480i

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480i is the video mode used for standard-definition digital video^[1] in the Caribbean, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, Myanmar, Western Sahara, and most of the Americas (with the exception of Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay). The other common standard definition digital standard, used in the rest of the world, is 576i.

It originated from the need for a standard to digitize analog 525 line TV (defined in BT.601) and is now used for digital TV broadcasts and home appliances such as game consoles and DVD disc players.^[1][2]

The 480 identifies a vertical resolution of 480 lines, and the i identifies it as an interlaced resolution. The field rate, which is 60 Hz (or 59.94 Hz when used with NTSC color), is sometimes included when identifying the video mode, i.e. 480i60; another notation, endorsed by both the International Telecommunication Union in BT.601^[3] and SMPTE in SMPTE 259M, includes the frame rate, as in 480i/30.

Although related, it should not be confused with the analog "525 lines" resolution, mandated by CCIR Systems M and J and usually paired with NTSC color. This association explains why 480i is sometimes inaccurately called "NTSC", even though NTSC only exists in the analog domain.