Aside from resolution, HDTV signals are also defined by scan types. Whereas traditional analog CRT monitors use interlaced scanning, modern HDTV designs use a system called progressive scanning.

There are at least two concepts that needs to be understood in scanning – that which refers to frames and fields. Frames are complete, full-screen images that make up an instantaneous portion of the HDTV picture. Fields, on the other hand, are simply half the frame. The first field within a frame consists of the odd-numbered scan lines while the second field consists of the even-numbered scan lines. A progressive scan signal is made up of both fields that are sent simultaneously providing a smoother and more natural appearance.

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