I have a sony 32 inch xbr TV (myt first non analog). HOw do you change the resolution from 480i to 1080i. What is the difference between 1080i and 1080p Thanks for your help. Maria

The resolution is controlled by the video sources, you do not adjust it at the TV, if you feed it with video sources that is 1080i it will display 1080i.
I hope that will explain how it works.

Video Output Settings Adjust the system's video output settings. Select the best output settings for the TV in use.
1.
Check the resolution supported by your TV.
Resolution (video mode) varies depending on the TV type. For details, refer to the instructions supplied with the TV.
2.
Select (Settings) > (Display Settings).
3.
Select [Video Output Settings].
4.
Select the connector type on your TV.
Resolution (video mode) varies depending on the type of connector used.
Input connector on the TV Supported video modes (NTSC region) *1 Supported video modes (PAL region) *1 HDMI 1080p / 1080i / 720p / 480p 1080p / 1080i / 720p / 576p Component / D-Terminal *2 1080p / 1080i / 720p / 480p / 480i 1080p / 1080i / 720p / 576p / 576i Composite / S Video *3 480i 576i AV MULTI / SCART *4 480p / 480i 576p / 576i *1 The video mode options vary depending on the region where the PS3™ system was purchased. In North America, Asia and other NTSC regions, 480i video mode is displayed as [Standard (NTSC)]. In Europe and other PAL regions, 576i video mode is displayed as [Standard (PAL)]. For details, refer to the instructions supplied with the product.
*2 D-terminal is a connector type used mainly in Japan. The resolutions supported by D1-D5 are as follows:
D5: 1080p / 720p / 1080i / 480p / 480i
D4: 1080i / 720p / 480p / 480i
D3: 1080i / 480p / 480i
D2: 480p / 480i
D1: 480i
*3 Composite is the connector used to connect the AV cable that is supplied with the PS3™ system. S VIDEO is a format mainly used in Japan.
*4 AV MULTI is a format mainly used in Japan. SCART is a format mainly used in Europe. If [AV MULTI / SCART] is selected, the screen allowing you to select the type of output signal will be displayed.
5.
Change video output settings.
Change the resolution for the video output. Depending on the connector type selected in step 4, this screen may not be displayed.
6.
Set the resolution.
Select all resolutions supported by the TV in use. Video will automatically be output at the highest resolution possible for the content you are playing from among the selected resolutions.*
* The video resolution is selected in order of priority as follows: 1080p > 1080i > 720p > 480p/576p > Standard (NTSC:480i/PAL:576i).

If [Composite / S Video] is selected in step 4, the screen for selecting resolutions will not be displayed.
If [HDMI] is selected, you can also select to automatically adjust the resolution (the HDMI device must be turned on). In this case, the screen for selecting resolutions will not be displayed.
7.
Set the TV type.
Select the type of TV in use. Set when only SD resolution (NTSC:480p / 480i, PAL: 576p / 576i) is to be output such as when [Composite / S Video] or [AV MULTI / SCART] is selected in step 4.
8.
Check your settings.
Confirm that the image displayed is at the correct resolution for the TV. You can go back to a previous screen and revise the settings by pressing the button.
9.
Save your settings.
The video output settings are saved on the PS3™ system. You can continue on to set audio output settings. For details on audio output, see (Settings) > (Sound Settings) > [Audio Output Settings] in this guide.



Source: http://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/ps3/current/settings/videooutput.html

This tv have the capabillity for the Full HD max resolution 1080i or 1080p.The problems u have is not the tv capabilities.The tv incomming broadcasting signals are vary like DTV,SD,480i,720i low end HD.Max HD resolutions are 1080p or 1080i.

U can't change any air tv programs show on over the air resolution.Resolution are set by the tv stations set their programs by airing itself like 480i,720i and 1080i.U get what u get,the only thing is the tv programs air resolution air,the tv u got can get that resolution,that it.

U can't not,only resolution can get,it the show u watching give u the resolutions.Want more HD 1080i must order a HD package from the cable,satalite or telicom companies.

Adjust the system's video output settings. Select the best output settings for the TV in use.

1. Check the resolution supported by your TV.
Resolution (video mode) varies depending on the TV type. For details, refer to the instructions supplied with the TV.

2. Select (Display Settings) under (Settings) in the home menu.

3. Select [Video Output Settings].

4. Select the connector type on your TV.
Resolution (video mode) varies depending on the type of connector used.

Input connector on the TV Supported video modes (NTSC region) *1 Supported video modes (PAL region) *1
HDMI 1080p / 1080i / 720p / 480p 1080p / 1080i / 720p / 576p
Component / D-Terminal *2 1080p / 1080i / 720p / 480p / 480i 1080p / 1080i / 720p / 576p / 576i
Composite / S Video *3 480i 576i
AV MULTI / SCART *4 480p / 480i 576p / 576i
*1 The video mode options vary depending on the region where the PS3™ system was purchased. In North America, Asia and other NTSC regions, 480i video mode is displayed as [Standard (NTSC)]. In Europe and other PAL regions, 576i video mode is displayed as [Standard (PAL)]. For details, refer to the instructions supplied with the product.

*2 D-terminal is a connector type used mainly in Japan. The resolutions supported by D1-D5 are as follows:
D5: 1080p / 720p / 1080i / 480p / 480i
D4: 1080i / 720p / 480p / 480i
D3: 1080i / 480p / 480i
D2: 480p / 480i
D1: 480i

*3 Composite is the connector used to connect the AV cable that is supplied with the PS3™ system. S VIDEO is a format mainly used in Japan.

*4 AV MULTI is a format mainly used in Japan. SCART is a format mainly used in Europe. If [AV MULTI / SCART] is selected, the screen allowing you to select the type of output signal will be displayed.


5. Change video output settings.
Change the resolution for the video output. Depending on the connector type selected in step 4, this screen may not be displayed.

6. Set the resolution.
Select all resolutions supported by the TV in use. Video will automatically be output at the highest resolution possible for the content you are playing from among the selected resolutions.*
* The video resolution is selected in order of priority as follows: 1080p > 1080i > 720p > 480p/576p > Standard (NTSC:480i/PAL:576i).
If [Composite / S Video] is selected in step 4, the screen for selecting resolutions will not be displayed.
If [HDMI] is selected, you can also select to automatically adjust the resolution (the HDMI device must be turned on). In this case, the screen for selecting resolutions will not be displayed.

7. Set the TV type.
Select the type of TV in use. Set when only SD resolution (NTSC:480p / 480i, PAL: 576p / 576i) is to be output such as when [Composite / S Video] or [AV MULTI / SCART] is selected in step 4.

8. Check your settings.
Confirm that the image displayed is at the correct resolution for the TV. You can go back to a previous screen and revise the settings by pressing the button.

9. Save your settings.
The video output settings are saved on the PS3™ system. You can continue on to set audio output settings. For details on audio output, see (Settings) > (Sound Settings) > [Audio Output Settings] in this guide.

Turn off cable box.
Turn on TV.
Hold down media and guide for a few seconds.
On TV pick the resolution you want. Your choices are 480i, 480p, 720p, some wide screen resolutions and 1080i.
Save the results.
You should be good to go.

You Can Not Change. The TV Recognize the signal on the INPUT.
If the signal is 480i than the tv shows 480i
If the signal is 1080p than the tv shows 1080p (if supported)
If you try with your areal antenna (for now digital broadcast is maximum 1080i (in USA) The TV itself doesnt "upconvert" lower resolution signals.

It'll still be 480i, it'll just work on a 1080i input now. You can't make HD out of a non-HD source.

Geno

I don't have the XBR, but on my sony, using the cable box remote, I had to go into menu/display/etc. and mark the 1080i, 720p, and 480i settings. you usually get a "if you can see this" comment if your tv accepts the settings. for standard tv i set the screen to normal, and when the upper channels go to HD, they auto go to full screen. Sounds like you are using the component cable, and also make sure you are on the video port of remote, and the the TV input. The above worked for mine. Hope it helps.