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Understanding HDTV so smart. so easy.

What does the p or i after the resolution number mean?

This tells you how the HDTV scans the lines of resolution.

For example, a 1080p resolution is the best on the market. The p stands for progressive scanning, which means all 1080 lines are displayed simultaneously. The images are sharp and motions are smooth, making it ideal for sports or action movies.

Most HD programming is shown in 1080i resolution, the next best resolution. The i stands for interlaced scanning: when half of the lines are shown on one frame and the other half are shown on a second frame.
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