| First, we all watched NTSC video at 480i, and we liked | | | | 1080/60i and 1080/30p. The advantage of 1080p over |
| it, because we knew no better. Then some | | | | 1080i is that, like a computer monitor, a 1080p display |
| intrepid(and well off) home theater enthusiasts were | | | | will show all 1080 lines with every video field, whereas |
| lucky enough to enjoy 480p, thanks to the Faroudja | | | | a 1080i device will only show ½ at a time. Digital |
| LD-100 line doubler or Runco IDTV set ups. Because | | | | displays require progressive video, so any 1080i |
| the Faroudja units cost $20,000.00 in the early '90's, | | | | program material is deinterlaced inside the set, |
| and only worked with data or graphics grade | | | | converting it to 1080p. Up until the advent of 1080p |
| projectors, they were not exactly mass market. As | | | | displays, it was also down converted to the native |
| technology improved, prices decreased, and more | | | | resolution of the imaging chip or flat panel. |
| people could enjoy progressive scan video in their | | | | One caveat at this point, amazingly enough, many of |
| home theaters. | | | | the first generation 1080p TVs do not accept a 1080p |
| Fast forward 15 years or so. Now you can get a DVD | | | | input. Huh?? You read that correctly. It's true, of the |
| player with Faroudja progressive scan technology on | | | | first 1080p sets introduced, only the HP units will |
| a chip for under $200.00. Just about every TV and | | | | actually accept a 1080p input. The Mitsubishi will accept |
| projector you can buy takes progressive scan video. | | | | 1080p, but only through its computer input. Most of the |
| Indeed, digital TVs and home theater projectors will | | | | flat panel displays don't seem to have this limitation and |
| convert video to progressive scan, because they | | | | will accept 1080p. |
| require progressive scan video at the sets native | | | | At this point in time, there is no commercially available |
| resolution to function. If the video is not in the proper | | | | 1080p program material, with the exception of some |
| format, it will be converted inside the set. Most DLP or | | | | Microsoft Windows Media HD discs. With respect to |
| LCD imaging chips used in consumer TVs and | | | | HDTV you can get 720p or 1080i, but no 1080p at this |
| projectors now have native vertical resolutions of | | | | time. Fox, ESPN and ABC broadcast in 720p. while |
| either 480, 576 or 720 lines. Most LCD and plasma | | | | CBS, NBC, TNT, the WB and HD Net all use 1080i. |
| displays have 480, 720 or 768 lines. | | | | Soon, however, Sony will release Blu-Ray Disc and |
| In the fall of 2005, manufacturers started showing the | | | | Toshiba, DH-DVD. HD-DVD and Blu-Ray Disc will have |
| latest generation of video products. Behold! 1080p! | | | | the capability to support 1080p. When the time comes, |
| Why all the fuss? Because 1080p is the top dog in | | | | you'll be able to just buy or rent a disc and enjoy |
| HDTV, that's why. It has the highest resolution of all the | | | | 1080p in all it's splendor. Good News! Netflix has |
| 18 approved HDTV formats, with 1920 x 1080 pixels. | | | | announced they will rent both Blu-Ray and HD-DVD as |
| There are two 1080 resolutions approved for HDTV, | | | | soon as they are introduced. |