1080p Below 40"

[Jesse]

I used the search function. Couldn't find what I was looking for. I'm not a forum newb or anything. Please point me in the right direction if my questions have been answered already in another thread.

I've searched for what seems like over a year now on the 1080p issue across the web and I have yet to find a definitive answer to my question. Can the human eye ACTUALLY discern 1080p from 720p on sets below 40"? Or perhaps not even below 50"?

The reason I ask is because I have absolutely no purpose now or in my future for a set larger than 40". Should I waste the money on a brand new 1080p 40" Samsung if I can't even see the difference? Or should I just go for a 720p model and save some money?

Here is what I'm eyeing, if you're curious: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1205537712071

[PBJblu-ray alltheway]

What size is the room your going to view this TV in.

I would like to know YOUR reason for not wanting anything larger than 40"

I purchased a 40" TV about a year and a half ago, and would like to know why you wouldn't consider something larger.

[mikejet]

You need to also take into consideration how far you will be sitting from the TV.

[bg_nyc]

With the rapidly falling prices of 1080p tvs, I don't think its a losing proposition to go with the full HD on 40".

I have a 42" 480p Panny that I purchased a couple years ago from Costco. It has an HDMI input, and I used it with my PS3 for about 2 months (while I saved for my dream TV). I was incredibly frustrated b/c It just didnt seem to be up to snuff. It was no better than DVD quality. Umm... thats because 480p is exactly DVD quality. I was watching blu's downconverted to DVD quality. Stupid!!!

I upgraded to a Sammy 52" 1080p in January and oh boy!! Believe me it makes a difference. Keep in mind that this was going from 480p to 1080p. If comparing 720p to 1080p, the difference wouldnt be so dramatic, but i'm betting you will see a difference that will make you smile.

When you get down to 32" or 27", then I think it really makes no difference between 720p and 1080p. But as another poster said, I would STRONGLY urge you to go bigger. I'm only about 12 ft from my tv, but i think the 52" is a perfect size. You'd be surprised how close you can comfortably sit to a 1080p TV when the source is pristine like Blu-ray. Warning - DVD is going to look like crapola. You'll be able to see every flaw and the DNR will drive you crazy!

Hope that helped.

[dadkins]

The common misconception is that you cannot benefit or see 1080p on anything smaller than a 50" screen.

BS!

It all comes down to viewing distance and viewing angle.
From 10 feet, yeah! Ya probably want a bigger screen.

Here, select 16:9 and input 40":

http://myhometheater.homestead.com/v...alculator.html



Neat tool.

[Old Bones]

When I went shopping for a new TV I thought "hmm" a 42" looks kind of small , maybe a 46" would be better , but after looking closely I settled for a 50" and I am glad I did. I can sit as close as 7 Feet with a blu ray , and it looks great.
So you might be sorry if you go too small , now if you will excuse me I'm off to buy Speed Racer

[Jesse]

PBJ

The room I'm in is about 20' X 12'. My current arrangement is with my TV on the long wall. Sofa in the middle of the room facing TV. I'm about 6-7' from 26" screen. Will be moving back a bit further if/when I get new set.

My reason for not getting a bigger set is because I will be moving back to Chicago soon for a job and apartments are both small and expensive out there. I will be living with room mates and will have a VERY tiny room (about half the size of current). 40" is overkill.

Bg nyc

Thanks for sharing. I'm not too worried about standard DVDs. I only watch my old foreign movies on DVD that probably won't ever go Blu. Besides, I've got an upscaler through VGA and DVDs really don't look so bad.

Dadkins

Thanks for the clarification. That's really the answer I've been looking for. Plus, that tool was extremely useful. Thanks much

Old Bones

Just got back from picking up Speed Racer. PQ is vivid and pristine but I'm sorely disappointed in no True HD or Linear PCM track.

Thanks so much, everyone, for your time and sincere answers. It is much appreciated! Get back at me!

[Septimus Prime]

I don't know who perpetrated the myth that the eye can't see 1080p, but it's nonsense.

[Mr. Hanky]

It's my own little conspiracy theory, but I suspect the height of the "720p is all you need" belief was during the time when plasma displays (and projectors?) were topped out at 720p before going to the ridiculous price tier. I know, I know...blasphemous! That's just what I observed.

[prankster]

instead, you should get the LN40A550 from Amazon. it is 1080p and $100 cheaper than the A530 (not to mention no tax in most areas and white glove delivery):

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-LN40A550-40-Inch-1080p-HDTV/dp/B001418W2C/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1221599106& sr=8-1

edit: the price on amazon is $1099 at time of post

[PanasonicPlasmaMan]

Originally Posted by prankster

instead, you should get the LN40A550 from Amazon. it is 1080p and $100 cheaper than the A530 (not to mention no tax in most areas and white glove delivery):

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-LN40A550-40-Inch-1080p-HDTV/dp/B001418W2C/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1221599106& sr=8-1

edit: the price on amazon is $1099 at time of post

or the better Pan th42pz80u is at your local frys for only $999

[prankster]

Originally Posted by Circuit City

or the better Pan th42pz80u is at your local frys for only $999

yes, or the Pan. amazon is also selling this for $1099:

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-Viera-TH-42PZ80U-1080p-Plasma/dp/B00142MUDS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1221601859&sr =8-1

[owa]

The sticky: Helpful chart for choosing TV size/resolution has some good charts in it that relate size, distance and resolution.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=33462

One of them is here: https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...4&postcount=18

Originally Posted by dadkins

http://myhometheater.homestead.com/v...alculator.html

Neat tool.

Looks like I might have used that calculator for my setup. I couldn't remember where I got the distances from but after plugging in the numbers to that tool, it spit out what I was striving for and the range that I expected.

[Clark Kent]

With Blu-ray the dominant HD media, 1080P is here to stay for many years. If you want to future proof your equipment get 1080P. Prices have been falling on it and they aren't much more expensive than the lower resolution displays.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by dadkins

The common misconception is that you cannot benefit or see 1080p on anything smaller than a 50" screen.

That's because people seem to look at it as a binary: Can I see 1080p? Yes or no.

Benefit means that someone can see an apparent resolution >720p. How much of the 1080p they will see depends on how far away they're sitting.

It really should be turned around:

People should never sit closer to the set than the point where they can fully resolve the resolution.

How many people are sitting too close to a 720p set? I expect few are doing so with 1080p because you have to get VERY close.

Gary

[DeadDog]

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6449_7-6810011-1.html

Here's a review/opinion that really helped me to decide on what to buy. I might get in trouble here but I have a 50" 720p plasma and I love it. I do however sit more than 10 ft from my television so I can guarantee that I wouldn't be able to tell a difference even if I had a 1080p. Not to mention I wear glasses . The price difference nowadays was still big enough to sway me towards the lower resolution. I know that someday when I get a house I'll upgrade to at least 60" 1080p at which point the 50" will go in the bedroom.

Ultimately I feel that the decision should be based on how much you want to spend. I would think that if you can save $400-$600 bucks then that money would be better spent on a nice sound setup.

Also, It's an individual decision. If you know that if you buy a 720p, and will always feel it might be sub-par, then go for the 1080p. If nothing else than for the peace of mind.

[Jesse]

Thanks so much to everyone who has made suggestions. I really appreciate it. I should be buying a new set in less than a month, everything will be considered here. I've found more answers in this thread in less than a day than I have surfing the net for almost year.

I sincerely appreciate everyone taking their time to give their 2 cents!

[dadkins]

Originally Posted by owa

The sticky: Helpful chart for choosing TV size/resolution has some good charts in it that relate size, distance and resolution.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=33462

One of them is here: https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...4&postcount=18


Looks like I might have used that calculator for my setup. I couldn't remember where I got the distances from but after plugging in the numbers to that tool, it spit out what I was striving for and the range that I expected.

Quite welcome owa!

[zoon_ii]

i recently purchased a sony VAIO laptop 1080P capable blu-ray disc drive. this is soley as a portable source of movie viewing/entertainment.

as far as definition between SD DVD and BD, there's a HUGE difference, and i would guess to say that 1080i, (if the laptop were only 720p capable) would be noticable as well considering how close you have to view the monitor.

so yes, 1080p is ABSOLUTELY noticeable, if you're even a casual videophile. doesn't take a genius to notice the differences.