About Progressive Scanning
Progressive scanning is much simpler than interlaced scanning: each line is scanned
consecutively until a complete frame is drawn. Computer displays and many recent
HD televisions use progressive scanning.
Here are some significant facts about interlaced and progressive scanning methods:
 Interlacing provides twice the perceived frame rate with only half the recording or
transmission requirements.
 Progressive scanning is preferred when interlacing artifacts (such as thin flickering
horizontal lines) would be unacceptable. Progressive images are often considered
more film-like because there are no flickering interlacing artifacts.
 Computer displays are almost always scanned progressively.
 NTSC and PAL televisions always use interlaced scanning.
 Many HD video cameras can record progressive frames.
 Video destined for computer-only use, such as web video, should always be
made progressive.