The Plasma TV Blog

1080P is a shorthand name for a type of video mode. It is sometimes called “The True High Definition” or “Full High Definition” as it is the video mode that is used in filming of digital motion pictures. The name comes from the fact that there is frame resolution of 1920 x 1080. This mode is most often used with a 16:9 aspect ratio which calculates out to somewhere around 2.07 million pixels. The 1080 refers to the number of lines of vertical resolution, and the letter P refers to progressive scan, or as it is sometimes called non-interlaced.

The reason some refer to progressive scan as being non-interlaced is that the interlaced mode was the standard on television prior to the advent of digital technology. It is still used on some models. It is important to note that some units that use fixed pixels such as DLP and LCD models basically transform an incoming interlaced mode into progressive mode anyway. In short, 1080P means the highest level of picture clarity available today.