576i

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576i is a standard-definition video mode used in former PAL and SECAM countries, and is the digital equivalent of the analogue PAL and SECAM systems.

The 576 identifies a vertical resolution of 576 lines (usually with a horizontal resolution of 720 or 704 pixels), and the i identifies it as an interlaced resolution. As some people prefer to identify an interlaced resolution by its number of fields (rather than the number of lines), the format is also sometimes called 288i. Furthermore, the field rate (not to be confused with the frame rate), which is 50Hz, is sometimes included when identifying the video mode, i.e. 576i50.

The video format can be transported by both major digital television formats, ATSC and DVB, and on DVD, and it supports aspect ratios of standard 4:3 and anamorphic 16:9.

Digital video resolutions

Designation	Usage examples	Definition (lines)	Rate (Hz)
			Interlaced (fields)	Progressive (frames)
Low; MP@LL	LDTV, VCD	240; 288 (SIF)		24, 30; 25
Standard; MP@ML	SDTV, SVCD, DVD, DV	480 (NTSC, PAL-M)	60	24, 30
		576 (PAL, SECAM)	50	25
Enhanced	EDTV	480; 576		60; 50
High; MP@HL	HDTV, HD DVD, Blu-ray Disc, HDV	720		24, 30, 60; 25, 50
		1080	50, 60	24, 30; 25
This table illustrates total horizontal and vertical pixel resolution via box size. It does not accurately reflect the screen shape (aspect ratio) of these formats, which is either 4:3 or 16:9.