So is it worth it to get a 720p TV?

[Arc Lite]

Found a good deal on a 50" plasma. But it seems that the standard nowadays is going to 1080p. Wife and I don't plan on getting HD packages anytime soon, so I'm debating on sacrificing the 1080p for a larger size 720p.

Is this a dumb move?

Othwise, we'll probably get a 40" or 42" 1080p.

We'll have around $900 to spend.

[Sinn Fein]

We've got a 50" 720p plasma that we've had quite some time as well as a 37" 1080p LCD. The overall picture is better on the 37" even for non-HD content. At this point, I would try and save another $100-$200 if you want to get up near a 50" 1080p.

Otherwise, Newegg has a nice Samsung 40" 1080p LCD for $949 with free shipping.

[DonTheTrucker]

Yeah, I don't even own an HDTV and know that 720p isn't worth it if the size you're buying offers 1080p.

[CousinDave]

keep in mind that any 720p monitor will also display 1080i.

There are currently very few 1080p sources out there - basically unless you have Blu Ray or HD DVD and using a HDMI cable you won't get 1080p.

Direct TV only broadcasts up to 1080i, I'm pretty sure OTA is the same, I've heard that Dish Network will be offering 1080p.

But anyway, I'd still save up for a 1080p model - might take you an extra month or two, but you're going to have to live with this TV for like 5 years or so.

[Arc Lite]

Yeah, after looking around a little, it seems like the smarter things would be to get wait a little.

There's so much shit out there it's kind of confusing. I'm comparing different 1080p. And the contrast ratios are all over the place. One has a 50,000:1, another 1,200:1 and another has 35,000:1

We'll probably end up sacrificing a little size for 1080p and going for a 46". Regardless, it will be a huge upgrade from our 32" tube.

I'm just such a douche when it comes to this stuff. I get n rich and buy ASAP. Going to try to play it smarter this time.

Thanks guys,.

[frankjg]

If you dont need to hang it on the wall I'd strongly consider a DLP set. I bought a Samsung 50" 1080P rear projection DLP for just under $1K and love it. The picture is fantastic. The lamp will eventually burn out (2-3 years) so make sure you get the replacement plan.

[Beeman99]

If you dont need to hang it on the wall I'd strongly consider a DLP set. I bought a Samsung 50" 1080P rear projection DLP for just under $1K and love it. The picture is fantastic. The lamp will eventually burn out (2-3 years) so make sure you get the replacement plan.

Depends on the tv. I have a 52" LG DLP that is 3 years old, and it's still going strong, not one issue with the bulbs. Mind you, mine isn't on more than 5 hours/week on average

[lockjaaaaww]

Get the 50 don't be a pussy.

[PDX909]

Seriously, consider getting a cheap LCD TV for the daily stuff and a HD projector for the BD movies and occasional gaming session (ps3). I have a 32" tv, which is great for the kids and regular stuff but I throw a 120" image for the movies. Projector cost me $1500 and once you go that route, you never look back.

To throw a 120" picture you need about 14-17' feet between the projector and the wall. But whatever you can view it beats sitting in the cinema with the savages, and it's awesome for sports events.

[D.H. Jenkins]

720 sucks and so do plasmas.

You're better off waiting or spending a little more for a quality LCD.

[Myhairygrundle]

I have a 720 Panasonic 50 plasma. The HD picture is perfect. Unless you are a serious gamer or have a blue ray player, 720 will be just fine.

Seriously. Go to Best Buy and look at the difference, you really can't tell unless you are super picky. Save yourself a grand and pick this up

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9219062&type=product&id=1218061797099

[CougarHunter]

Plasmas are so shittily constructed they virtually have no RF shielding at all. They splatter all sorts of RF interference so if you listen to radio at all, don't plan on it with the tv on. Your neighbor's plasma will leak interference into your radio as well.

I'm surprised the FCC hasn't clamped down on this more. But then again FCC is code for incompetent.

[DonTheTrucker]

Plasmas are so shittily constructed they virtually have no RF shielding at all. They splatter all sorts of RF interference so if you listen to radio at all, don't plan on it with the tv on. Your neighbor's plasma will leak interference into your radio as well.

I'm surprised the FCC hasn't clamped down on this more. But then again FCC is code for incompetent.

The FCC is too busy protecting NPR stations that no one listens to from getting blown off the air by XM and Sirius units that are too strong to worry about something like TV's that affect almost every single American.

[Sinn Fein]

Plasmas are so shittily constructed they virtually have no RF shielding at all. They splatter all sorts of RF interference so if you listen to radio at all, don't plan on it with the tv on. Your neighbor's plasma will leak interference into your radio as well.

I'm surprised the FCC hasn't clamped down on this more. But then again FCC is code for incompetent.

That's all news to me. We've had a plasma TV for about 7 years. Google tells me that like almost everything else, there are two schools of thought on the subject and each has its supporters.

[CousinDave]

Seriously, consider getting a cheap LCD TV for the daily stuff and a HD projector for the BD movies and occasional gaming session (ps3). I have a 32" tv, which is great for the kids and regular stuff but I throw a 120" image for the movies. Projector cost me $1500 and once you go that route, you never look back.

To throw a 120" picture you need about 14-17' feet between the projector and the wall. But whatever you can view it beats sitting in the cinema with the savages, and it's awesome for sports events.


I'm planning on buying a new projector - I've been told Epson makes good 1080p projectors

[CousinDave]

720 sucks and so do plasmas.

You're better off waiting or spending a little more for a quality LCD.


How does 720 suck?

Other than Blu Ray and HD DVD you're not getting a 1080p signal

[burky79]

Seriously, consider getting a cheap LCD TV for the daily stuff and a HD projector for the BD movies and occasional gaming session (ps3). I have a 32" tv, which is great for the kids and regular stuff but I throw a 120" image for the movies. Projector cost me $1500 and once you go that route, you never look back.

To throw a 120" picture you need about 14-17' feet between the projector and the wall. But whatever you can view it beats sitting in the cinema with the savages, and it's awesome for sports events.

x2

I got a sharp that has 1080p, multiple inputs and now never have a debate when it comes to who has the biggest screen. 6'x9' pretty much takes the cake and the 1080p movies on the Bluray look better than most theaters.

AND

It was cheaper than anything above 50" at the time I bought it last year. $799 + $79 for a three year warranty at Sams.

AND

If you want the BIG picture - say for a sporting game in HD, take it outside and project it on the side of the house via a large cloth/tarp/etc. for the neighborhood sporting event of the year.
:)

[Death Metal Moe]

I had a 720 once. Then my dad got a job!

HA HA! 720 is for poor people!

[NoSurviivors]

keep in mind that any 720p monitor will also display 1080i.

There are currently very few 1080p sources out there - basically unless you have Blu Ray or HD DVD and using a HDMI cable you won't get 1080p.

Direct TV only broadcasts up to 1080i, I'm pretty sure OTA is the same, I've heard that Dish Network will be offering 1080p.

But anyway, I'd still save up for a 1080p model - might take you an extra month or two, but you're going to have to live with this TV for like 5 years or so.

A 720p screen will display 720p. it will not truly display 1080i.

720 isn't a bad picture. If you're willing to sacrifice for price, I'd say it doesn't make ya a bad person. 1080p capable is obviously the better display.

I personally don't care. My tv is 720p, LCD. works for me.

[CousinDave]

A 720p screen will display 720p. it will not truly display 1080i.




Do you understand the difference between interlaced and progressive ?

If a monitor can display 720p it can display 1080i.

[NoSurviivors]

if a monitor can display 1080 lines then it's a 1080 display. a 720 monitor cannot display 1080 lines. It doesn't matter whether it's progressive or interlaced. That's a completely irrelevant question.

Progressive scan pictures are better at any resolution. However 720p is not 1080i.

[CousinDave]

if a monitor can display 1080 lines then it's a 1080 display. a 720 monitor cannot display 1080 lines. It doesn't matter whether it's progressive or interlaced. That's a completely irrelevant question.

Progressive scan pictures are better at any resolution. However 720p is not 1080i.

you still don't understand the difference between progressive and interlaced.

Watch this:

Z-JXfyvlPh0

is 480p better than 1080i?
the answer is no, therefore progressive scan pictures are not better than interlaced at any resolution.

[NoSurviivors]

You're missing my point. There's no way that 480p will look better than 1080i. It's simple lines in resolution.

720p displays cannot reproduce 1080i.

Let's change gears and use 480 lines as an example. Are you trying to tell me that interlaced is a better picture than progressive at 480?

[Shaggz]

I say it's irrelevant. COD looks just as beautiful (if not better because my tv is of better quality than his) on my 720p than it does on my friends 1080p.
Say its better all you want, I think mine is just as good, and thats all that matters to me and my peepers.
and yeah, the others are right, unless you're watching a blu-ray movie through an hdmi connection, you're not getting 1080p anyways.

[D.H. Jenkins]

Oh, jesus christ.

Progressive scan TV's paint every line in order. Interlaced TV's paint every other line, then go back and fill in the blanks, which is why you get those annoying horizontal lines during fast movement.

The number (480, 720, 1080) represents the horizontal lines of resolution in your screen. The "I" or "P" indicated whether it's interlaced or progressive.

The best picture is 1080P. 720p may look as good or better than 1080i, but it is NOT the same fucking signal - it just looks a little crisper and smoother because it's progressively scanned while 1080i is not.

Here - there's a goddman graphic and everything:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_scan

[Arc Lite]

Well we ended up getting a 42" 720p plasma. (upgrade from a 32" tube). We couldn't really tell a huge difference between this 720p plasma and some of the 1080p that were $100 to $500 or more expensive. And it even looked better than a few.

It was $799 and after tax and the 4 year protection plan, we ended up dropping about $1,000 which was about what I wanted to spend

Anyway, we dropped the shitty local cable and got a great deal on an HD dish package. And now I finally understand all the hype about HDTV. Holy shit it fucking rocks.

Anybody still thinking about getting HDTV... Just do it already. You wont regret it.

[Death Metal Moe]

Getting HD on a HD ready TV for the 1st time is one of those "Dorothy walking out of the black and white house into the color world" moments we all experiences once in our lifetimes.

It' great.

[Death Metal Moe]

Oh, jesus christ.

Progressive scan TV's paint every line in order. Interlaced TV's paint every other line, then go back and fill in the blanks, which is why you get those annoying horizontal lines during fast movement.

The number (480, 720, 1080) represents the horizontal lines of resolution in your screen. The "I" or "P" indicated whether it's interlaced or progressive.

The best picture is 1080P. 720p may look as good or better than 1080i, but it is NOT the same fucking signal - it just looks a little crisper and smoother because it's progressively scanned while 1080i is not.

Here - there's a goddman graphic and everything:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_scan

Dude, you're stressing out. Chill, most people won't even notice the difference. We know there's a differece but most average folks don't have a discerning eye for that shit. And that's not a dig just the truth.

[Mindslayer]

Id definitely get the 1080p ready set, if only because if and when the eventual upgrade comes you'll be all set for Blu-Ray quality goodness.

And personally I think that 720p is just slightly better than 1080i.

[Smokezilla]

I picked-up a 42" Panasonic Vierra 720p plasma. . . I like it and would recommend it thusfar.

Check it out!

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-VIERA-TC-P42X1-42-Inch-Plasma/dp/B001SE4YQS/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

[Awful Me]

i went to all the stores and compared side by side.

I can't see any difference between 720p and 1080p.

I could tell that the colors and fast motion looked a lot better on Plasma.

When watching clips of football, and the QB would drop back and the camera would pan back quickly and then try to follow the ball down field the lcd looked almost grainy from the fast motion blur.

I just ordered a Samsung 50 inch 720p Plasma. It looked cleaner and crisper than all the others I looked at.

[Arc Lite]

I picked-up a 42" Panasonic Vierra 720p plasma. . . I like it and would recommend it thusfar.

Check it out!

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-VIERA-TC-P42X1-42-Inch-Plasma/dp/B001SE4YQS/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

We almost got that one. But the display model in Best Buy was kind of messed up. Not sure what was going on with it. So between the Panasonic and the Samsung 720p we looked at this one looked a little better to the wife and I. (I'm not saying ours is better... just looked that way with the two side by side.)

Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-PN42B450-42-Inch-720p-Plasma/dp/B001ULBPAM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1241228768&sr=1-1) ... Well shit, we would have saved $70 going through Amazon....

BestBuy (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9235259&type=product&id=1218064392359)

And I gotta go with what Moe said. HD is definitely like that. I can't imagine going without it now.