32" 720P or 1080P?

If you arent going to use it for Blu-Ray or a computer monitor, there really isnt a need for 1080p on that small of a set.

Get the 1080p.

Like Sitlet mentions, she will not likely need the 1080p but it will come into use on two occasions. If she is using an HDMI cable, which she should be from the DVD player to the 1080p TV, it upconverts and you often will get a considerably sharper picture on the higher definition TV even if it only a standard DVD. I rent DVDs from Netflix, standard ones, not Blue Ray, and some have as sharp a picture as a Blue Ray because my TV is 1080p and I use an HDMI cable.

Second, if she ever uses a high definition cable box with the HDMI cable, the picture quality will be superior with the 1080p compared to the 720p set when watching TV.

Spend a little more, it is worth it.

I second this.

Will your daughter even know the difference?
At 32" all sources will look very good @ 720p native resolution.

If both TV's are at the same price (which I doubt), go 1080p.

720p for a 32 inch non-computer screen is fine
1080p is not worth the extra money for her usage

His daughter will notice the difference when she views DVDs provided she uses the HDMI cable. There is a big difference. 720p stinks, I have it on my kitchen set and it is tolerable but inferior to my 1080p set when watching standard DVDs.

How do you know she will know the difference?

Be that as it may... to upconvert SD DVD to HD resolutions, you have to use HDMI anyway.
So lets assume she will use HDMI.

And the bottom line is that it's still a 480i encoded DVD upconverted. So, upconverted to 720p/1080i is not a huge issue. If paying more to have that same SD DVD deinterlaced to 1080p native resolution, that's your choice.

I stress again... at 32", I'm sure the 720p TV will be more than adequate.

BTW...
Is your 720p kitchen set the same size as your 1080p set?

Generally, 1080p sets are higher end models compared to the 720p sets, which are nearly always entry level; therefore, overall build quality and PQ/features should be better on the more expensive 1080p sets, even if it is considered entry level for 1080p.

Generally, a 32" 720p set for a son/daughter is more than sufficient to watch TV, play games and watch SD/DVD's.

But, if you have an unlimited budget or are afraid your kids will think your are a cheapskate, I agree. Go for 1080p.

No, the kitchen TV at 720p is a smaller set.

The HDMI cable is dirt cheap, you can get a 3 foot cable on Amazon.com for $10, other places less.

Let me mention, there is a big scam with HDMI cables. They are priced to rip off many consumers, claiming better quality for some and charging excessive prices. Get the lowest price HDMI cables, a 3 foot cable costs around $10 and a 6 foot cable double the price, ~$20, figure double that for double the length.

If you take a cable line, without using any cable box, and connect it to a 720p set and a 1080p set the picture quality will be identical.

But, if you view DVDs using an HDMI cable on both TVs, the 1080p set will be clearer.

And, like I mentioned, if she should ever get a high definition cable box hooked up to the TV, she needs the 1080p set to get a super sharp picture.

No, at with a 32 inch set, unless you are sitting within 2 feet from the set, you won't notice the difference. And as the above poster said, upconverting a 480i signal with that size set, you wont notice the difference between 720p and 1080p.


Or Monoprice for 4 bucks.


This statement has many flaws. First, you are assuming the user is subscribed to cable. Second you are assuming the cable company is sending qam channels to the user. Third, you are assuming the tv has a QAM tuner. Fourth, the picture will be identical to what? Compared to an upconverted dvd, HD cable over QAM will provide a much better picture, as the source is HD. And of course there are MANY other factors, cable company compression, number of sub channels, etc.


Again, not in every case. It depends on the source disc, it depends on the type of dvd upconverter, it depends on the tv's internal processing, it depends on the tv size (which we have already said with a 32 inch set you really can't tell the difference).


You REALLY should just stop commenting on this thread, you are confusing the people reading it. This statement is COMPLETELY false. You do not "need" a 1080p set to be able to use a cable box. ANY tv will be able to accept a signal from a cable box. And in case you didn't know, ATSC TV maxes out at 1080i, so again, 1080p is not needed. And AGAIN, with a 32 inch set, unless you are less than a foot away from the screen, you will NOT notice the difference between 720p and 1080i.

Sitlet,

You are splitting hairs and seem to like to argue.

I am just trying to help out the OP.

I have hooked up a straight cable line to my 720p and 1080p sets and the picture quality is equal TO EACH OTHER. I am making the assumption the TVs are in good condition and modern, not relics.

I also never said you need a 1080p set to use a cable box. Go back and read my post. I said you need a 1080p set to get a super sharp picture when watching cable TV in addition to needing a high definition cable box as I mention in my first post.

The OP said his daughter watches Cable.

There are exceptions with anything but this OP is simply asking is there a difference in 720p and 1080p and I tried to explain when there is and when there is not a difference.

And yet again...
Let's assume alll HDMI cable connections. With a 32" TV whether it's "upconverted" standard DVD (480i) using HDMI (which is a must for upconversion to 1080i or 720p), a cable box (HDMI or component) set to 720p or 1080i or a gaming system (set to 720p or 1080i), you can't justify the cost vs. performance.

The only way a 32" 1080p TV would be possibly worthwhile (again... @ 1080p) would be if using a Bluray player/movies. (refer to post #2)

With larger sets... you may have a point. But personally (and I don't know how old the daughter is or how educated/critical she may about picture quality), I'd bet 720p native resolution will be fine. Especially if it's a gift.

A TV for a kid's room? Not sure how old is she, but I bet at some point she'll want to connect a PC to it, and this moment will come sooner rather than later. Not as critical for games, but higher res will be VERY useful for her. Web browsing, homework etc are a whole lot comfortable at 1920x1080. And if she decides to do any photography or video editing, the editor interfaces greatly benefit from more screen estate.

My vote would be for a "name brand" 720p (yes, guys, I said that) so she will have a reliable TV. By "name brand" I mean Sony, Samsung, LG, Panasonic, Sharp, or maybe even Toshiba or JVC. I'd stay away from brands that were once great TVs made in the USA and are now el cheapo models that may or may not last (RCA, Magnavox, Sylvania, Emerson, Westinghouse, etc.). I specifically chose not to put Vizio in either category.

Thanks moderator for deleting my last post. If it offended you I apologize. Read it again and you will see it is good advice for the OP. A sense of humor goes a long way.

Less than 40" 720p
more than 40" go 1080p

Actually, it may have offended several people, including me. Insensitive comments have no place on a public forum, even if you thought it was funny. I didn't.

I there is a remote chance it will ever double as computer monitor, it HAS be a 1080p.
I can about guarantee that you'll regret getting a 720.

+1

At 4 feet viewing distance, I have a 32" 1080P TV, Toshiba 32FT2U. At the store I compared 720P and 1080P side by side at 4 feet (my viewing distance), and 1080P made a noticeable difference.

Even at 6 feet there was a difference, albeit slight.

Thank you. I find it amazing that people with thousands of posts on the LCD flat panel board are giving out bad information. I practically was screaming to the OP to go with the 1080.

I originally visited this website on the DVD recorder forum and the people posting on this forum are experts, Citibear will blow your mind. People posting on this thread are giving out a lot of bad advice, not you.

as I see it, the only reason to get 720p when 1080p is also available in the same screen size is to save a little money

1080p. It doesn't cost that much more and if you game or compute it is the best resolution available.

720P stinks? What kind of 720p set do you have? and what kind of 1080p set do you have? Majority of the time from a normal sitting distance it would be hard to tell the difference between 720p and 1080p except for maybe with a blu ray player which the OP says won't be used.

Well, I have a Pioneer 720p set and a Samsung LCD 1080p set. Guess which one has the better picture when viewing the same HDTV program?

The OP said it would only be used for standard DVD's and cable. If you read my first post, I said if she isn't going to use it for a computer monitor, then 720p would be fine. Obviously the opposite of that is true, if she IS going to use it as a monitor, 1080p is the way to go. I did NOT give out bad information, if anything you are...


YOU are the only one on this thread giving out bad information.

Here's what I can say from the same experience: Our daughter has a 2009 32" 720p LG in her bedroom, and we later put a 2010 32" 1080p LG in her study (as our only child, we can spoil her at times). Both are fed AT&T U-verse (via HDMI) and have progressive scan DVD players (same player make and model in each room, connected via component). The 1080p set has richer color and somewhat finer detail, but that owes more to the fact that it has a significantly better LCD panel and more settings available to fine-tune the picture. Does the 720p set look inferior in comparison? Absolutely not.

As at least one other on this thread has pointed out, I would suggest that you look at the features and specs of the 1080p versus 720p set once you have settled on a brand. You may find other differences (LCD panel quality, audio, etc.) that differentiate the two and drive you toward one model or the other. Good luck -- if you find a quality brand with the features you want, I am sure she will love the picture either way!

The OP hasn't checked in since the original post. Not that it changes anyone's opinion, but perhaps not worth the debate(s) until everyone knows his/her requirements.