What does the "i" in 1080i stand for?

The "i" in 1080i stands for "interlaced," which refers to a specific method of displaying video where each frame is divided into two fields. In interlaced scanning, the first field contains the odd lines of the image, while the second field contains the even lines. This technique helps to reduce flicker and improve the perceived motion quality in the display. As a result, 1080i effectively delivers a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, although it is not as crisp as progressive formats like 1080p, where the entire frame is displayed in a single pass.

This method is commonly used in broadcast television because it is compatible with the way analog signals were transmitted, allowing for smooth transitions and reducing the amount of bandwidth required. The other options, while potentially related to television technology, do not accurately describe the scanning format defined by the "i" in 1080i.