720p or 1080i?

gazzae · 31-01-2007, 11:09

Hi,

I was speaking with a guy in work about the 360. He was saying that it should be set to 720p rather than 1080i as 1080i is best for still images whereas 720p is best for moving images.

I currently have mine connected at 1080i and think it looks great. What does everyone else have theres connected using?

Gareth

TheBlueRaja · 31-01-2007, 11:23

What TV do you have?

1080i is what i set it to as it appears sharper and i cant tell the difference between panning scenes in terms of smoothness.

Try it.

gazzae · 31-01-2007, 11:37

I have a Sharp Aquos can't remember the model.

Will give it a shot later tonight. Whats the difference between P and I?

**Hugh** · 31-01-2007, 11:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by gazzae

I have a Sharp Aquos can't remember the model.

Will give it a shot later tonight. Whats the difference between P and I?

From CNET.COM

1080i - 1080 interlaced; one of two formats designated as high-definition television in the ATSC DTV standard, with 1,080 vertical pixels by 1,920 horizontal pixels. The i stands for interlaced, as opposed to progressive scanning, used in the second HDTV standard, 720p. Contrary to myth, 1080i is not superior to 720p; 1080i has more scanning lines but also suffers the disadvantages of interlaced scanning.
720p - 720 progressive. One of two currently used formats designated as high-definition television in the ATSC DTV standard, this technology comprises 720 vertical pixels and 1,280 horizontal pixels. The p stands for progressive, as opposed to interlaced, scanning, which is used in the other accepted HDTV standard, known as 1080i. Contrary to myth, 720p is not inferior to 1080i; 720p has fewer lines but also has the advantages of progressive scanning and a constant vertical resolution of 720 lines, making it better able to handle motion

http://techdigs.net/content/view/53/42/
Progressive scan means the lines that make up the TV picture are displayed all at once in sequence. HDTVs are capable of at least 1280x720p ('p' for progressive scan). While they can also accept an interlaced signal, they natively display progressive scan video.

Progressive scan DVD players are capable of 720x480p, and the newer upscaling DVD players and high def DVD players are capable of up to 1080p depending on the model (see the TechDigs.net article Want Better DVD Movies? Buy an Upconverting Player!).
Without getting into the gory details, the interlaced method was originally used because CRT technology in early TVs wasn't fast enough to keep up with a progressive scan of approximately 480 lines. It could, however, keep up with 240 lines. Therefore, standard U.S. TV broadcasts first send the even 240 lines, and then the odd 240 lines.
The problem with interlacing technology is this alternating line drawing tends to cause the eyes to see a flicker. Unfortunately, interlacing reared its ugly head again in the 1990s when established HDTV standards included both 720p and 1080i options. Some broadcast networks use 1280x720p (720 lines progressively displayed) and some use 1920x1080i (540 even lines drawn, then 540 odd lines drawn). As of 2006, no U.S. broadcast network uses 1080p, or 'full HD' (1920x1080p).

The problem with 1080i is that despite having more total lines, it generally doesn't look as good as 720p. This is especially true for high-motion video such as sports. If you have a large (over 46") HDTV hooked up properly and want to see an example of this, watch a punt return on HDTV NBC Sunday Night Football, and then watch a punt return on HDTV Monday Night ESPN Football. The difference is significant. With far less aliasing (visible chunky pixels), ESPN's 1280x720p looks substantially better than NBC's 1920x1080i. While some of this may be due to the compression used by NBC or the cable outlet, most of it is due to interlacing.

TheBlueRaja · 31-01-2007, 13:02

However 1080i looks sharper and more vibrant on my telly via my Xbox 360.

Wicked_and_Crazy · 31-01-2007, 13:47

1080 will look sharper as its higher resolution. If the refresh rate is high enough i wouldnt expect the eye to be able to tell its interlaced

johnnyposs · 31-01-2007, 22:26

1080p

Tezcatlipoca · 31-01-2007, 22:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by gazzae

I currently have mine connected at 1080i and think it looks great. What does everyone else have theres connected using?

I initially used component for my 360, with it set to 720p.

I now use VGA, with it set to 1360*768.

Both look great.

Never bothered trying 1080i when I used component, tbh.

TV is a Samsung LE26R73BDX.

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnyposs

1080p

Nice!

What TV?

johnnyposs · 31-01-2007, 22:41

Damn caught out, i have a samsung LE32R74BDX set at 1080i for my xbox and it is better than 720p for my eyes.

LostintheNW · 01-05-2007, 18:52

OK i have finally got a HD tv, but am wondering what is the best tv format to set the 360 at....is 1080i the one to be on or 720p!

I currently have it at the 1080i setting in pal60

any help would be muchly appreciated

Derek · 01-05-2007, 18:54

I've always found 720p to look better than 1080i. Not much but just a little sharper.

Tezcatlipoca · 01-05-2007, 20:39

What make/model is the TV?

What's the native resolution?

Personally, I'd go for 720p.

The native resolution of most HDTVs is 720p (well, actually normally 1366x768, but 720p is the closest you can get via component)... you generally need to have a pretty big one for it to be native 1080i or 1080p.

Xbox360 games are all 720p AFAIK.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/720p#720p_versus_1080i

LostintheNW · 01-05-2007, 21:47

TV i have is the Samsung LE32R88BD pass on the native stuff as only just got it and no idea how to work it properly lol!

Tezcatlipoca · 01-05-2007, 22:14

Ooh, Sammy R88

AFAIK, the R8 range is the successor to the R7 range (I've got a 26" R73). Main difference, I think, is that the R8s have 2 or 3 HDMI sockets, compared to the single HDMI I have on my R7.

Definitely has the same native resolution as the R7s - 1366x768 pixels.

If using component to connect the 360, the closest optimum res. would be 720p.

If using VGA, the closest optimum res. would be 1360*768.

I'd still go with 720p, rather than 1080i, as 360 games are at 720p & the TV itself is best at 720p.

But it's all down to personal preference... some people think 720p looks better, others think 1080i looks better. Try both & see

LostintheNW · 01-05-2007, 22:41

Yeah i was told the R88 is the newer one, its slightly thinner than that model as well, and does have 3HDMI connections...i am connecting it via component, and its on 720p now...i did have it on 1080i last nite when i was playing gears, it looked fantastic but wasnt so sure when things were flying around...will have to have another look and see which i likes more