1080i Pixelation with Sports

[basshive]

I am sure others have noticed this as well but if I watch any sort of sporting event in 1080i, fast motion produces a ton of pixelation.  720p is beautiful but I am finding anything at 1080i with fast motion is what I would consider unwatchable.  Is this normal? What is the cause behind this? Could be a refresh rate issue on my tv?

[AndrewP]

I don't have this effect with Dish Network 1080i sporting events on HD Net, TNT HD, Rush HD. Only local CBS58 had sometimes this problem during football games. But it is related to multicast (they run CBS 58.2) Last year they had also CBS 58.3. We'll see if the HD signal will improve this year.

[kevbeck122]

It's because the lines are interlaced.  Alternating lines + fast motion = some pixelation.  When you lower the bandwidth on your HD feed (like when CBS was multicasting), you also get more pixelation.  It can also depend on equipment you're using or the station is using, how much the cable/sat company is compressing the feed, etc...  On my set I can't tell the different between 720p and 1080i and I can't say that 1080i sporting events are unwatchable.

[StarvingForHDTV]

I saw a night football game on 58-1 recently which looked stunning.  I thought it was easily comparable to MNF in 720p.  My guess is you weren't getting the maximum bit rate, and that's why it was pixelated.