What does 1080p stands for?

1080p is a high definition video format. 1080 refers to the number of lines that make up the complete image. The "p" stands for "progressive". A progressive format builds the complete image from line 1 to line 1080.

1080i has the same number of lines but is an interlaced format. The picture is built in two passes. The first pass has all the odd numbered lines - 1, 3, 5, 7 and so on to line1079. The next pass has the even numbered lines - 2, 4, 6 through to line 1080.

Information is delivered twice as fast with 1080p compared to 1080i. Currently, broadcasters do not use 1080p which is found only on local sources such as Bluray, games consoles and computers.