720p vs. 1080i vs. 1080p

When it comes to HDTV, more is better

By
Matthew Torres
Matthew Torres
Writer
  • Texas State University-San Marcos
Former Lifewire writer Matthew Torres is a journalist who writes about television technology, consumer support articles, and TV-related news.
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Updated on April 21, 2021
Reviewed by
Lisa Mildon
Lisa Mildon
Reviewed by Lisa Mildon
  • Southern New Hampshire University
Lisa Mildon is a Lifewire writer and an IT professional with 30 years of experience. Her writing has appeared in Geekisphere and other publications.
lifewire's editorial guidelines

Many people have moved away from standard-definition analog TV in favor of high-definition (HD), which refers to resolutions of 720p, 1080i, and 1080p. HDTVs offer a 16:9 aspect ratio, similar to a movie theater screen. These TVs are available with higher-resolution screens, providing more clarity, color, and detail.

A 720p display and a 1080p display

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Resolution is HDTV's biggest selling point. We compared 720p, 1080i, and 1080p to help you make the best choice for your TV viewing pleasure.

The 1080p standard has all but replaced 1080i. You can still find TVs with 1080i screens, but these are less common. Likewise, 4K resolution and UHD have started to replace HD, though you can still find plenty of HDTVs on the market.

Overall Findings

720p 1080i 1080p
1280 pixels x 720 pixels 1920 pixels x 1080 lines 1920 x 1080 pixels
Progressive scan: Draws all pixels at once. Interlaced: Split into two groups of 540 lines each. Progressive scan: Draws all pixels at once.

The three HDTV resolutions are 720p, 1080i, and 1080p. The number stands for the number of horizontal lines that create the image. The letter describes the type of scan used by the TV to display the picture: progressive or interlaced.

Resolution matters because more lines mean a better picture. This is a similar concept to digital photos and how dots-per-inch determines print quality.

1080i and 1080p are higher resolutions than 720, but the two are not the same. You might want to consider 1080p because of the more efficient way it projects images onto the screen.

Screen Resolution: Bigger Is Better

720p 1080i 1080p
720 horizontal lines 1080 horizontal lines 1080 horizontal lines
Progressive scan Interlaced scan Progressive scan

In general, the higher the resolution of a TV, the sharper the picture, and the higher the price tag.

720p has an image resolution of 1280 pixels by 720 lines. It was the first available HDTV resolution. It is no longer as common since prices have come down on 1080 models. By comparison, a 720p TV has twice the resolution of an analog TV picture.

1080i has a resolution of 1920 pixels by 1080 horizontal lines. However, it is interlaced, meaning the lines are painted on the screen in two passes of 540 lines each. The picture quality is sufficient for slow-moving content but not as desirable for fast-moving objects. 1080i was once the standard for HDTVs. That's no longer the case. Its quality isn't much better than a 720p TV.

1080p has a resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels. It's a progressive scan display rather than interlaced. That means each row is scanned in a sequential rather than alternate order, providing a picture with a full 2.07 million pixels. This is currently the top-selling HDTV format, and it provides the best picture of the three models mentioned here.

4K resolution, which is quickly becoming the standard, has four times the pixel resolution, or twice the line resolution (2160p), of 1080p.

Price: You Get What You Pay For

720p 1080i 1080p
More affordable. More expensive. Most expensive.

The price of a high-definition TV varies somewhat. It depends on many factors, including brand, features, and display technology. The type of display is one part of the hardware. Other factors that contribute to the price include display size, availability of smart features, and screen type (LCD or LED).

In general, 720 screens are cheaper than 1080 screens. Within the 1080 tier, progressive-scan displays are more expensive than interlaced. However, depending on other factors, these comparisons may not always be the case.

Final Verdict

Assuming all three of these TV formats are in your price range—and a 4K TV isn't—1080p TV is the best choice. The 720p and 1080i models rely on old technology that is gradually giving way to higher-resolution options. A 1080p device offers the best resolution and viewing experience. However, for TVs that are 32 inches or smaller, you won't see much difference between pictures on 1080p and 720p displays.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is 720p, and what does it mean? The 720p format is also called widescreen HDTV. The 720 indicates the number of horizontal scan lines displayed in the image, and the p stands for progressive scan. The 720p format has an aspect ratio of 16:9.
  • How many hours of 720p video can 32 GB hold? The number of hours of 720p video can vary depending on several factors, including the video compression, the camera's bitrate, and the video's frame rate. On average, a 32 GB memory card will hold between 3 and 5 hours of 720p video.
  • How many pixels is 720p? The 720p format has a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels. To find the total number of pixels, multiply 1280 by 720. The answer is 921,600 pixels (which is less than one megapixel).
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