progressive scan... interlacing ???

[NGD Boy]

Could someone please explain in laymans terms what is progressive scan and interlacing ?...... I have seen things like 720p which I assume is progressive and also 720i which I also assume is interlaced..... what is the difference and which gives best pic
......... I have recently bought my first screen PWD8 approx a month ago and would like to buy scaler to improve PQ for sky+(sky connected to amp via s/video and then amp converts to component).... only other sources dvd......can you please help with explanations and what I could buy to improve PQ,nothing too expensive guys
Cheers
Carl

[creative-av]

Hi fortywinks,

First of all you are correct with what the 'p' and 'i' mean. Basically Interlaced is when a frame is made up of 2 fields where 1 field has all the odd scan lines and the 2nd field has all the even scanlines. A progressive frame is made up of 2 fields that have all the scanlines in both fields.

You then have film and video. Film is shot at 24 or 25 frames per second and video is 50(PAL) or 60(NTSC) interlaced fields per second.

Have a look at the links in this thread: Scaler - need a technical overview

Some of the detail will be quite deep but you do get a good overview of what interlaced, progressive, film and video mean(it also helps that there are some pics to explain things!).

Scaler wise you have the option of the Lumagen range - From SRP £825(VisionDVI) to £1599(HDQ), the Iscan VP30(approx £1200) and the top dog at the moment Crystalio II(SRP £2999-3699)

I would suggest either the Lumagen or Iscan would suit your screen as the Crystalio II maybe just a tad over the top!

Steve

[NGD Boy]

Thanks Steve..... having a look now....ref scaler, wanted something quite a bit cheaper though!!

[creative-av]

Well you do get the occasional Lumagen in the classifieds and the VisionDVI is very, very good for the price it costs but it does have some limitations compared to the Lumagen HDP & HDQ.

I think you need to decide 1)what is your budget and 2) are you going to be upgrading to HD in the future as this can affect your choices.

Have a read of the articles and see what you think.

Steve

[NGD Boy]

as cheap as possible really ..... max £200-£300...... I will probably go HD in 18 months when price drops, or would skyHD with PWD8 be a better upgrade than scaler with SD ?

[NGD Boy]

I have read the mentioned links and can fathom out a little bit about scalers.... would I benefit from getting one with my Panny PWD8, sky+ and toshiba 220 DVDP ?
cheers
Carl

[creative-av]

The answer is yes. The scaler will do so much more than just upscale an image for you so will still benefit with a SD screen.

Someone recently asked the same question and decided to get a scaler. Needless to say they were more than happy with their additional purchase!

Steve