SX1 IS and 1080P

[FlattrackSteve]

Having just purchased a new SX1 IS, I am having an issue.
When outputting through an expensive ($60.00) “mini HDMI to HDMI” cable the output resolution, from a direct connection on the camera, to the 1080 P capable TV, is only 1080 I.
I called Canon and they told me there were no settings for HDMI output, from the camera, it is 1080 P from the factory,
Checked settings on my TV (Mitsubishi Diamond series DLP) and it will “auto detect” the input signal settings, even tried another HDMI input on the TV, still same results 1080 I.
Went to the local box store and had them get their best “mini HDMI to HDMI” cable and connected to one of their 1080 P sets and the same thing 1080 I.
Question; do you have to use the Canon “mini HDMI to HDMI” cable (HTC-100) to get 1080 P output from the camera, or do I have a real issue?

Thanks
Steve

[Jon]

I'm curious as to where you first saw the SX1 had 1080p; it's not in the manual that I can find, nor on the Canon USA specs page. Lacking a 1080anything TV, all I can say is that it looks good with a $15 Newegg mini-HDMI-HDMI cable into my Toshiba 720p set.

[FlattrackSteve]

Thanks Jon
Couples of things, most online reviews indicate 1080P resolution, maybe they’re wrong?
When I called Canon tech line I was told that the camera resolution was 1080P, maybe wrong again??!!
Indeed there is no mention, in the included users guide, about 1080P, only that the cmos sensor resolution is 1920 x 1080 which could be 1080I or 1080P.
Anyone else had my issue?

Thanks
SteveC

[FlattrackSteve]

Also, after removing my SD card from the camera, and using Windows explorer to move the recorded file to my hard drive, I converted the .MOV (Apple Quicktime format which I not a fan of at all) to a windows media player format. The conversion software indicated a 1080P file in the original format of .MOV??
Does anyone have a solid answer to this question of 1080I or 1080P?

Thanks
SteveC

[eosphotomanoftennessee]

per Canon's website:

News & Features - Canon USA Consumer Products

The Canon is a 10.0Megapixel powerhouse incorporating a CMOS image sensor and 1080p Full HD Movie mode, both first-in-class features for a PowerShot camera, resulting in superb image quality and enhanced flexibility. While the camera is in Movie Mode, the PowerShot SX1 IS Digital Camera can easily play back video and view photos on an HDTV, via a built-in HDMI connector. With all these great features and now Full HD Movie Mode, the PowerShot SX1 IS Digital Camera is the perfect complement to a DSLR. The PowerShot SX1 IS Digital Camera is scheduled to be available in April for an estimated retail price of $599.99.

From About.com:
How 1080i and 1080p Are Both The Same and Different

1080i and 1080p are both High Definition display formats for HDTVs. 1080i and 1080p signals actually contain the same information. Both 1080i and 1080p represent a 1920x1080 pixel resolution (1,920 pixels across the screen by 1,080 pixels down the screen). The difference between 1080i and 1080p is in the way the signal is sent from a source component or displayed on an HDTV screen.

In 1080i each frame of video is sent or displayed in alternative fields. The fields in 1080i are composed of 540 rows of pixels or lines of pixels running from the top to the bottom of the screen, with the odd fields displayed first and the even fields displayed second. Together, both fields create a full frame, made up of all 1,080 pixel rows or lines, every 30th of a second.

In 1080p, each frame of video is sent or displayed progressively. This means that both the odd and even fields (all 1,080 pixel rows or pixel lines) that make up the full frame are displayed together. This results in a smoother looking image, with less motion artifacts and jagged edges.

Differences Within 1080p

1080p can also be displayed (depending on the video processing used) as a 1080p/60 (most common), 1080p/30, or in 1080p/24 formats.

1080p/60 is essentially the same frame repeated twice every 30th of a second. (enhanced video frame rate).

1080p/30 is the same frame displayed once every 30th of a second. (standard live or recorded video frame rate).

1080p/24 is the same frame displayed every 24th of a second (standard motion picture film frame rate),

The Key is in the Processing

1080p processing can be done at the source, such as on a Upscaling DVD Player, Blu-ray Disc Player, or HD-DVD player - or it can be done by the HDTV itself.

Depending on the actual video processors used, there may or may not be a difference in having the TV do the final processing (referred to as deinterlacing) step of converting 1080i to 1080p.

For instance, if the TV is utilizing a Faroudja Genesis, DVDO, Silicon Optix HQV, or homegrown processors, such as the ones used in higher-end Sony, Pioneer, Hitachi, and Panasonic sets for example, may be equal to the processors used in many source components - so the results displayed on screen should be equivalent, or very close. Any differences would be more noticable on larger screen sizes.

[FlattrackSteve]

Boy that really cleared things up!!
(sarc on)
I completly understand the difference betweet interlaced scanning and progressive scanning, but the /60,/30,/24 stuff threw me.
The TV I have will accept 24 HZ, 30 HZ, and 60 HZ 1080P inputs (from spec info).
When I switch to Blu-ray input the TV screen displays 1080P input, as I would expect.
I still don't understand why, when I connect the camera (1080P output) I get a screen display of 1080I on the TV screen??

[LotsToLearn]

The camera records in 1080p. But like other have mentioned, I too haven't seen it officially documented anywhere that the camera supports 1080p output through the HDMI connection.

So it may be the camera does only support a 1080i output signal through it's HDMI connection.

[FlattrackSteve]

Read the Feb 17th 2009 press release on the Canon web site.
Why would Canon make a camera RECORD 1080P and output 1080I ??
The press release mentions 1080P for the SX1 IS

[LotsToLearn]

OK... I read it before and I read it again. It still doesn't say 1080p playback anywhere. Like I said, it records in 1080p as advertised. Remember that it's firstly a recording device. That doesn't mean they put as much into it's playback features though.