1080i is interlaced, so the picture is transmitted as two fields that represent slightly different times. If you are in the US with 60 fields per second, then it transmits first the odd numbered lines in one field, then the even numbered lines in the other. 1080p is non-interlaced. To fully clarify, you need to know if it is 1080p/30 or 1080p/60. In the former case, the data rate is the same as for 1080i, but all the lines are transmitted in one go. The number of pixels is the same but the motion will be slightly jerkier because each area of the screen is updated 30 instead of 60 times a second. 1080p/60 would send a complete picture every 1/60 of a second, giving twice the data rate but a very good quality picture. As far as I know, nobody is broadcasting 1080p or plans to do so. The two standards in widespread use are 1080i/30, high quality picture, slightly inferior motion, used for drama and documentaries, and 720p/60, slightly lower quality picture but better motion behaviour, used for sports. As long as your TV handles these two formats natively, I would not thin k it worth going to 1080p: it isn't going to be broadcast for a long time yet.