From Wikipedia
1080i film-based content can become true 1080p/24
The following examples refer to content that is encoded in progressive-scan form during recording or transmission—what would be considered "native" progressive signals. However, where 24 fps film-based material is concerned, a 1080i encoded/transmitted stream can become a true "1080p" signal during playback by deinterlacing to re-combine the split field pairs into progressive film-scanned frames. Regarding 24 fps film-source material presented in conventional 1080i60 form, the deinterlacing process that achieves this goal is usually referred to as "3:2 pulldown reversal" [also known as "inverse telecine"]. The importance of this is that, where film-based content is concerned, all 1080-interlaced signals are potentially 1080p signals given the proper deinterlacing. As long as no additional image-degradation steps were applied during signal mastering (such as excessive vertical-pass filtering), the image from a properly deinterlaced film-source 1080i signal and a native-encoded 1080p signal will look approximately the same. It should be noted that Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD sources are 1080p with no vertical filtering, therefore, 1080i output from players can be perfectly reconstructed to 1080p with 3:2 pulldown reversal.
As more and more processors and displays come to market able to apply 3:2 pulldown reversal to film-based 1080i60 signals, the amount of available "1080p" content for viewing expands (encompassing film-based 1080i60 feeds from broadcast HD, cable, and satellite).
So, I stand corrected, although I also think it is more complicated than this. Depends how good the deinterlacing is, and it talks about 60 fps, and I don't think these players are outputing 60 fps. 60fps interlaced would have as much infomation as 30fps non interlaced.
And thanks for bringing this up, I have learned something new today.
Randy
