How much better is 1080p than 720p? Is it worth the price?

[Armueller2001]

Well I'm in the market for a new HDTV and I can either get a smaller 1080p one or larger 720p one... whats the big difference? Also, they have HUGE LCD projection TV's pretty cheap that are 1080p as well, just not flat panel... is there a reason not to get one of these?

[Pacman]

If you're further than 5 feet or so away from your TV, you won't likely see a difference in 99% of the things you'll watch.

[neurotictim]

Depends, really, on your vision. My hearing is much more acute than my vision, I guess, because I don't really notice much of a difference between the formats - I notice a huge difference between non-HD and HD, but that's about it.

I bought a HD projector a few years ago - it ran me about $1100 from Circuit City - that works up to 1080i, and I use it for movies and games, and use my regular old CRT television for the news, Simpsons, that sort of thing.

If you've got the space, you may want to consider it. Including the screen and the cables, I probably spent $1400, but I have a 100" diagonal HD movie theater in my house now.

[Geoff St. Germaine]

First off it depends on what source you are intending to use with the TV. For broadcast TV sports and regular DVD viewing, a 1080p screen offers nothing that a 720p doesn't. If you're going to be using either Blu-Ray or HD-DVD and broadcast TV that is 1080i then a 1080p TV would give the possibility of a sharper image. Also, it depends how large of a screen you want as well as how far you intend to sit from said screen. I'm putting a projector into my HT this spring and it will be 1080p since I'm looking at a 120" screen viewed from about 8 to 10 feet.

[Armueller2001]

I'll be viewing mainly my PS3 on it, and HD broadcasts... I'd like to have the 1080p for extra clarity... whats the difference visually between say a 50" LCD Flat panel (1080p) and a 50" LCD Projection (1080p)... the latter one is usually about half the price, what gives?

[Geoff St. Germaine]

Generally the difference is going to be the off axis viewing. RPTVs (like an LCD projection TV) tend to have poor off axis viewing with reduced contrast, colour and brightness. LCDs have close to 180 degree viewing, meaning that the contrast, colour and brightness do not change much when you move off the axis of the TV. Also, DLP RPTVs can have what is called the rainbow effect. It really depends on how your room is setup as to whether the RPTV is going to be really bad for some viewers. The only RPTVs I've seen that would be acceptable to me and have pretty good off axis viewing are the Sony SXRD RPTVs and one other that may have been the Samsung LED DLP RPTV though don't hold me that. In fact, IMO, the SXRDs are one of the best values out there in big screen 1080p TVs. I'm intending to purchase one of the Sony SXRD projectors for my HT.

[Ericman197]

If it's a front projection then it will be awesome, but a little fatiguing to watch ordinary shows. I wouldn't use my front projector as my "main tv." Nor do I really like rear projection for anything. So if you just want one TV go for the regular LCD. Front projectors (onto the wall) are fantastic for movies though, for better or for worse my basement is now movie central.

[Toasted]

I spent a long time comparing 720 and 1080 screens with my PS3 and a demo reel for GTA4. The 1080 screens were visibly clearer.

[kserg]

by ~360p

Calculate how much money you paying per P
Then see how how 360p is worth
See is price matches... god, it's pretty damn easy... lazy people...

[Diggler]

I just bought a 50" plasma. I went with the Samsung HP-T5054, after a LOT of research it seemed to be a top leader in its class. Panasonic slightly led it, but a lot of it was because of speaker quality... I have surround sound anyways.

I looked at the same model, side by side, in 1080 and 720. If you really analyze it, you can see a difference. Casual watching, you're not going to nitpick that much. I didn't want to spend twice as much for a 10% better picture.

Plus, I'd have an ulcer buying a $3k TV that I know will be obsolete in 3 years. In three years, I'll move this Samsung into my bar/rec room and get something much better than the best current offering for less money.

I am sitting pretty close to the screen and have no problems. Get big.

I wasn't ready to get the LCD. They're almost there with the side viewing and motion blur, but I'll wait until they get that all figured out. Next one will likely be LCD.

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by Toasted

I spent a long time comparing 720 and 1080 screens with my PS3 and a demo reel for GTA4. The 1080 screens were visibly clearer.

I've had a 1080 Hi Def TV for over a year now and it is great with Sky's HD Channels!

But recently I bought a PS3 and all the games I've played so far, come up straight away and say 720 resolution!

Although I did watch the Blue Ray Final Cut of Blade Runner on it and that was very nice !

[fenderhutz]

My Panasonic 37inch Plasma is 720p/1080i and I couldn't want a better picture right now.

+1 on the fact if you are more than 5 feet away you aren't going to notice a huge difference.

[Diggler]

Rear projection TV bulbs burn out fairly quickly and can cost hundreds of dollars to replace. Most major manufacturers are discontinuing their DLP models. There's a reason they're cheap.

[Spikeh]

My 42" rear projection went just before Christmas - I've had it for about 6 years. Cost me £1400 when I bought it.

Gonna try to get it fixed, and sell it - was going to see it anyway and get a HD TV... I only play games on it (I have a massive console collection).

[jkritchey]

I've had a 47" 1080p TV for close to a year. I have never fed it a 1080p signal during that time. TV comes in either 720p and 1080i as others have said. Unless you are throwing in for Blu-Ray or HD-DVD there's no reason to go to 1080p now.

BUT...

This is a very fluid situation. Who knows what happens in the next 5 years. Blu-Ray players may come free with an oil change by 2010. If you can afford it in a model you like, why not. If not, you won't really be missing anything.

I have to say watching a normal progressive DVD player upconverted through my TV looks great. I see no value in moving to HD-DVD or Blu-Ray under the current market conditions. YMMV.

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by jkritchey

Blu-Ray players may come free with an oil change by 2010. .

They come free with a PS3 - NOW!!

[jkritchey]

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

They come free with a PS3 - NOW!!

And I may have to move to the UK to afford one....

[Bruce Lindfield]

I traded in my PS2 and a load of games and it cost me very little!

[mlowe]

720 is pretty good but using a good source like a decent br disc on 1080p is far better. I just moved from a 50" 1080i to using a 110" with an epson tw2000 only a few days ago and it arguably better than sitting in a real cinema.

if you use a good source it's worth it, otherwise don't bother just as the previous posts say.

[Diggler]

Oh, and think of this... no matter what you buy... 720 or 1080... you'll be happy. It will blow away anything you've ever owned before.