What is progressive scan, and what does it have to do with digital video?

What is progressive scan, and what does it have to do with digital video?

Progressive scan (also called noninterlaced scanning) is any method for displaying, storing, or transmitting moving images. In this form, the lines of each frame are drawn in sequence. So, in other words, they appear on the screen progressively, in order, from top to bottom. And the whole screen appears in less than a second.

The system of progressive scan was originally known as "sequential scanning".

What does it have to do with digital video?

For one it is used in storing or transmitting digital video: Progressive scan is used for scanning and storing material on DVDs, and other storage devices and formats. It is often stored in MPEG4 format to be transmitted on the internet, and more.

It is also used in display: Progressive scan is used for most cathode ray tube (CRT) computer monitors, and is actually the best device to use as the source signal is progressive by nature. It is also common in high-end television equipment, which is often capable of performing de-interlacing so that interlaced source video can still be viewed in progressive scan. So, if you film your digital video in progressive scan to start with you get a better end result.

What are the advantages of progressive scan?

There are a lot of advantages of progressive scan, in both capturing the image and storing and displaying it. Most of the advantages come in the display of it. Advantages include:

• Simpler video processing equipment. It is easier to edit, and process video if you initially shoot your digital video in progressive scan.
• Easier compression. Progressive scan is easier to compress, so shoot in it initially for best results.
• Higher resolution in video with motion. Because each line is scanned individually and refreshed every 60th of a second, you get better resolution for moving images.
• Fewer artifacts in video with motion. You do not have half the screen behind the motion as you do with interlaced.
• Increased vertical resolution.
• No flickering of narrow horizontal patterns.
• The ghosting effect is also reduced in game consoles.

What are the disadvantages of progressive scan?

One of the biggest disadvantages of progressive scan is that it will have half the frame rate of an interlaced scan's field rate, at a given line rate.
What this means it that your motion is not as smooth, so for things like coverage of sports, you do not get as great of a picture.

There is a time and place for both progressive scan and interlaced scanning and image capturing. Which is best should be determined by your uses. However, when it comes to what progressive scan has to do with digital video it is simply that it is a format for capturing, storing, and displaying it. So, it has everything to do with it. Many people have bought televisions or programs that change interlaced into progressive scan. So, if you want to be ahead of the game, and require the least amount of work for yourself, shoot your image in progressive scan digital video initially. Most broadcasting stations use interlaced still because they are usually live, and thus no editing is done, and so motion looks better, but progressive scan is great. It is the top choice of image capturing format for digital video.