In this paper, we investigate the statistical properties of interlaced and progressive image sequences in order to determine what is the most efficient format from a coding point of view. Intra- and inter-coding modes are both considered. The main result is that, for both intra- and inter-images, the coding of progressive images outperforms the coding of interlaced ones for low bit rates and large motion vectors. Particular attention is paid to inter-coding with subpel accuracy, where the effects of nonideal interpolation filters and finite precision of the motion vector are taken into account.
Vandendorpe, L., & Cuvelier, L. (1999). Statistical properties of coded interlaced and progressive image sequences. IEEE Transactions on Image Processing, 8(6), 749-761. https://doi.org/10.1109/83.766854 (Original work published 1999)