HDTV - 720P or 1080P?

[EagleMoon]

I'm in the market to get a new tv, and have heard a lot of conflicting stuff about whether it's necessary to get 1080. It's not going to be any bigger than probably a 32", so how necessary is 1080? I do want to play Blu-rays on it, but with that small of a screen would the resolution even be noticeable?

[McHaven]

Nope, unless you're sitting over 20 feet away.

[SoonerMatt]

IMO you don't really notice a difference until your TV is bigger than 42".

[EagleMoon]

I keep hearing that to get the real good picture with Blu-rays you have to have the 1080. So that's not true? I'm sure they're trying to sell something, but just curious.

[Demon_Hunter]

Most people probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference between the two.

[BartmanPDX]

Originally Posted by Demon_Hunter

Most people probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference between the two.

+1. They both look great, even at very big sizes. At smaller screen sizes, both 720 and 1080 look terrific.

[EagleMoon]

I just don't want to spend the money if it's not really worth it. The 1080's are usually quite a bit more expensive.

[iamlowsound]

You can get a 42" LCD for under $500 these days (when you catch the right sale), I would never consider getting anything less than that.

lowsound

[EagleMoon]

Originally Posted by iamlowsound

You can get a 42" LCD for under $500 these days (when you catch the right sale), I would never consider getting anything less than that.

lowsound

Really? Why? The tv I have now is a 27" regular tv, but it's several years old and doesn't have the HD inputs on back.

[EricF]

Once you go 42" (or bigger), you never go back. Even in a bedroom, 42" @ 1080 is just nice.

[EagleMoon]

Originally Posted by EricF

Once you go 42" (or bigger), you never go back. Even in a bedroom, 42" @ 1080 is just nice.

So do you recommend the 1080 over the 720 then? I'm not wanting to spend a bunch of money, but I want to get the best I can get for what I'm spending.

I don't really want to go over $500 at this point. So getting the best for what I can afford is what I'm after.

[tfernandez]

honestly, the difference between 720p and 1080p are so hard to notice that, if you're on a budget, you're better off just getting a higher quality 720p tv rather then a cheaper 1080p tv.

[EagleMoon]

Originally Posted by tfernandez

honestly, the difference between 720p and 1080p are so hard to notice that, if you're on a budget, you're better off just getting a higher quality 720p tv rather then a cheaper 1080p tv.

That's what I'm thinking too.

Anybody have any recomendation as far as models or brands?

[arbitrary]

I notice more of a difference with the 120hz vs. 60hz televisions.

[XtreO]

Afaik, 1080p isn't used for broadcasting television, so if you will be watching TV mostly, a 720p will be all you ever need.

[PSPookie]

Unless you get a really big TV or like to sit really close then most people are physically unable to tell the difference.

[Joey3313]

Whether or not it is noticeable to you is the question. Go to a store that has both and stare at 'em.

If YOU can't tell the difference/don't care about the difference, then go for it.

Whether or not we can is completely irrelevant to your situation.

[king_biscuit]

I would look at a tv with a 120h refresh rate and led backlighting, because those are very noticeable differences (improvements). That's going to get you in to 1080p, though. Look at it this way, you will probably have the thing ten years or so, so what is a few extra dollars now to get a tv that will look better longer.

[chicago_mike]

I would go with 1080p. Only because my 36" 720 is my pc monitor and I would prefer the 1080 resolution. Wich I will change soon.

[XtreO]

High hertz TVs makes my eyes bleed. I dunno why though, but check it out before buying one if that is what you end up with.