720p

This chart shows the most common display resolutions, 720p shown in blue.

720p refers to a progressive HDTV signal with 720 horizontal lines and an aspect ratio (AR) of 16:9 (1.78:1). All major high definition (HD) TV broadcasting standards include a 720p format which has a resolution of 1280×720, however there are other formats, including HDV and AVCHD for camcorders, which utilize 720p images with the standard HDTV resolution. The number 720 stands for the 720 horizontal scan lines of image display resolution (also known as 720 pixels of vertical resolution), while the letter p stands for progressive scan (i.e. non-interlaced).^[1] When broadcast at 60^{[note 1]} frames per second, 720p features the highest temporal (motion) resolution possible under the ATSC and DVB standards.

720i (720 lines interlaced) is an erroneous term found in numerous sources and publications. Typically, it is a typographical error in which the author is referring to the 720p HDTV format. However, in some cases it is incorrectly presented as an actual alternative format to 720p.^[3] In fact, no proposed or existing broadcast standard permits 720 interlaced lines in a video frame at any frame rate.^[4] 720i can also refer to technology in which only half the lines are shown each scan.

Comparison with 1080i

Progressive scanning reduces the need to prevent twitter (flicker) by anti-aliasing single high contrast horizontal lines.^[5][6] It is also easier to perform high-quality 50↔60 Hz conversion and slow-motion clips with progressive video. In high-motion scenes, 720p has higher vertical resolution than 1080i (720 versus 540 lines/progressive frame), making it preferable for fast-moving sporting events (such as auto racing or basketball) and for video games.

One main advantage for 720p60 over 480i and 1080i60 (29.97/30 frame/s, 59.94/60 Hz) is the reduction of 3:2 artifacts introduced during transfer from 24 frame/s film. However, 576i and 1080i50 (25 frame/s, 50 Hz), which are common in Europe, generally do not suffer from pull down artifacts as film frames are simply played at 25 frames and the audio pitch corrected by 24/25ths. As a result, 720p60 is used for US broadcasts while European HD broadcasts often use 1080i50 (25 frame/s, 50 Hz), with a horizontal resolution of 1920 or 1440 depending on bandwidth constraints. However, some European broadcasters do use the 720p50 format, such as German broadcasters ARD and ZDF, the Flemish Broadcasting Company (VRT) in Belgium and the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK). Arte, a dual-language French-German channel produced in collaboration by ARD, ZDF and France Télévisions, broadcasts in German at 720p50 but in French at 1080i50.

See also

Television portal

• 1080p, 1080i, 576p, 480i, 240p
• High-definition television (HDTV)
• Low-definition television
• High resolution
• Plasma display

Notes

References