480i

480i

A diagram illustrating the resolution of 480i 480i is a video resolution standard that refers to the display of images on a television screen or computer monitor. The "480" in 480i represents the number of horizontal lines that are displayed vertically, while the "i" stands for "interlaced." This resolution is commonly used in analog television systems and older video game consoles.

Technical Details

In 480i, the image is composed of 480 horizontal lines, with each line containing 640 pixels. However, due to the interlaced nature of the standard, the image is displayed in two fields. The first field displays the odd-numbered lines, while the second field displays the even-numbered lines. These fields are then displayed in rapid succession, creating the illusion of a complete image.

The interlaced nature of 480i has both advantages and disadvantages. One advantage is that it allows for smoother motion in video content, as each field is displayed at a faster rate than a progressive scan image. However, this interlacing can also result in visible scan lines and reduced image clarity, especially when viewed on larger screens.

Usage

480i was widely used in analog television systems, such as NTSC (National Television System Committee) in North America and PAL (Phase Alternating Line) in Europe. It was the standard resolution for standard-definition television (SDTV) broadcasts before the transition to digital television.

Additionally, many older video game consoles, such as the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and the Sega Genesis, utilized 480i as their native resolution. This resolution was suitable for the graphical capabilities of these consoles and provided a satisfactory gaming experience at the time.

Impact of Digital Technology

With the advent of digital technology and the transition to high-definition television (HDTV), the usage of 480i has significantly decreased. Digital television standards, such as ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee) in North America and DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting) in Europe, primarily focus on higher resolutions, such as 720p and 1080i/p.

However, despite its decreasing popularity, 480i still has relevance in certain contexts. Some older television shows, movies, and video games are still distributed in their original 480i format. Additionally, some modern devices, such as DVD players and older gaming consoles, are capable of upscaling 480i content to higher resolutions for compatibility with newer displays.

See Also

• Analog television
• Standard-definition television
• Interlaced video
• High-definition television