The 1080p HD format, as of 2009, is the best screen technology available to domestic consumers. The number 1080 refers to the lines of resolution, and p refers to progressive scan. 1080p/24 is a broadcast standard, which means, a 1080p television can reproduce digital cinematography as it was intended by film makers.

While there is another technology, 1080i, which provides 1080 lines of resolution, it does so using interlaced video. Progressive scan builds up an image frame by displaying all one thousand and sixty resolution lines in sequence. Whereas interlaced video builds up an image frame in two processes.

As you'd assume, there are distinct advantages to building up an image in one pass. For one thing, it can provide a higher vertical rate of resolution, and with no reduction in refresh rate.

The disadvantage of 1080i, and, therefore, the advantage of 1080p, is that interlaced video produces a line jitter due to building an image frame in two stages. The two pass interlaced process can also produce eye strain for viewers. These are two issues which are not part and parcel of 1080p.

The downside to 1080p, is that many DVDs use anti-aliasing technology, which purposely produces blurring to hide the line jitter. The problem is that these DVDs do not offer an option to remove anti-aliasing for progressive scan displays.

HD channels in the UK and USA currently transmit broadcasts in 1080i. The good news for owners of 1080p televisions, is that Blu-ray discs support 1080p content, as do many video games.