Blu-ray and 1080i

[drummachine]

I have a 51" 1080i Sony TV that is HD Ready that is about 3 years old. I'm wanting to get a Blu-ray player, but I am curious at to whether there will be a big difference between my 1080i TV and a 1080p Blu-ray player? Also what is a good reasonably priced Blu-ray on the market at this time that won't need a ton of firmware updates in the future? Would it be better to geta PS3 or a standalone BD Player? My TV has an HDMI input/output but my receiver does not. I know I can run the HDMI from my TV to the BD player and the optical out of my receiver to the BD player and everything should be in 7.1 right, as my receiver is a 7.1 model. Any info appreciated, Thanks

I have also read about the slow load time of BD players has this been corrected or has anyone had any problems with their player loading slowly.

[bootman]

Does gaming interest you at all?
If so a PS3 is perfect for you.
If you really do not want a console, then the next best player is the Panasonic BD-30.
It has fast load times and little disk issues.
For audio, you will be using just DD or DTS.
Your receiver will then either take the 5.1 from DD or DTS and add the extra 2 channels or take a 6.1 DD or DTS and add the remaining one.

If you want full uncompressed HD audio at 7.1, you will have to upgrade.

As far as your set, is it a true 1080i or a true 720p that can accept a 1080i input?
If it is a true 1080i set, set the output of the player to match.
If it is a 720p set, set the output of the player to that.
Either way, you will be pleased with the picture.

[elwaylite]

The PQ is amazing. I have a 720p tv and I went from an upconverting dvd player without looking back.

I'd recommend a BD30, PS3 or BD10.

All of them will need FW updates.

[corryzahn]

we have an LG 50" 720p plasma TV, and I want to get a blu-ray player...

But last night, I was told that if I didn't have a 1080p TV, it would just be wasting money. I can't believe that's true, does anyone have any thoughts on that? Was the guy just being a jerk and trying to sell me a NEW tv?

The one we have isn't even a full year old yet.

[elwaylite]

Its a proven fact, if you sit more than 8ft away and the tv is 50"s or less, you get very little from 1080p.

Im buying a new Plasma this summer, it will prob be a 50" 720 if that tells you anything. I sit about 11 ft away and am not wasting my money on 1080p.

Most newer plasmas can be fed 1080p and it will take it down to 720p. Dont worry about it.

As stated above, Im feeding 720p BD's to my 720p tv and it blows dvd's away.

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by corryzahn

we have an LG 50" 720p plasma TV, and I want to get a blu-ray player...

But last night, I was told that if I didn't have a 1080p TV, it would just be wasting money. I can't believe that's true, does anyone have any thoughts on that? Was the guy just being a jerk and trying to sell me a NEW tv?

The one we have isn't even a full year old yet.

don't believe that for a second!

[JPOPPEREZ]

which has the better picture is it 1080i or 720p i have a ps3 and right now its on 1080i and looks great but will 720p look better because its progressive or not let me know thanks

ps mad max looks amazing in bluray!!

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by JPOPPEREZ

which has the better picture is it 1080i or 720p i have a ps3 and right now its on 1080i and looks great but will 720p look better because its progressive or not let me know thanks

ps mad max looks amazing in bluray!!

faster moving scenes = 720p

sharper resolution = 1080i

[gvortex7]

720p is better for watching sports on TV and playing video games while 1080i is better for watching movies and regular TV shows/programs.

[HeavyHitter]

I still prefer sports in 1080i. (60A3000 SXRD)

[Lord_Phan]

Originally Posted by elwaylite

Its a proven fact, if you sit more than 8ft away and the tv is 50"s or less, you get very little from 1080p.

Im buying a new Plasma this summer, it will prob be a 50" 720 if that tells you anything. I sit about 11 ft away and am not wasting my money on 1080p.

Most newer plasmas can be fed 1080p and it will take it down to 720p. Dont worry about it.

As stated above, Im feeding 720p BD's to my 720p tv and it blows dvd's away.

If it's a proven fact then prove it, My eyesight can distinguish every detail at 20 feet.

Less detail and pixels on the screen is less details and picture on the screen no matter how you twist it. Now your 720p might not look as crappy from far away as it would from up close however, but from an equal distance 1080p still looks better.

[Lord_Phan]

Check your receiver, does it have Multichannel Analog inputs? If it does, buy a standalone, use the Multi-channel outs to your receivers Multichannel inputs
and you'll get lossless audio as if you had an HDMI connection.

SPDIF will not get you the best sound.

[elwaylite]

Originally Posted by Lord_Phan

My eyesight can distinguish every detail at 20 feet.

Sure it can.

Im not going to "prove" anything, go spend a couple of hours reading avs and some internet articles.

Time and time again, a 1080p 50" or smaller placed next to a 720p of equal size at over 8-10 ft shows MINIMAL at best. Most peoples take, not worth the extra dough, and I tend to agree.

Its a moot point anyways, most manufacturers will have only 1080p tv's soon. This argument was better suited for when they first came out. I will however buy a 720p tv over a 1080p if the price gap is still wide this summer.

[elwaylite]

Wet your appetite on this chart.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Lord_Phan

Less detail and pixels on the screen is less details and picture on the screen no matter how you twist it.

after a certain distance your brain will not distinguish a difference in the pixel resolution...it will seem to blend together. (in laymans term)

same reason why crummy 480i cable looks better (almost good even) at a distance, but like sh*t up close.

50" screen sitting more than 8-10ft, the difference between 1080p and 720p becomes greatly diminished and almost non existent...almost. Some people do have better eyesight than others.

[crackinhedz]

1080p charted: Viewing distance to screen size

"For instance in the Engadget HD lab, we sit around 10 feet away on our AOL-issued rolling chairs and we wouldn't see a picture quality difference if our 42-inch HDTV increased from 720p to 1080p."

[drummachine]

Thanks for the info guys. I have a couple of other questions. I'm looking at buying a new home theater system. What is better LCD or Plasma? I'd like to get a TV somewhere from 46" to 55" but not sure which would be better, the LCD or the Plasma. I have a Onyko 7.1 voice matched Receiver and Speaker Package which I really like. I will probably get a newer Onyko Receiver with the new audio surround options. I wouldn't mind getting a PS3, but I just didn't know how good of a Blu-ray player it was. I like Sony as I have a Sony TV now and would like to get a Sony LCD or Plasma to replace this TV. If I don't get a PS3 which Sony BD Players as well as TV's could you guys recommend. Thanks for all the advice.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by drummachine

I wouldn't mind getting a PS3, but I just didn't know how good of a Blu-ray player it was.

the PS3 is an excellent bluray player (as well as gaming console,media center, internet browser). I use mine strictly for Bluray movies. DVD's look sharp too.

as for flat screen...

I like Plasmas over an LCD... but for each I would say...

Plasma - Pioneer KURO

LCD - Sony XBR series

[bkbluray]

Originally Posted by drummachine

I have a 51" 1080i Sony TV that is HD Ready that is about 3 years old. I'm wanting to get a Blu-ray player, but I am curious at to whether there will be a big difference between my 1080i TV and a 1080p Blu-ray player? Also what is a good reasonably priced Blu-ray on the market at this time that won't need a ton of firmware updates in the future? Would it be better to geta PS3 or a standalone BD Player? My TV has an HDMI input/output but my receiver does not. I know I can run the HDMI from my TV to the BD player and the optical out of my receiver to the BD player and everything should be in 7.1 right, as my receiver is a 7.1 model. Any info appreciated, Thanks

I have also read about the slow load time of BD players has this been corrected or has anyone had any problems with their player loading slowly.

My dad has the same TV as you, and there is quite a difference in quality between DVD and Blu-ray on it. I would definitely get it.

As far as player choice, the PS3 is the best option if you're into gaming at all. Plus, it's future ready for firmware updates and the games coming out in the next couple years are going to be amazing. Metal Gear Solid 4 and Gran Turismo V alone will be worth the purchase.

[bootman]

Originally Posted by Lord_Phan

Check your receiver, does it have Multichannel Analog inputs? If it does, buy a standalone, use the Multi-channel outs to your receivers Multichannel inputs
and you'll get lossless audio as if you had an HDMI connection.

SPDIF will not get you the best sound.

If you go this route, make sure the standalone gives you the options to setup your surround correctly. (levels, size, distance)
Most AVRs do not do any processing on the analog outputs.

So to get all HD audio formats you will need a player that not only internally decodes all of the HD audio formats but also gives you the correct control over its analog inputs.

The only player that can do that now is the Denon 3800 for about $2k.
You can also wait for the Pannasonic BD-50 later this spring.