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1080p vs 720p on 42" Set

post #1 of 23
Thread Starter 
Sometimes I sit pretty close to the TV when laying on the couch. I hear under 50 it doesnt matter, but it the next 5-10 years will 1080p look even better or something? Like broadcasts in 1080p?
post #2 of 23
I say save the money and get the 720. In 5 years from now 1080 will be standard and 2k or 4K will be the new thing so you will want something different by then.

Click link and scroll down.
http://www.red.com/cameras/technology
post #3 of 23
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by BrownTown View Post

I say save the money and get the 720. In 5 years from now 1080 will be standard and 2k or 4K will be the new thing so you will want something different by then.

Click link and scroll down.
http://www.red.com/cameras/technology

interesting...but in 5 years will a 720 set be obsolete? Like will events probably be only 1080p?
post #4 of 23
Thread Starter 
I want a 40-42 inch TV...what is the best set then with a res at 720p?

Are there sets that look better but are 1080p?
post #5 of 23
Quote:
Originally Posted by cumbaya19 View Post

I want a 40-42 inch TV...what is the best set then with a res at 720p?

Are there sets that look better but are 1080p?

Among sets that are currently in production I would suggest the Panasonic 42px80u.

Yes there are 1080p sets with better PQ, look at the Panasonic 42pz800u.

No, I don't work for Panasonic. I just think they make great TVs.
post #6 of 23
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Buckeye911 View Post

Among sets that are currently in production I would suggest the Panasonic 42px80u.

Yes there are 1080p sets with better PQ, look at the Panasonic 42pz800u.

No, I don't work for Panasonic. I just think they make great TVs.

im going to be wathcing lots of bluray on this 42inch..will the 1080p look better?

I was also looking at the samsung PN42A450
post #7 of 23
Quote:
Originally Posted by cumbaya19 View Post

im going to be wathcing lots of bluray on this 42inch..will the 1080p look better?

With the 42" you would have to be viewing very close like well under 5feet to notice the extra details with 1080p.
Usually you should go to a larger size display like 50" for 1080p at more typical viewing distances of 6-8 feet.

I have a 46" 1080p Panasonic plasma display and normally view from almost 7 feet but have to move closer to see extreme details with high definition programming.
post #8 of 23
Quote:
Originally Posted by cumbaya19 View Post

im going to be wathcing lots of bluray on this 42inch..will the 1080p look better?

I was also looking at the samsung PN42A450

The Samsung is a very good TV as well.

Watching BDs on the 1080p Panasonic will look better than on the 720p Panasonic but it's not because of the increased resolution. It's because it's just a better display with better black levels, gray scale, contrast, etc...
post #9 of 23
if you sit 6" or less to the tv look for 1080p because on the 720p the screen door effect is noticeable.
post #10 of 23
Quote:
Originally Posted by cumbaya19 View Post

Sometimes I sit pretty close to the TV when laying on the couch. I hear under 50 it doesnt matter, but it the next 5-10 years will 1080p look even better or something? Like broadcasts in 1080p?

1080p looks better RIGHT NOW with 480i/480p SD, 720p, and 1080i, and will look even better with a 1080p source.



Quote:


but in 5 years will a 720 set be obsolete? Like will events probably be only 1080p?

No, a 720p set won't be obsolete in 5 years (just as a 30-year-old Tube TV is not obsolete), but it will be considered old-tech. It will still work fine, but it won't look as good as a 1080p TV if you sit close enough to notice the difference, regardless of the resolution of the content you're watching.



Quote:


im going to be watching lots of bluray on this 42inch..will the 1080p look better?

If you sit close enough, then yes the 1080p model will look better than it's 720p counterpart. Even if you sit further away, the 1080p model will have better processing and a more natural looking image. I have a 42" 1080p plasma that i watch from 8 feet, and everything looks better than it does on my 42" 720p plasma does at 9 feet (in another room).


What you need to do is measure off your exact viewing distance(s) at home, then go to one or two stores with a decent HD feed and compare the two resolutions. Find a 42" 720p Panasonic TH-42PX80U and also find one of the 42" Panny 1080p sets nearby. Walk up to within a few feet of the 720p set and look at the screen door effect so you know what you're looking for, then slowly walk backwards until the SDE disappears to the point that you can no longer see it. Measure off that distance and see how many feet you are from the screen. For some people it goes away at only 5 feet, but to others like myself with different vision i can still see it at 10 feet and i hate it. Now go do the same test on the 1080p set and i guarantee you you won't see any sort of SDE beyond a few feet. If you can see SDE within your viewing distance on the 720p set, then get the 1080p set. It's that simple.
post #11 of 23
Just get 1080P and future proof it. Unless you get a pioneer in which case idk. I have the panasonic th-42pz800u and it is really good.
post #12 of 23
Quote:
Originally Posted by RandyWalters View Post

1080p looks better RIGHT NOW with 480i/480p SD, 720p, and 1080i, and will look even better with a 1080p source.



No, a 720p set won't be obsolete in 5 years (just as a 30-year-old Tube TV is not obsolete), but it will be considered old-tech. It will still work fine, but it won't look as good as a 1080p TV if you sit close enough to notice the difference, regardless of the resolution of the content you're watching.



If you sit close enough, then yes the 1080p model will look better than it's 720p counterpart. Even if you sit further away, the 1080p model will have better processing and a more natural looking image. I have a 42" 1080p plasma that i watch from 8 feet, and everything looks better than it does on my 42" 720p plasma does at 9 feet (in another room).


What you need to do is measure off your exact viewing distance(s) at home, then go to one or two stores with a decent HD feed and compare the two resolutions. Find a 42" 720p Panasonic TH-42PX80U and also find one of the 42" Panny 1080p sets nearby. Walk up to within a few feet of the 720p set and look at the screen door effect so you know what you're looking for, then slowly walk backwards until the SDE disappears to the point that you can no longer see it. Measure off that distance and see how many feet you are from the screen. For some people it goes away at only 5 feet, but to others like myself with different vision i can still see it at 10 feet and i hate it. Now go do the same test on the 1080p set and i guarantee you you won't see any sort of SDE beyond a few feet. If you can see SDE within your viewing distance on the 720p set, then get the 1080p set. It's that simple.

True, except for this part:
It will still work fine, but it won't look as good as a 1080p TV if you sit close enough to notice the difference, regardless of the resolution of the content you're watching.


SD will look better on a 768p plasma as there is less false info. to be made up.
post #13 of 23
1080p is a better format than 720. Do you need it? Maybe.

I play games on mine and sit really close, so I decided 1080p was for me. SD content looks mighty fine on it too, but poor quality content (HD or SD) does not.
post #14 of 23
Quote:
Originally Posted by flood222 View Post

1080p is a better format than 720. Do you need it? Maybe.

I play games on mine and sit really close, so I decided 1080p was for me. SD content looks mighty fine on it too, but poor quality content (HD or SD) does not.

Virtually all video games (360/PS3) are 720P.
post #15 of 23
Quote:
Originally Posted by Star56 View Post

Virtually all video games (360/PS3) are 720P.

No....they aren't.
post #16 of 23
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Star56 View Post

Virtually all video games (360/PS3) are 720P.

spot on...i know thats a fact.

Thanks for the help...will do the CC test
post #17 of 23
My vote is for the PX. I don't have the same vision Randy has.
post #18 of 23
i dont know about "well under 5' " for a 42', based on that chart people post alot, 6-7' i think is where you start seeing a difference at that size.
post #19 of 23
These are all ranked in order. This will give you an idea of what resolution factors into picture quality:

1. Contrast Ratio
2. Color Saturation
3. Color Accuracy
4. Resolution

Yes resolution pertains to sharpness and detail, but the other aspects will get you a much improved picture. I am not advocating that resolution should not be factored into picture quality, but it should resemble the last aspect that you should look at. There have been many tests and find that 1366x768 and 1024x768 to be as detailed as 1920x1080. However, some say SDE can be detected with resolutions under 1920x1080. Resolution makes a difference when used as a CPU display. 1080 is much sharper and text is much more crisp. On regular TV viewing the difference is small.

Chris
post #20 of 23
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vikinguy View Post

My vote is for the PX. I don't have the same vision Randy has.

So how can you be so sure the OP has the same vision as you? Maybe he has super-spidey vision like me
post #21 of 23
Quote:
Originally Posted by RandyWalters View Post

So how can you be so sure the OP has the same vision as you? Maybe he has super-spidey vision like me

I think that's something only you and Peter Parker share. We mere mortals are not so blessed.
post #22 of 23
Quote:
Originally Posted by creemail View Post

These are all ranked in order. This will give you an idea of what resolution factors into picture quality:

1. Contrast Ratio
2. Color Saturation
3. Color Accuracy
4. Resolution

Well since all the current Panasonics already have good contrast ratios, good color saturation, and good color accuracy, that only leaves resolution as the deciding factor. Also, the 1080p models have better processing than the PX80U but that's not even on your list. Why is it not on your list?

And all the Panasonic 1080p models have a better contrast ratio than the PX80U and the higher Panny models also have more shades of gradation so aside from the fact that the PX80U is a couple/three hundred dollars cheaper i really don't see any other reason not to buy one of the 1080p models instead.
post #23 of 23
Quote:
Originally Posted by RandyWalters View Post

Well since all the current Panasonics already have good contrast ratios, good color saturation, and good color accuracy, that only leaves resolution as the deciding factor. Also, the 1080p models have better processing than the PX80U but that's not even on your list. Why is it not on your list?

And all the Panasonic 1080p models have a better contrast ratio than the PX80U and the higher Panny models also have more shades of gradation so aside from the fact that the PX80U is a couple/three hundred dollars cheaper i really don't see any other reason not to buy one of the 1080p models instead.

Randy,
You are completely right. I like video processing to be under Contrast Ratio. You are correct on this...

Chris
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