[zedrein]

Considering that most HD content out there isn't capable of 1080p, but all of it is capable of 720p, would you guys recommend just buying a tv with that resolution? Here is my reasoning:


1.) Most HD broadcasts can only achieve up to 1080i, none that I can think of make use of a 1080p signal.


2.) HD game systems: The XBOX 360 and PS3 do have some games that can do 1080p, but not all of them, that means the other games will have to be scaled up in a non-native resolution.


3.) Having 720p means that other non-HD sources, like an upscaling DVD player, won't have to scale up as much, therefore not distorting the picture as badly.


Basically blu-ray discs seem to be the only format that is FULLY 1080p image quality, the rest is hit or miss--with a native 720p set, none of my HD content will have to be scaled.


Perhaps I'm wrong, but this seems to sound reasonable to me, but I'd love to hear arguments to the contrary.

 

[SpeksETC]

1. That may be situation now, but TVs are expensive enough, its preferable not to switch them every couple of years so some future-proofing is necessary.

2. More importantly - http://www.engadgethd.com/2006/12/09...o-screen-size/

 

[gatorman]

Dish Network(and I assume Direct) is doing some limited VOD broadcasting in 1080p. You have to expect more in the future. It also seems to me that the 1080p sets seem to have more upgrades/improvements over the 720 sets.


Although there is no perfect method of future-proofing, at least until the newest latest and greatest technology becomes the new standard, we can be confident that manufacturers will continue to develop and improve products for the current "best" displays.

 

[joed32]



Quote:
Originally Posted by SpeksETC /forum/post/15395229


1. That may be situation now, but TVs are expensive enough, its preferable not to switch them every couple of years so some future-proofing is necessary.

2. More importantly - http://www.engadgethd.com/2006/12/09...o-screen-size/

I agree, 720p is fine for now but that may change in the coming years. If I were buying today I would go 1080p. I have a 1080i and a 720p and they're not old enough to dump so I'm stuck with them for quite a while.

 

[BeachComber]



Quote:
Originally Posted by zedrein /forum/post/15394996


Considering that most HD content out there isn't capable of 1080p, but all of it is capable of 720p, would you guys recommend just buying a tv with that resolution? Here is my reasoning:


1.) Most HD broadcasts can only achieve up to 1080i, none that I can think of make use of a 1080p signal.


2.) HD game systems: The XBOX 360 and PS3 do have some games that can do 1080p, but not all of them, that means the other games will have to be scaled up in a non-native resolution.


3.) Having 720p means that other non-HD sources, like an upscaling DVD player, won't have to scale up as much, therefore not distorting the picture as badly.


Basically blu-ray discs seem to be the only format that is FULLY 1080p image quality, the rest is hit or miss--with a native 720p set, none of my HD content will have to be scaled.


Perhaps I'm wrong, but this seems to sound reasonable to me, but I'd love to hear arguments to the contrary.

Lets see, roughly 90%+ of the HD content providers do 1080 and less than 10% does 720p (essentially 3 daily of ABC, 2 hours daily of Fox unless watching Kitchen Nightmares and Animation on Sunday , and their assorted cable offerings 24/7) - so you want to reduce your screen resolution by 50% because 100% is not 1080.....


smart move

 

[txrose]

This is size related. If you are looking at a new set at or above 40 inches, a 720p (768x1366) set represents a minor cost savings if available at all. At 32 or below a 720p is is a good choice unless your veiwing distance is going to be less than 3 feet. IMO the quality of the video processors in todays sets make the consideration of scaling a mute point as far as PQ is concerned.

 

[SpeksETC]

Size and distance related.


You first need to decide what size you want to get within your budget and how far you will be sitting away from it.

Then use the chart in the link above to see if you will even notice a different between 720 and 1080.


Even if tomorrow everything started being 1080, if you are sitting far enough away from it, you won't be able to notice the 1080.


I could be wrong, but I also understood that SD looks better on a 720 tv then on a 1080 tv, so that might be another thing to consider if you watch a lot of SD.

 

[walford]

I had a 1 megapixel camera years ago and could not print a 5X7 picture without looking grainy. Wheras 2 megapixel and higher cameras do a decent job with 8x10 pictures.

The same applies to TVs smaller screens can look fine with a 1 meagapixel 720p native resolution unit but larger screens or closer viewing distances will be less grainy and look better with a 2 megapixel 1080p native resolution unit especially when receiving/displaying either 2 meagapixel per frame 1080i or 1080p source video.

 

[drshady]

If the question is in regards of purchasing a TV I think for a few extra bucks now days you can get 1080P, right now 720P is great... unless you have a PS3 or Bluray player. Then in the near furture (2 years) based on my conversations with they (cable companies & sat companies) will be offering for an fee an upgraded package for another $15 or so per month that will provide 1080P.


With that in Mind and the fact that I have a HUGE bluray collection I would suggest going with a 1080P set.

 

[TONEMGUB]

I would also like more info on this, I'd like to see someday they start broadcasting in something even greater than 1080p

 

[xraffle]



Quote:
Originally Posted by SpeksETC /forum/post/15395229


1. That may be situation now, but TVs are expensive enough, its preferable not to switch them every couple of years so some future-proofing is necessary.

Wrong. You will not notice any difference between 1080p and 720p on TVs smaller that 40”. So, that “future-proofing” thing is total nonsense if you’re getting a small size TV. If your TV is 720p, then it will simply downconvert the 1080p signal to 720p. Nothing is going to change if/when they start broadcasting in 1080p.

 

[goaliebob99]



Quote:
Originally Posted by xraffle /forum/post/15407002


Wrong. You will not notice any difference between 1080p and 720p on TVs smaller that 40. So, that future-proofing thing is total nonsense if you're getting a small size TV. If your TV is 720p, then it will simply downconvert the 1080p signal to 720p. Nothing is going to change if/when they start broadcasting in 1080p.

Not totally true as that tv wont accept the 1080P signal. It will see the signal, but it wont know what to do with it and the TV will think that the signal is garbage and not display it.

 

[BeachComber]



Quote:
Originally Posted by xraffle /forum/post/15407002


Wrong. You will not notice any difference between 1080p and 720p on TVs smaller that 40”. So, that “future-proofing” thing is total nonsense if you’re getting a small size TV. If your TV is 720p, then it will simply downconvert the 1080p signal to 720p. Nothing is going to change if/when they start broadcasting in 1080p.

Funny, everyone can see the difference on my old 34" Sony CRT.


Perhaps its time for your annual eye exam?

 

[xraffle]



Quote:
Originally Posted by BeachComber /forum/post/15407299


Funny, everyone can see the difference on my old 34" Sony CRT.


Perhaps its time for your annual eye exam?

You can see when watching up close. But when you sit further back, you won't notice it. Do some research and you will see that buying a small 1080p TV is a waste of money.

 

[xraffle]



Quote:
Originally Posted by goaliebob99 /forum/post/15407228


Not totally true as that tv wont accept the 1080P signal. It will see the signal, but it wont know what to do with it and the TV will think that the signal is garbage and not display it.

Weird. My 720p TV downconverts 1080p signals.

 

[goaliebob99]



Quote:
Originally Posted by xraffle /forum/post/15407395


Weird. My 720p TV downconverts 1080p signals.

Whats the model number? Most likely the source is the thing doing the downconversion, not the tv, or the tv is such a newer one that it can accept the source and downcovert to 720P, but if its that new most likely it will be in 1080P. I dont know anyone who still makes 720P's (other than wallmart brands) and the ones on the market now have been there for a while.


BTW http://www.walmart.com/browse/TVs/_/...&catNavId=3996 (All but two of the TV's here are 1080P. So the walmart point is mute.)


Assuming the TV can accept a 1080p signal, it will be scaled to 720p. But that caveat is important: many older 720p HDTVs--and yes, even some older 1080p models--cannot even accept 1080p signals at all, in which case you'll get a blank screen. Thankfully, most newer HDTVs can accept 1080p signals.


To the OP read this

http://reviews.cnet.com/720p-vs-1080p-hdtv/

 

[hvs10trk]

It is better to upconvert than downconvert. Converting 1080 to 720 causes some quality loss even at the professional level.

 

[walford]



Quote:
Originally Posted by hvs10trk /forum/post/15408082


It is better to upconvert than downconvert. Converting 1080 to 720 causes some quality loss even at the professional level.

It certainly does since it eliminates over 1/2 of the detail in the 1920x1080 frames of either 1080i or 1080p broadcasts.

 

[BeachComber]



Quote:
Originally Posted by xraffle /forum/post/15407380


You can see when watching up close. But when you sit further back, you won't notice it. Do some research and you will see that buying a small 1080p TV is a waste of money.

i am well aware of the distance charts.


However, as stated, its not hard to tell the difference on my TVs - and most can easily tell the difference.


Others, such as yourself, might have a harder time.

 

[txrose]



Quote:
Originally Posted by xraffle /forum/post/15407002


Wrong. You will not notice any difference between 1080p and 720p on TVs smaller that 40. So, that future-proofing thing is total nonsense if you're getting a small size TV. If your TV is 720p, then it will simply downconvert the 1080p signal to 720p. Nothing is going to change if/when they start broadcasting in 1080p.

It is unlikely that 1080p will be broadcast OTA or on cable for many years. AFAIK no one includes in their specifications the compatibility with any HD broadcasts from their tuner other than 720p and 1080i since there is no 1080p being broadcast. Just because a set is compatible with 1080p from its HDMI or Component inputs doesn't mean that it can accept 1080p from its tuner. Certainly it is technically easy but that doesn't mean it has been included. All other sources of 1080p including DVD players, game machines, and satellite/Fios/cable set top box's will all have an option for 1080i and 720p in addition to the 1080p60 and 1080p24.