansonic Plasma. ABC=720p and CBUT-1080i. From where I sit-6.83, 1080i looks much better.

[Dreemworx]

1080p (Blu Ray) best then 1080i (HD TV) then 720p.

I really do not care for 720p on my 52" Sony.

Watch Planet Earth on HDTV in 1080i and it is remarkable.