How important is 1080p?

[CMM]

I currently have a 32" 720p Samsung.

Do you think I should get a 1080p TV? How much better will my Blu-Rays look?

[SonyXBRtv]

Amazingly better. I bought my TV 2 years ago and that time 1080p wasnt that big of a priority for most people but I kept telling my dad that no we are getting 1080p no matter what...and we did and I think it was a great investment . I think 720p to 1080p is noticeable so that makes it worth it.

[kozumasbullitt]

Originally Posted by CMM

I currently have a 32" 720p Samsung.

Do you think I should get a 1080p TV? How much better will my Blu-Rays look?

the bigger the tv the more it will matter.

[CMM]

Okay, so do you think it's worth it for a 32"?

[GBMidge7]

If you're just going to get a 32" 1080p tv, it isn't worth the upgrade at all. As the above poster said, the bigger the tv the easier it is to notice. It varies amongst who you ask at what size 1080p starts to matter, but I feel like it ranges from 42" to 50" before it starts becoming a noticeable difference in detail. It also depends on how closely you sit to your tv... the closer you sit the easier it is to tell the difference, in general. I have a 32" 720p Samsung and I am perfectly happy with the PS3 for games and Blu-ray, the detail is amazing.

[SonyXBRtv]

Ya it only matters for bigger screens. Definitely not 32.

[CMM]

Thanks for your help.

[skygreenleopard]

yeah, definitely doesn't matter for a 32". Besides, it only makes a difference on Blus, and SOME video games (most PS3 games run at 720p, the back of the box shows you what resolution it defaults to).

Congratulate yourself on saving hundreds of dollars. It should only start making a difference at around 42"-46" at the distances most people have their TVs set up (say, 10 feet). Most people with a HT sit about 12 feet on average from their set. The following chart shows some of the recommended viewing distances where it will actually make a difference to have a 720p set vs 1080p.

http://s3.carltonbale.com/resolution_chart.html
As you can see, it usually starts making a difference in to 40"-50" range at normal viewing distances. The above poster is right - the difference is also subjective, but not at your TV set size.

Also, remember that for a lot of people, the media they watch most frequently is HD cable/satellite, which usually comes in at 720p or 1080i. Most cable services that have video on demand actually have a video quality worse than normal live 720p (for reasons stemming from problems other than only the resolution). Check out the following comparison:

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/art...the-comparison
It's a really good comparison that shows that you can have the best TV and still not get the best picture quality, all because of the source material. I watched One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest on Blu, and it didn't look as sharp as, say, Iron Man or Independence day (fuzzy film, 70s cameras, etc). 1080p wouldn't make a difference there. Looked beautiful, still, but it'd look just as great on your TV as my 1080p 40" set no matter how close I sit.

In sum, keep the following points in mind:

1) 720p vs 1080p will only make a difference with a high-quality source with the appropriate screen size and a viewing difference where you can actually notice the extra pixels. 32" is too small, so unless you're 5 feet from the TV, those smaller 1080p sets are kind of a ripoff.

2) Even if you could tell the difference, the media must be immaculate too (either Blu Ray or HD-DVD). Think of it this way in lame metaphor terms - say, 720p is 95% there to perfection, and 1080p is 100%. However, if the media you're using is only 80% there (like HD cable/satellite in 1080i, or a Blu Ray for a movie with poorer film quality), 70% there (a crappy signal) or 50% (DVD, Apple TV, or worse, standard definition TV), you won't be getting the "perfect" picture anyway.

Hope this helps, and enjoy the TV, man. Those Samsung sets are real nice.

[Blu Titan]

I personally will not purchase a tv less than 32 inches with 1080P resolution. However, I will not purchase a TV that has less than 32 inches.

[CMM]

Originally Posted by skygreenleopard

yeah, definitely doesn't matter for a 32". Besides, it only makes a difference on Blus, and SOME video games (most PS3 games run at 720p, the back of the box shows you what resolution it defaults to).

Congratulate yourself on saving hundreds of dollars. It should only start making a difference at around 42"-46" at the distances most people have their TVs set up (say, 10 feet). Most people with a HT sit about 12 feet on average from their set. The following chart shows some of the recommended viewing distances where it will actually make a difference to have a 720p set vs 1080p.

http://s3.carltonbale.com/resolution_chart.html

Also, remember that for a lot of people, the media they watch most frequently is HD cable/satellite, which usually comes in at 720p or 1080i. Most cable services that have video on demand actually have a video quality worse than normal live 720p (for reasons stemming from problems other than only the resolution). Check out the following comparison:

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/art...the-comparison

In sum, keep the following points in mind:

1) 720p vs 1080p will only make a difference with a high-quality source with the appropriate screen size and a viewing difference where you can actually notice the extra pixels. 32" is too small, so unless you're 5 feet from the TV, those smaller 1080p sets are kind of a ripoff.

2) Even if you could tell the difference, the media must be immaculate too (either Blu Ray or HD-DVD). Think of it this way in lame metaphor terms - 720 p is 95% there to perfection, and 1080p is 100%. However, if the media you're using is only 80% there (like HD cable or satellite in 1080i), 70% there (a crappy signal) or 50% (DVD, Apple TV, or worse, standard definition TV), you won't be getting the "perfect" picture anyway.

Hope this helps, and enjoy the TV, man.

Thanks for that post, it was very helpful. If you could look in my other thread as well, I'd really appreciate it.

[supaflyz]

It doesn't change that much. I have a samsung LN52A650 now. I use to have a 70 inch sony rear projection tv that can go 720p (768p). I'm sitting at the same spot from before which is about 7 feet. What I do notice is when they zoom into the face of the characters I notice more sweat. The letters are also more clear. However, the rest you be hard to find the differences. When your hook into a movie, you don't take time out to try to find every little thing on the picture. If you have a 720p television now, you mine as well keep it. I miss my big screen for watching football lol.

[Loris]

Can someone answer me on this: I have a LG 42 LCD2D....it takes only 1080i, is there a noticeable difference between 1080i and 1080p? Thank you.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Loris

Can someone answer me on this: I have a LG 42 LCD2D....it takes only 1080i, is there a noticeable difference between 1080i and 1080p? Thank you.

Depends on your eyesight, and how far away you are....

For most people.... me included, the difference is there, but really not that noticeable.... Look to the poster above who has two televisions......

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by Loris

Can someone answer me on this: I have a LG 42 LCD2D....it takes only 1080i, is there a noticeable difference between 1080i and 1080p? Thank you.

It depends on what you're talking about.

If you're talking about source, and the original is 1080p24, then there's no difference providing your TV deinterlaces properly.

If you're talking about panel resolution then there's no difference because both are 1920x1080

If you're actually talking about a 720p tv that can handshake with a 1080i source then there is no difference if the TV deinterlaces properly.

If you're asking whether a 1080i source will look better on a 1366x768 panel or a 1920x1080 panel then, providing the TV's have similar specs (ie - Pioneer PDP-5080FD vs. Pioneer PDP-5010FD) the 1080p will look better as it has better resolution...but if the TV's do NOT have similar specs (ie Pioneer PDP-5080FD vs. Sony 52" XBR4 LCD) then the difference is down to the TV's technology and in this case the lower resolution set will come out on top with scenes of motion resolution and overall PQ.

1080i and 1080p are the same resolution.

Originally Posted by skygreenleopard

yeah, definitely doesn't matter for a 32". Besides, it only makes a difference on Blus, and SOME video games (most PS3 games run at 720p, the back of the box shows you what resolution it defaults to).

Congratulate yourself on saving hundreds of dollars. It should only start making a difference at around 42"-46" at the distances most people have their TVs set up (say, 10 feet). Most people with a HT sit about 12 feet on average from their set. The following chart shows some of the recommended viewing distances where it will actually make a difference to have a 720p set vs 1080p.

http://s3.carltonbale.com/resolution_chart.html
As you can see, it usually starts making a difference in to 40"-50" range at normal viewing distances. The above poster is right - the difference is also subjective, but not at your TV set size.

Also, remember that for a lot of people, the media they watch most frequently is HD cable/satellite, which usually comes in at 720p or 1080i. Most cable services that have video on demand actually have a video quality worse than normal live 720p (for reasons stemming from problems other than only the resolution). Check out the following comparison:

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/art...the-comparison
It's a really good comparison that shows that you can have the best TV and still not get the best picture quality, all because of the source material. I watched One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest on Blu, and it didn't look as sharp as, say, Iron Man or Independence day (fuzzy film, 70s cameras, etc). 1080p wouldn't make a difference there. Looked beautiful, still, but it'd look just as great on your TV as my 1080p 40" set no matter how close I sit.

In sum, keep the following points in mind:

1) 720p vs 1080p will only make a difference with a high-quality source with the appropriate screen size and a viewing difference where you can actually notice the extra pixels. 32" is too small, so unless you're 5 feet from the TV, those smaller 1080p sets are kind of a ripoff.

2) Even if you could tell the difference, the media must be immaculate too (either Blu Ray or HD-DVD). Think of it this way in lame metaphor terms - say, 720p is 95% there to perfection, and 1080p is 100%. However, if the media you're using is only 80% there (like HD cable/satellite in 1080i, or a Blu Ray for a movie with poorer film quality), 70% there (a crappy signal) or 50% (DVD, Apple TV, or worse, standard definition TV), you won't be getting the "perfect" picture anyway.

Hope this helps, and enjoy the TV, man. Those Samsung sets are real nice.

Unfortunately there is some misinformation here.
1080i signals contain a 1920x1080 picture and if processed properly, providing you're not watching material shot interlaced which is almost always the case, will give you the same detail as a 1080p signal.

In terms of a source, following your metaphor, if 1080p is "100%" then 720p is 50%, not 95%, as 720p is half the resolution of 1080p.

[ssmith3046]

I'm really happy that I went from 720p/1080i to 42" 1080p. I was amazed at the difference of PQ. The only way to go, for me at least.

[dobyblue]

To further show why 1080p is the 3rd or 4th most important feature you should consider behind contrast, motion resolution, colour accuracy, etc., have a look at which of the seven sets won this HDTV shootout for 2008 that Home Theater Mag did.

http://www.hometheatermag.com/lcds/208hdface/

Of the 7 sets, 6 were 1080p and one was 768p.

The 768p set came out on top.

1080p is not the most important thing to consider when buying a TV. Far more contributes to the performance than native panel resolution.

[RAZGRIZ-1]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

To further show why 1080p is the 3rd or 4th most important feature you should consider behind contrast, motion resolution, color accuracy, etc., have a look at which of the seven sets won this HDTV shootout for 2008 that Home Theater Mag did.

http://www.hometheatermag.com/lcds/208hdface/

Of the 7 sets, 6 were 1080p and one was 768p.

The 768p set came out on top.

1080p is not the most important thing to consider when buying a TV. Far more contributes to the performance than native panel resolution.

I never even thought about that. Thanks for the enlightenment doby.

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by ssmith3046

I'm really happy that I went from 720p/1080i to 42" 1080p. I was amazed at the difference of PQ. The only way to go, for me at least.

From what make/model to what make/model? I'm sure you have a much improved picture, but more than likely it is due to many other factors than simply resolution.

[SellmeyourDVD]

Originally Posted by CMM

Okay, so do you think it's worth it for a 32"?

No.

A lot of people say 46 inch or bigger is optimal for 1080p

[dadkins]

Originally Posted by SellmeyourDVD

No.

A lot of people say 46 inch or bigger is optimal for 1080p

... at viewing distances of 8-10 feet.