I just got a new 360 Pro, which does have an HDMI port, for my birthday (what a good fiance :) - although she might regret it now...).

Now the 10 year old CRT standard definition tv just won't cut it. I've been following the home theater market for years, and I know the differences in 720p and 1080p, and I also know if you are 10 feet away on a screen less than 50", you can't tell the difference anyways. For HD content, I'd be happy with 720p, but I'm wondering if I'll regret not getting a 1080p tv for gaming, because I'll probably be closer than 10 feet.

I'm looking at the Panasonic 42" Plasma in the new 80 series. It's a 720p unit, without VGA input.

First off, is the xbox 360 capable of outputting 1080p on component and HDMI?
Secondly, does it look much better in 1080p vs 720p? (I'm sure this somewhat depends on the games).

Thanks!

I just got a new 360 Pro, which does have an HDMI port, for my birthday (what a good fiance :) - although she might regret it now...).

Now the 10 year old CRT standard definition tv just won't cut it. I've been following the home theater market for years, and I know the differences in 720p and 1080p, and I also know if you are 10 feet away on a screen less than 50", you can't tell the difference anyways. For HD content, I'd be happy with 720p, but I'm wondering if I'll regret not getting a 1080p tv for gaming, because I'll probably be closer than 10 feet.

I'm looking at the Panasonic 42" Plasma in the new 80 series. It's a 720p unit, without VGA input.

First off, is the xbox 360 capable of outputting 1080p on component and HDMI?
Secondly, does it look much better in 1080p vs 720p? (I'm sure this somewhat depends on the games).

Thanks!

Your answers:

1) Yes. 1080p over component, HDMI, and VGA for games... as long as your TV can accept a 1080p signal through the specific type of input. DVD's can only be upscaled through HDMI and VGA. HDDVD's can only be outputted at 1080p with HDMI and VGA (1080i for component).

2) No. I don't think that you are going to notice any difference between 1080p and 720p for games. Most Xbox 360 games are rendered at 720p or less and thus there is no real (i.e. not upscaled) resolution increase.

The 1080p vs 720p debate really matters the most when talking about screen size and seating distance. The closer you sit to your TV the higher the resolution the TV should be.

Just keep in mind that you are likely to keep the TV longer than you'll be actively using the XBOX; TVs are generally 10+ year purchases. So unless you're dumping the TV in a couple of years, you'll be using it with the 360 and the *next* XBOX. Given the small price differential between 1080 and 720 sets, you might as well go whole hog and be ready for the next decade of gaming. :)

I'm running my xbox at 1080p through component so I can vouch that it works.

I already had the 3 HDMI ports on my TV in use at the time so I tried it and it works. I'm about to move the HDDVR to the bedroom though and free up an HDMI port so I'll probably put the xbox on that instead at that time. I know there won't be a difference though, I just like the smaller cables.

As for the TV, do yourself a favor and buy 1080P. I have a 50" screen and we sit around 8' away from it which are both what people call borderlines so I went with it. Even though I have no idea if ti makes a difference, I can tell you I have one hell of an amazing pic on my 1080P media. If I had gotten anything less I would have always wondered in the back of my mind.

Not only that, but as mentioned on a purchase this large a little future proofing is nice too.

Btw, here's an excellent article on the benfit of 1080p... It helped me make my decision, and taught me a lot about HD as well...

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_14_1/feature-article-1080p-3-2007-part-1.html

Just keep in mind that you are likely to keep the TV longer than you'll be actively using the XBOX; TVs are generally 10+ year purchases.
i highly disagree. sure, if you said this statement about 20 years ago, then i may agree, but the rate that technology is advancing now is making that statement well, outdated...

i purchased a brand new Panny plasma 2 years ago, and i'm looking to replace it this year with either a bigger 720p set or go all out and get bigger 1080p set. either way, i'm sure i will want to replace it in a few years with a 1440p set, and so on and so on...

and that goes for anything electronic, like computers, digital cameras, music players, ect...



and to the OP, if you plan on getting a new HDTV, now is certainly the best time. since it's the end of the model year, you will be able to find great prices on great sets, look into Sixth Avenue Electronics and the local Costco...

I have a 1080P tv next to a 720P tv. I have compared many games and there is a difference, but I'm not sure it is a 2,000$ difference. (Which is the price difference to me).

i highly disagree. sure, if you said this statement about 20 years ago, then i may agree, but the rate that technology is advancing now is making that statement well, outdated...

i purchased a brand new Panny plasma 2 years ago, and i'm looking to replace it this year with either a bigger 720p set or go all out and get bigger 1080p set. either way, i'm sure i will want to replace it in a few years with a 1440p set, and so on and so on...


And you think you are typical?
Ooohhhkaaay....
If you say so...
Me, I went straight to 1080p/zero-overscan LCD three years ago and I'm not buying a second set for another two years. At which point I will be using *both* units.
I don't work just to prop up the Matsushita stock price. :)

Thanks for everybody's input.

1) Yes. 1080p over component, HDMI, and VGA for games... as long as your TV can accept a 1080p signal through the specific type of input. DVD's can only be upscaled through HDMI and VGA. HDDVD's can only be outputted at 1080p with HDMI and VGA (1080i for component).

This is really the key info I was looking for. So it sounds like for the xbox 360, 720p is adequate - especially if games aren't rendered higher than that now.

Then again, I realize the value of future-proofing too... I have much to ponder :)

I do plan on setting up a 1080p projection system in the basement in a year or so, so this won't be my "baby" long term, more of the general use, living room tv. Unless we switch to DirecTV/Dish, there will probably be a fair amount of standard def tv watched on it as well, which is one reason I'm thinking plasma instead of lcd.

Are you going to want to go with blu ray anytime soon if you are going to have High def movies I say pick up the 1080p unit but if you just want games 720p will do and you can start saving towards the wedding or the theatre.

Note: The 720p elite kuros have about a 1/3 price tag currently because pioneer is just going to make 1080p so if you can swing that in 720p make it happen :). My local high end audio shop guy told me when I was in checking out speakers last weekend.

i highly disagree. sure, if you said this statement about 20 years ago, then i may agree, but the rate that technology is advancing now is making that statement well, outdated...

i purchased a brand new Panny plasma 2 years ago, and i'm looking to replace it this year with either a bigger 720p set or go all out and get bigger 1080p set. either way, i'm sure i will want to replace it in a few years with a 1440p set, and so on and so on...

and that goes for anything electronic, like computers, digital cameras, music players, ect...



and to the OP, if you plan on getting a new HDTV, now is certainly the best time. since it's the end of the model year, you will be able to find great prices on great sets, look into Sixth Avenue Electronics and the local Costco...


Sorry, but I just bought a 50" 1080P Samsung Plasma and I guarantee I'll be using it for at least 10 years...

If you buy exactly what you want in the first place there's really no need to replace it in 2 years.

Well there is always something better coming out. I'm on my third main HD set since 2001 and my 6th HD set overall. Prior to that I had a 32" set I bought in 1991 for over $1k and used it for around 15 years. that will never happen again for me since the technology is getting better and better.

Well I personally think its about how much you can afford and staying within your budget. If its too much to spring for the best 1080p set then settle for a 720p one which isnt that big of a difference for high def tv and especially xbox because 95 percent of the games are gonna be 720p anyways.

A panasonic plasma or sony sxrd sets are both top performers that will be in the 1000 to 2000 range and should be affordable to anyone willing to work and save a little. Those sets are great values as I can attest to that personally. Go get one of them now.

Just a thought, but for a 42" screen you'll need to be sitting about 4 feet away to even notice a difference between 720p and 1080p.

Sorry, but I just bought a 50" 1080P Samsung Plasma and I guarantee I'll be using it for at least 10 years...

If you buy exactly what you want in the first place there's really no need to replace it in 2 years.

Oh, you'll be "using it" for 10 years, no doubt.

It just sure as hell isn't going to be the big dog in the pack anymore though. :D

i highly disagree. sure, if you said this statement about 20 years ago, then i may agree, but the rate that technology is advancing now is making that statement well, outdated...


...Except that 1080p is likely the highest resolution we are likely to see for a long, long time..and with the half-life of Plasmas and LCD's in the tens to hundreds of thousands of hours of expected life the urge to upgrade wont be there. Also people are accustomed to paying $500 for a new TV, not the $1200+ that LCD's and Plasmas cost, especially larger models, so people are likely to hold onto their HD sets longer than we used to if they are shelling out $1500+.


i purchased a brand new Panny plasma 2 years ago, and i'm looking to replace it this year with either a bigger 720p set or go all out and get bigger 1080p set. either way, i'm sure i will want to replace it in a few years with a 1440p set, and so on and so on...


Except that the higher resolution wont buy you anything if there are no native sources encoded to take advantage of it. It will take 10+ years from today just to make HD the normal broadcast resolution, and the bandwidth to support 1080i/720p is barely there right now, so your 1440p set would be wasted unless Toshiba decides to launch UBER SUPER HDDDVD and a line of ultra high rez tv's to go with it.

Also: People upgrading now are probably doing so from 1st or 2nd gen sets, ie: expensive at the time and poor performers compared to the TV's today spec-wise........but if you are upgrading after only 2 years, did you buy a lousy set originally? Or just too small....it will be interesting to see how the manufacturers try to sell us new sets each year...

Also: People upgrading now are probably doing so from 1st or 2nd gen sets, ie: expensive at the time and poor performers compared to the TV's today spec-wise........but if you are upgrading after only 2 years, did you buy a lousy set originally? Or just too small....it will be interesting to see how the manufacturers try to sell us new sets each year...

Most TVs from 2 years ago ARE lousy compared to what is available today.

The display market is now moving at a pace that was unheard of just 10 years ago.

It may be that we eventually settle in on the LCD as the replacement for the CRT as the one display type that everyone owns. That day is not here yet, however.

CRTs were really quite simple. And the technology was "figured out".

High definition sets are anything but simple. They require a lot of software and custom silicon. There is a large potential for bugs or incorrect implementation of image scaling, de-interlacing, etc... LCD manufacturers are only now beginning to figure out how to minimize perceived motion blur by strobing the back light. There are still big improvements to displays coming in the next 10 years.

Once all of this crap is figured out and the improvements from year to year are lessened, then I would say that people will start to keep their TVs longer.

Most TVs from 2 years ago ARE lousy compared to what is available today.

Not true. From 2001, 2002...sure. The past couple of years have been quite good, nothing wrong with 2 year old sets unless you're a true videophile where upgrading is a regular thing.

BUT, I'll make a concession to your logic:
The big upgrade path, as I see it, is people getting rid of their LCD and DLP RP's for true flatpanels....that I can see happening as people get annoyed with dust buildup on DLP wheels or replacing bulbs.

Most TVs from 2 years ago ARE lousy compared to what is available today.

The display market is now moving at a pace that was unheard of just 10 years ago.

It may be that we eventually settle in on the LCD as the replacement for the CRT as the one display type that everyone owns. That day is not here yet, however.

CRTs were really quite simple. And the technology was "figured out".

High definition sets are anything but simple. They require a lot of software and custom silicon. There is a large potential for bugs or incorrect implementation of image scaling, de-interlacing, etc... LCD manufacturers are only now beginning to figure out how to minimize perceived motion blur by strobing the back light. There are still big improvements to displays coming in the next 10 years.

Once all of this crap is figured out and the improvements from year to year are lessened, then I would say that people will start to keep their TVs longer.

Most people that are replacing older HDTV's are doing it to save space, go from 720p to 1080p, or go to a solution with a longer life. I'm not seeing anything beyond what we have now that is going to increase resolution or the size of the unit greatly enough. The only exception my be OLED if it becomes affordable.

Not true. From 2001, 2002...sure. The past couple of years have been quite good, nothing wrong with 2 year old sets unless you're a true videophile where upgrading is a regular thing.

120Hz refresh rates and associated image processing, LED backlighting, larger flat panels available for lower prices, increased contrast, increased brightness, increased viewing angles, much better de-interlacing built in.

Yeah, probably nothing technically wrong with a 2 year old set. But you probably still would go "wow" when you walk into Best Buy and compare these TVs with the 2 year old one.


BUT, I'll make a concession to your logic:
The big upgrade path, as I see it, is people getting rid of their LCD and DLP RP's for true flatpanels....that I can see happening as people get annoyed with dust buildup on DLP wheels or replacing bulbs.

I upgraded from a 52" 720p 2004 Mitsubishi DLP that I bought for $2700 to a 60" 1080p 120Hz 2007 Sony SXRD RPTV that I bought for $1665 in November.

My old TV only did bob de-interlacing. It was only 720p. It didn't have an iris on the bulb so blacks were lacking. It was only 52", when I really wanted a 60" model, but couldn't afford it at the time.

The new Sony I bought is VASTLY superior in every conceivable way, and it is only 3 years newer than the old TV. And it was $1000 cheaper than the Mitsu was. That is a huge leap in tech for just 3 years.

Oh, and screw "true" flat panels. ;) At least until they figure them out better and the 60" versions come down below $2000. :)

120Hz refresh rates and associated image processing, LED backlighting, larger flat panels available for lower prices, increased contrast, increased brightness, increased viewing angles, much better de-interlacing built in.

I dunno, none of this really makes me want to run out and upgrade. 120Hz is largely a bust so far, like 1080/24 conversion (looks good on paper and in internet articles written by professional reviewers and bloggers). Contrast, of course...but thats the primary selling point....contrast and response time..but usually if those are good enough, Joe Sixpack isn't noticing the difference.


Yeah, probably nothing technically wrong with a 2 year old set. But you probably still would go "wow" when you walk into Best Buy and compare these TVs with the 2 year old one.

I dunno....only if you had the two side by side, and took the BB set out of torch-mode :D


My old TV only did bob de-interlacing. It was only 720p. It didn't have an iris on the bulb so blacks were lacking. It was only 52", when I really wanted a 60" model, but couldn't afford it at the time. The new Sony I bought is VASTLY superior in every conceivable way, and it is only 3 years newer than the old TV. And it was $1000 cheaper than the Mitsu was. That is a huge leap in tech for just 3 years.


True nuff, but you're an afficianado....most people are not going to follow this path. In fact, most of the people I work with wont touch a HDTV until they are less than $1000...and most of them wont even touch one bigger than 40".
They just can't handle a 50" set in their homes.

The Home Theatre thing is really a game for the young (at heart!)

Just keep in mind that you are likely to keep the TV longer than you'll be actively using the XBOX; TVs are generally 10+ year purchases. So unless you're dumping the TV in a couple of years, you'll be using it with the 360 and the *next* XBOX. Given the small price differential between 1080 and 720 sets, you might as well go whole hog and be ready for the next decade of gaming. :)


Great point.

Never thought of ita that way.. Glad 1080p is already in the bag.