720p vs. 1080p HDTVs: 2009 update

[admin]

A few years ago I wrote a column about HDTV resolution and whether you should just buy a "standard" 720p/1080i set or pay the extra bucks for a higher-resolution 1080p set. The column was very popular, but people wanted me to update it as the market for HDTVs changed. So I did. The new column was called 720p vs. 1080p: The final word. Alas, it was probably a poor title, because folks asked me to update that one as well.

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-18438_7-10167069-82.html

[atifsh]

ill be gettin 32" for my room and will be connecting my xps 210 with it. ill be opting with 720p, as 32" 1080 is almost lower end 42"

[rago88]

good article...

seems like 42"-50" or lower is the sweet spot for not being concerned about 1080P but people are people when it comes to numbers thinking higher is always better.
bluray being the deal breaker though.

We have Comcast Cable and a 42" Panny Plasma [1080i] and a 32" Panny LCD 1080i.
no over the air 1080P is in the near future for Comcast or any cable as far as I know so were set for many yrs.

[dr_ml422]

I swore I saw 1080p signal trying to download onto my analog flat screen wega sony, but like the article said it couldn't accept it. You mean Comcast themselves will not have 1080p, and all cable companies?

I'm not going to let happen to me w/my analog set by not upgrading to the very latest set.

I learned my lesson. I don't want to have to upgrade in just a few years because I didn't go for the top.

[rago88]

From what I have read over the past year, No 1080P in the near future [if ever] for Comcast and I would assume cable in General.
maybe 3D in 10 yrs...

If Cable was going to broadcast it, I'm sure ComCast would be the front runner..

HD thru a good signal and a good HD tv is so much sharper than analog that maybe the powers to be feel 1080P which I assume broadcasters would have to re-up there end is not a night/day difference like analog vrs HD...
Broadcasters just don't throw a switch and out comes 1080P.

another concideration:
everyone benefits from going to a HD tv and getting 720P/ 1080i from broadcasters...
where as millions like my self with 50" or lower HD units will not see that much improvement and that also may be the deal breaker or no deal breaker since is not really a necessary and vital hands down improvement over standard 1080i.

[dr_ml422]

Hi rago. So essentially, 1080P is another flop or not so anticipated success like Blu-ray? I know Time Warner is as crappy and low as they get, and from what I've heard ComCast is not far behind. Is Time Warner or any other Cable company whose Digital set top box says 1080P on the front LED panel deceiving the public w/bogus information? Not that I wouldn't pass that by them, but it really seems odd they would go to those lengths.

If one decides to go the Blu-ray route then what? Will it look just as good w/out all the recommended requirements for hookups and display? I have to be honest I don't know much about this whole thing we're discussing so some solid answers or facts w/maybe a link or so would be great. Bottom line a HDTV is going to cost so I need all the available input to not regret my purchase.

I'm extending a invitation to all who can shed some more light on this.

Admin, since this is a area of much interest, can you pitch in and bring some more certainty to better elaborate and clarify all this? Thnx.

[rago88]

Is Time Warner or any other Cable company whose Digital set top box says 1080P on the front LED panel deceiving the public w/bogus information?

that just means the unit is capable of displaying 1080P
although not actually broadcasting same..

If I were to now purchase a Blu-ray player along with a new tv I would deffinitly go with a 1080P display....

I think all of what we discussed will be irevelant as more and more manufacturers are cranking out the 1080P tv's..

The tv itself does some upscaling but does it take it to true 1080P display when pulling in broadcasting?
I'm not sure it does..
'the only true 1080P i know of right now comes from a Blu-ray dvd media.
For a few hundred dollars more, I would just get the 1080P as the price difference is not bombastic...
As a current owner of 2 1080i HD tv's, replacing them with 1080P would be a waste of money at this time..

[dr_ml422]

that just means the unit is capable of displaying 1080P
although not actually broadcasting same..


By unit you mean the cable box or the TV? Must be the cable box because my tv's a Sony Wega Analog which could only accept the converted digital signal to be able to view it.

If Blu-ray's only thing of really displaying true 1080P, I don't know why all these different manufacturers are going towards making them, unless they're anticipating another format that will display 1080P. My prediction is Blu-ray will just remain a alternative format and not the sole governing piece of media they put their money on.

[rago88]

don't know why all these different manufacturers are going towards making them, unless they're anticipating another format

Do you remember before high def watching a small tv, say 13" or smaller and the sharpness always seemed to be better than your 32 or bigger" console tv?
remember how dull those big 55" rear projection monsters used to look?

Same goes for 1080i vrs P.

2 tv's side by side, 1080i, 42" and say a 65" or higher.
because of spreading pixels, the 42" was sharper looking than the 65" via 1080i.

Now, with 1080P, the 65" looks just as sharp as the 42".
It's the tv's ability to display 1080P resolution.. not the cable company's,,

that is your biggest reason for 1080P.
So, if your going to buy 50" or more, or plan on using Blu-ray, then by all means, go for the 1080P.