What does interlaced video do during each frame capture?

Interlaced video captures an image by dividing each frame into two fields: one that contains all the odd lines and the other that contains all the even lines. During each frame capture, the system first draws all the odd lines, followed by the even lines, effectively creating the visual perception of a complete frame. This technique was developed to improve the appearance of motion in television broadcasts, as it reduces flicker and provides smoother images, particularly in scenes with rapid movement. The method allows for the effective use of bandwidth while still maintaining the perception of higher resolution with the benefit of reduced data load during transmission.

This process is distinct from capturing all lines in a single sequence, which is typical of progressive scanning, or displaying the video in full HD immediately, which is not applicable to interlaced formats. Furthermore, processing each line independently does not characterize interlaced video, as it relies on alternating fields instead of treating each line autonomously.