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8 Preface About High Definition and Broadcast Formats
The following table shows the HD formats in common use today.
NTSC-Compatible HD Formats
PAL-Compatible HD Formats
Film-Compatible HD Formats
Format Description
1080i60 Has high-resolution frames, is able to capture fast movement, and
has reduced vertical resolution due to interlacing.
Easily downconverts to NTSC.
1080p30 Has high-resolution frames.
Movement is less smooth but resolution is higher than interlaced
formats in areas of movement.
720p60 Captures fast-action movement with clarity. However, still frames
have lower resolution than 1080-line still frames.
Is ideal for sports videography and commercial television.
Easily downconverts to NTSC.
720p30 Is a variant of 720p60 with a lower frame rate.
Format Description
1080i50 Has high-resolution frames, is able to capture fast movement, and
has reduced vertical resolution due to interlacing.
Easily downconverts to PAL.
1080p25 Has high-resolution frames.
Movement is less smooth but resolution is higher than interlaced
formats in areas of movement.
720p50 Captures fast-action movement with clarity. However, still frames
have lower resolution than 1080-line still frames.
Is ideal for sports videography and commercial television.
Easily downconverts to PAL.
720p25 Is a variant of 720p50 with a lower data rate.
Can be slowed down to 24 fps for film transfers or downconverted
to PAL.
Format Advantages
1080p24 Has the resolution, scanning method, frame rate, and aspect ratio
closest to film.
720p24 Is the same as 1080p24, but with lower resolution.
Is ideal for a “film transferred to video” look.