1080PsF

1080PsF is the shorthand name for a category of High-definition video. The number 1080 represents 1080 lines of vertical display resolution, while the letters stand for Progressive Segmented Frame. The term assumes a wide screen aspect ratio of 16x9, implying a horizontal (display) resolution of 1920 pixels across and a frame resolution of 1920×1080 or exactly 2,073,600 pixels. The frame rate in hertz is specified before the letters PsF (such as 1080/23.98PsF, meaning 24 frames per second).

Progressive Segmented Frames are necessary because many Cathode Ray Tube monitors are unable to display progressive formats, but need to have each frame of video sub-divided into two fields. One field containing the odd numbered lines, and the other containing the even numbered lines.

To allow us to see progressively scanned frames, each frame is segmented into two fields. Each field always relates to the same frame, and the two can be re-interlaced and de-interlaced without any loss of quality.

This allows us to scan camera neg progressively for easy manipulation is post production, but also view it on a standard video monitor. If you want to view the scans progressively on say a video projector then you can too because the projector will be able to re-interlace the fields and display them as one progressive scan.

PsF video is always recorded to tape as P.