Blu-ray down converts to 720p discussion???

[TheRealBob]

Originally Posted by bootman

Guys, the issue is with these 1080i sets.
They accept a 1080i signal (like the pic shows above) but their native resolution is 720p. (actually most are 768p). The only true 1080i sets where CRTs.

So the issue becomes, is it harder for the set to take a 1080i signal and convert it to 720p (or 768p) or is it better to feed it a 720p signal to begin with from the player. (and the player itself is doing the conversion)

My dad has one of those goofy 1366x768 sets. I've often wondered whether it's better to send it 720p or 1080i. I think his PS3 automatically detected it as 1080i, since it does accept that as input, but it might be better to have it run at 720p. In theory it could get a little more information from the 1080i signal, since it's downscaling a higher resolution rather than (slightly) upscaling a lower resolution, but since it's so close to 720 resolution, the tiny amount of additional information present probably isn't worth it being in interlaced mode rather than progressive.

Originally Posted by bootman

The only way to find out what works best for your set (and to your eyes) is to try both and see what looks better to you.

Yes, I could have done that on his TV, I suppose. The only movie he had when he was setting it up was Galapogos, which is 1080i, so that was an additional element of confusion.

I'll have to do a few experiments the next time I'm over there.

Anyway, my TV is native 1920x1080, so my only worry is making sure I don't accidentally switch the HDMI input's mode from "JustScan" (no scaling) to "16:9" (some stupid overscan mode that scales it up slightly).

[Blugerz80]

Even if you set your 720p tv to 1080i it scales it to 720p. I think it looks worse in 1080i because when you have the tv downscaling it to 720p you get a shadow effect that gives it a horrible picture. So to all of you who set your tv to 1080i, set it back to 720p. The naked eye isnt going to notice much of a difference from each setting. To really be honest with you. I have a 1080p and 2 720p tvs and I put them side by side to see the difference and there isnt much of a difference until you get within 5 feet of the tv. Thats when you can tell the difference.

[Kryptron]

I have a 32" 720p Panasonic LCD. And i was using the 720p setting on my ps3 for a long time. I then switched it to 1080i and notice there was more detail on my bluray movies. So every set is different. My tv's downscaling seems to work better then the ps3's so there is no real answer you just have to try both settings and see for yourself.

[reiella]

Originally Posted by Phane

No... this isn't true.

Samsung HLP5063W 720p native DLP on a PS3 with HDMI. I selected 720p and 1080i from available resolutions (TV doesn't support 1080p) and pop 300 in and it runs at 1080i. If you WANT it to be downconverted to 720p from the start (like I do) you just unselect 1080i from your available resolutions in the display settings for your PS3.

I'd assume that if you were having issues, you could always deselect 720p from the available resolutions in your settings. The only downside is that some games might get rendered in 480p if you pick that option.

I think one of the above posters were thinking you were asking if it could downconvert to 720p, not if it would forcibly downconvert to 720p instead of 1080i.

Just chiming in here. The way it worked has changed about 2 times that I recall [the ordering of the resolutions for prefered output in the PS3 firmware].

So I can understand folks not really understanding it . The answer is always the same though, only enable the resolution you want to output as.

[gearyt]

Originally Posted by TheRealBob

You are mistaken.

First, you're forgetting there are two dimensions to this. 1080 resolution is 1920x1080, which is 2,073,600 pixels. 720 resolution is 1280x720, which is 921,600. So even if we accept your logic of only counting half the pixels since an interlaced signal only refreshes half the screen with each field, half of 2,073,600 is 1,036,800 pixels, which is still more than 921,600.

And I do not accept that logic. 1080i can run at 60 fields (half frames) a second. Since movies typically run at 24 frames a second, there is plenty of time to show all the pixel information split between two fields. In other words, you can show all the pixel information for up to 30 frames a second on a 60 fields-per-second interlaced signal. So there is no rationale for halving the resolution.

On the other hand, progressive video does look better than interlaced when there is motion, as the nature of the interlaced signal adds distortion (the comb effect, etc.) during motion since half the image moves at a time. So, depending on how sensitive your eyes are to this and how much motion there is in the movie, a 720p signal could look superior to a 1080i signal.

Anyway, as others have already pointed out, the PS3 will output in 1080i just fine.

Hey Crack, Great post.... Sticky time

[groovyone]

Trying to keep this from becoming another damn 1080i vs 720p discussion...

The PS3 will output 1080i now. Your friend is basing his comments on old firmware. It has been outputting 1080i just fine to my 1080i TV for some time now.

[Coastman49]

I am nearly ready to purchase the Pioneer BP-51F Blu-Ray Player. I have two TV's, one Sony new 720p(LCD) and an older Hitachi 1080 i(RPTV). Both have excellent picture quality form cable broadcast TV. I want to use the Blu-Ray on the larger TV of course. How much quality increase will I see over a upconverted DVD player and how much degradation will I see, by not having a 1080P set? In other words, is it worth me buying a Blu-Ray player?

[Coastman49]

Forgot to mention that the Sony 720P is a 32" and the Hitachi is a 57".

[CosmoKid]

Just play it on the bigger TV. 32" can not do Blu-ray justice unless you are sitting 4' from it.

[Opips2]

MEH!!

I like 1080p is highest resolution on T.V
I using 1080i on my T.V. was 6 old years.

[DeadDog]

Originally Posted by Coastman49

I am nearly ready to purchase the Pioneer BP-51F Blu-Ray Player. I have two TV's, one Sony new 720p(LCD) and an older Hitachi 1080 i(RPTV). Both have excellent picture quality form cable broadcast TV. I want to use the Blu-Ray on the larger TV of course. How much quality increase will I see over a upconverted DVD player and how much degradation will I see, by not having a 1080P set? In other words, is it worth me buying a Blu-Ray player?

Absolutely worth it. The 1080 vs 720 discussions are everywhere one here and people have varying opinions. But one thing is for sure, you won't find a single 720/1080i owner who is dissastified with the picture blu-ray produces.

I would definitely recommend it. The difference is very noticable and if you already like your cable hd broadcast, you will be blown away by blu-ray.

[Coastman49]

Hey thanks DeadDog and all the others. I will continue quest to get my Blu-Ray player next week. Thanks again.

[base]

Hy everybody.

I have a (i believe) a simple question.

So, i have a bluray movie, a file with the extension .m2ts,
which i believe is the default format for bluray movies.

When i play it on my TV, i think it scales down to 720p,
leaving horizontal black lines above and under the film.

However, when i play a true 720p video (1280x720),
the picture is complete from top to bottom, and i enjoy watching movies
like this, absolutely full screen.

Is there a way to convert the original bluray file (1280x720) to 720p,
keeping as much quality possible.

The file is roughly 20GB, and I play it using an external media player,
over USB (an external hdd).

Basically, I am searching for software capable of such conversion.

Thanks to all in advance.