720p VS 1080i/p Resolutions

[SSF]

A few months ago I was shopping for a new 42" Plasma and started researching HD technologies. At first I assumed I needed a TV that was capable of showing a 1080i/p picture but after some serious research, I read on several authoritative sites stating that televisions under 50" do NOT benefit from the 1080 resolution. So I ended up saving a boatload of cash by buying a 720p TV and it frankly looks just as good as my parents 65" 1080i.

I figured I should pass this info along to anyone else who was in my position and in the market for a new HDTV whether it be LCD, Plasma or Projection. Anything under 50" can be 720p and you will save some serious scratch by not falling for marketing of the 1080i/p.

Here is one good reference but just Googling 720p vs 1080i will give you a wealth of info!

720p vs. 1080p HDTV: The final word - Fully Equipped - CNET Reviews

 

[JoeTan]

you are correct. 42in and under is 720p land. There are "native resolutions" at different sizes and differing from these settings can make the pic look WORSE even if it's a higher resolution. If the screen is only capable of 720lines of resolution then shoving 1080lines in there isn't going to benefit anything.

 

[Davis]

Exactly. I have one that goes to 1080i but I use 780p for fast-motion programs (sports). For 'regular shows' I use 1080i. anything p will always show motion than anything i.

 

[IronJabroni]

you are correct. 42in and under is 720p land. There are "native resolutions" at different sizes and differing from these settings can make the pic look WORSE even if it's a higher resolution. If the screen is only capable of 720lines of resolution then shoving 1080lines in there isn't going to benefit anything.

I have a 32" Toshiba 1366 x 768...would setting my HD cable box to output in 720p instead of 1080i (assuming this is possible) be noticeable??

 

[Davis]

If you are watching sports or anything with fast motion, yes you should notice a difference. Otherwise you probably won't.

 

[mrpacs]

Look for 120hz refresh rate.

 

[k9feces]

I think the only Plasma/LCD with 1080i resolution were made by Hitachi. If you are buying a TV nowadays you are looking at 720p or 1080p.

I recommend Panasonic 720p Plasmas for people on a budget. You can get a 42 inch for about $800. Last year consumer reports rated them better than 1080p models.

You can get a Panasonic Plasma for less than a Vizio, or other disposable TVs.

 

[JoeTan]

the dog pooper is right on. Panasonic Plasma can't be beat for the price/quality.

 

[Davis]

I don't know. I have had several non-Hitachi LCDs that were 1080i.

 

[Learjet35A]

I've always used the same principal. I have a 32" Philips (720p) in my bedroom and a 70" Sony (1080p) in the living room.

 

[IronJabroni]

alright I switched the hd cable box output from 1080i to 720p into my 32" 1366 x 768 tv...try to see if there's any difference to the eye watching steelers/giants this weekend

 

[Jgatie]

I don't know. I have had several non-Hitachi LCDs that were 1080i.

There is a big difference between being able to display a format, and the native resolution of the display. Just because a set can accept 1080i input does not mean it displays it as 1080i. The displays you speak of were able to receive 1080i, but the set processed the 1080i to the native resolution, which was actually 720p (or more likely 768p). Since LCD, DLP and plasma are fixed pixel displays, the number of pixels is not variable, and the only fixed pixel displays that were native 1080i were Hitachi plasmas.

 

[Davis]

Right. I took his statement as saying that there aren't any that can accept 1080i.

 

[Learjet35A]

Another note to mention is for video gamers, if you run a XBOX360 or a PS3 on a TV that cannot accept 1080p, please be sure to have your settings (on the system) at 720p as opposed to 1080i. 720p is how games are designed and meant to be run.

 

[Davis]

Are the games on a 360 actually HD or just up-converted.

 

[JoeTan]

I say projection CRT produces the best pic ever.

 

[IronJabroni]

I say projection CRT produces the best pic ever.

Is this the same as DLP?

 

[Davis]

DLP is projection. I don't know how you can possibly have a projection CRT though.

 

[Jgatie]

DLP is projection. I don't know how you can possibly have a projection CRT though.

There are/were both rear projection and front projection CRT's. They consisted of 3 separate (red, blue, green) 7" to 9" CRT guns (not the familiar direct view tube) projected onto a fresnel screen set in a cabinet or projected onto a movie screen mounted on a wall. Because of the 3 guns, they had to be physically aligned via a convergence procedure, and although this required maintenance (especially for the front projection) they are still considered to give one of the best pictures ever. But the quality was highly dependent on the ability of the CRT to resolve HD resolutions, and only the best 9" guns could fully resolve all 1080 lines.

Here's a couple pictures:

Front Projection:

Rear Projection:

 

[Davis]

Oh wow, I stand corrected. I had no idea that they were still considered CRTs. You learn something new every day. :bigthumbup: