Itunes 720p vs 1080p files

[Jake2104]

I have recently read that 720p files are better quality than 1080p, and upon testing this on captain America the winter soldier I found this to be surprisingly true. What is everyone elses opinion on this?

[GuyIncognito]

Is the "720" file larger than the "1080" file? Maybe iTunes just has them mislabeled. Otherwise there doesn't seem to be any logical reason why this is true

[Jake2104]

Originally Posted by GuyIncognito

Is the "720" file larger than the "1080" file? Maybe iTunes just has them mislabeled. Otherwise there doesn't seem to be any logical reason why this is true

Some 720p files are larger than 1080p on iTunes, but most are the same size, Im assuming this is due to the bit rate being the same on the 720p and 1080p why the 720p is better because the 1080p is bitrate starved.

[Scarface32]

Originally Posted by Jake2104

I have recently read that 720p files are better quality than 1080p, and upon testing this on captain America the winter soldier I found this to be surprisingly true. What is everyone elses opinion on this?

All I know is that I've seen Game of Thrones at both 720p and 1080p, and it definitely looks better at 1080p.

It also depends on your device, if you have the older Apple TV 2, it maxes out at 720p, so the 1080p file would have no effect. The Apple TV 3 has 1080p functionality, and the 1080p will look better.

Originally Posted by Jake2104

Some 720p files are larger than 1080p on iTunes, but most are the same size, Im assuming this is due to the bit rate being the same on the 720p and 1080p why the 720p is better because the 1080p is bitrate starved.

When Apple first made 1080p an option in iTunes, and I deleted my 720p files and re-downloaded the 1080p version, it did take up more space on my hard drive. I can't say for each and every movie, but for the majority the 1080p files are larger.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Scarface32

All I know is that I've seen Game of Thrones at both 720p and 1080p, and it definitely looks better at 1080p.

It also depends on your device, if you have the older Apple TV 2, it maxes out at 720p, so the 1080p file would have no effect. The Apple TV 3 has 1080p functionality, and the 1080p will look better.



When Apple first made 1080p an option in iTunes, and I deleted my 720p files and re-downloaded the 1080p version, it did take up more space on my hard drive. I can't say for each and every movie, but for the majority the 1080p files are larger.

The bit rate is hopeless for 1080p. In my opinion it is just a gesture. That's why I'm very nervous of 4k Apple tv.

[Benh911f]

As others have mentioned, it comes down to the bitrate. So although the file size of the 1080p file is generally larger, the bit rate is generally not a whole lot higher than the 1080p file, leading to the 720p file in some instances having a sharper picture in comparison.

[Krizzle1]

Its all about how they were encoded by Apple....
720p files use the Baseline profile and the 1080p versions use the Main profile

The Baseline profile is easier to decode for devices (less CPU intensive), the Apple TV 2 can only playback 720p files, so plays 720p by default :/

The quality varies from movie to movie, but yeah I think generally 720p versions are 'better'

I personally stick to 720p movies coz you can't really tell the difference on an iPad.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Krizzle1

Its all about how they were encoded by Apple....
720p files use the Baseline profile and the 1080p versions use the Main profile

The Baseline profile is easier to decode for devices (less CPU intensive), the Apple TV 2 can only playback 720p files, so plays 720p by default :/

The quality varies from movie to movie, but yeah I think generally 720p versions are 'better'

I personally stick to 720p movies coz you can't really tell the difference on an iPad.

Movies on a ipad? Think I just threw up a little.

[sodapop]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Movies on a ipad? Think I just threw up a little.

Just wait until the Apple Watch is released

[Krizzle1]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Movies on a ipad? Think I just threw up a little.

LOL, what's wrong with watching on an iPad

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Krizzle1

LOL, what's wrong with watching on an iPad

It's all kinds of wrong. It's an insult to everyone involved in the making of the film imo. This obsession with portable screens makes me sad for the world. Most of all, it makes me sad for my beloved hobby, which is slowly being strangled by portable devices. What a shame.

[BJMRamage]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

It's all kinds of wrong. It's an insult to everyone involved in the making of the film imo. This obsession with portable screens makes me sad for the world. Most of all, it makes me sad for my beloved hobby, which is slowly being strangled by portable devices. What a shame.

But watching on an iPad brings back memories of my parents' (separately when they were each a youngster) talking of the B&W TVs they had. they were smaller than 10 inches, maybe closer to 5-6 inches or like an adult hand, and they had a large magnifying glass in front to make it a little larger so they could sit a little further away.

I haven't watched too many movies on my iPad, and sometimes have watched TV shows (Breaking Bad) when my wife is either watching another show on the big TV or sleeping and I can watch with headphones.

[Steedeel]

[QUOTE=BJMRamage;10569840]But watching on an iPad brings back memories of my parents' (separately when they were each a youngster) talking of the B&W TVs they had. they were smaller than 10 inches, maybe closer to 5-6 inches or like an adult hand, and they had a large magnifying glass in front to make it a little larger so they could sit a little further away.

I haven't watched too many movies on my iPad, and sometimes have watched TV shows (Breaking Bad) when my wife is either watching another show on the big TV or sleeping and I can watch with headphones.[/

Just say no guys!