1080p vs 720p on 42" Set

Originally Posted by cumbaya19

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?

Originally Posted by cumbaya19

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

Originally Posted by cumbaya19

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

I was also looking at the samsung PN42A450

Originally Posted by cumbaya19

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?

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

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

Originally Posted by RandyWalters

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.

Originally Posted by flood222

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.

Originally Posted by Star56

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

Originally Posted by Vikinguy

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

Originally Posted by RandyWalters

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

Originally Posted by creemail

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

Originally Posted by RandyWalters

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.