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Go 1080p even with 720p content?

post #1 of 12
7/27/07 at 9:48pm
Thread Starter 
I plan on using my plasma for mostly gaming and downloading movies from Xbox Live maretplace. Thing is, all the games and movies are displayed in 720p. Will there be any advantage to going with a 1080p display in this case?

Perhaps it will upscale everything to 1080p and it will look a little better than it otherwise would on a 1366x768 native plasma?

Just wondering, because if not, I figure I might as well just save the money and go with a 768p plasma.
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post #2 of 12
7/28/07 at 11:00am
There are many threads on this topic. The resolution of a TV is only part of the quality equation, and it is not the most important part.

Size and viewing distance are an important factor. With a 42" viewed at more than 7' the human eye cannot discern the difference between 1080 and 720 pixels. The 1080p set may provide a better picture, but if so, it's likely due to superior processing than increased resolution.

There is no benefit to upscaling. A TV cannot create detail where none exists. A 720p picture is unlikely to look any better on a 1080p set than a 768p set. One might argue it would look better on a 768p because the set needs to do less processing. However, again, it comes down to the TV processing, size, and viewing distance. 1080p may look better on larger TVs at closer distances due to lack of screen door effect (SDE).

Personally I think 1080p is overhyped. On a 60" display it is important. On smaller displays it is less important unless you sit very close. And, a 768p set with superior technology and processing (like the 8G Pioneers) might look better than a comparably sized 1080p set when viewing like content.
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post #3 of 12
7/28/07 at 11:03am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by RaveD View Post

There are many threads on this topic. The resolution of a TV is only part of the quality equation, and it is not the most important part.

Size and viewing distance are an important factor. With a 42" viewed at more than 7' the human eye cannot discern the difference between 1080 and 720 pixels. The 1080p set may provide a better picture, but if so, it's likely due to superior processing than increased resolution.

There is no benefit to upscaling. A TV cannot create detail where none exists. A 720p picture is unlikely to look any better on a 1080p set than a 768p set. One might argue it would look better on a 768p because the set needs to do less processing. However, again, it comes down to the TV processing, size, and viewing distance. 1080p may look better on larger TVs at closer distances due to lack of screen door effect (SDE).

Personally I think 1080p is overhyped. On a 60" display it is important. On smaller displays it is less important unless you sit very close. And, a 768p set with superior technology and processing (like the 8G Pioneers) might look better than a comparably sized 1080p set when viewing like content.

Well I plan to sit less than 5 feet away from the set. I'm stuck between a 50 inch 7G Pioneer and a 42 inch 1080p Panasonic.

Would it be worth it to go 42 inch 1080p in this case just for lack of SDE?
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post #4 of 12
7/28/07 at 11:11am
Quote:
Originally Posted by danman2424 View Post

Well I plan to sit less than 5 feet away from the set. I'm stuck between a 50 inch 7G Pioneer and a 42 inch 1080p Panasonic.

Would it be worth it to go 42 inch 1080p in this case just for lack of SDE?

Well I personally think 50" is way too large for 5'. I would go with the 42" set at that distance.
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post #5 of 12
7/28/07 at 11:43am
At 5 feet away save some serious cash on the TV and go with the 42 720p set. Put the savings into a good surround system or BluRay player....thats my 2cents.
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post #6 of 12
7/28/07 at 11:45am
Five to six feet is the sweet spot for a 42" 1080p set. Verify for yourself using this calculator. The Panasonic is perfect for you.
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post #7 of 12
7/28/07 at 2:22pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Macfan424 View Post

Five to six feet is the sweet spot for a 42" 1080p set. Verify for yourself using this calculator. The Panasonic is perfect for you.

Yes but the 42 inch will actually cost me a little more. So do you think the extra money is worth it if most or all of the content I'll be viewing is rendered in 720p?

The 360 has a 1080p setting by the way. I dunno if that makes the games or movies look any better, but I do know that all the games and movies are actually native 720p content.
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post #8 of 12
7/28/07 at 3:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by danman2424 View Post

Yes but the 42 inch will actually cost me a little more. So do you think the extra money is worth it if most or all of the content I'll be viewing is rendered in 720p?

The 360 has a 1080p setting by the way. I dunno if that makes the games or movies look any better, but I do know that all the games and movies are actually native 720p content.


What are the odds of you ever watching this set at 7 to 9 feet instead of 5 to 6 feet?
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post #9 of 12
7/28/07 at 4:33pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 6SpeedTA95 View Post

What are the odds of you ever watching this set at 7 to 9 feet instead of 5 to 6 feet?

ok the size of the two TVs is not the issue here. maybe I'll sit a little further back in the event that I get the 50 inch. I just want to know if there is any benefit to getting 1080p in my situation?
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post #10 of 12
7/28/07 at 7:23pm
The SDE that you would get is the most critical component of this, so the viewing distance does matter. I wouldn't get too hung up on whether the content is 1080 or 720.
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post #11 of 12
7/28/07 at 7:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by danman2424 View Post

ok the size of the two TVs is not the issue here. maybe I'll sit a little further back in the event that I get the 50 inch. I just want to know if there is any benefit to getting 1080p in my situation?

Thats why I'm asking if you're ever going to sit 7 to 9 feet away. If you're at 8 feet on a 42 definately go 720p.


I still think you'll be happier saving the cash and getting some surround sound to go with your new tv. I stand by my 720p vote even if it is a bit controversial.
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post #12 of 12
7/28/07 at 8:30pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by 6SpeedTA95 View Post

Thats why I'm asking if you're ever going to sit 7 to 9 feet away. If you're at 8 feet on a 42 definately go 720p.


I still think you'll be happier saving the cash and getting some surround sound to go with your new tv. I stand by my 720p vote even if it is a bit controversial.

I already have surround sound so I'm cool with that. The reason I'm looking betwen a 50 inch plasma and a 42 inch 1080p one, is because I want the display to have a native resolution of at least. 1280x720. Every 42 inch plasma besides the new panasonic is 1024x768. Which takes them out of the boundaries that I am looking for.

All I want to know is whether or not 1280x720 content will look any better on a 1920x1080 set. If not, then I suppose I may as well get a 50 inch plasma with a native res of just 1366x768.

Wanted to know if the upscaling makes the games and movies look better. Similar to the way upscaling 480p DVDs to an HD resolution looks a little better even though the DVD itself is not an HD source.
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