HDTV advice

[ADifferentOkie]

I'm sure I'm not the only one planning to get my first HDTV with my tax return or even that rebate in the summer.
I've done some research, but I'm torn on whether to get 1080i or 720p. Based on what I've read, the first one is a better picture, but the second one is better for motion.
Also, where are the best deals?
Anything else you all think I should know?
Thanks for any help.

 

[MacDaddy]

If you're not planning on hanging it on a wall, rear projection is the best bang for your buck -- especially since Sony is phasing theirs out. We got a 50" 1080p Sony for $1,299 and it's spectacular.

 

[fishwrapper]

Actually depends if your getting an LCD or Plasma. Plasmas perform a bit better in motion, with the exception of the higher-end LCDs. Namely, the Sony Bravias.
The TV for you also depends on many factors. Like affordability, size, room size, primary usage and room lighting.

 

[WazzuGrad00]

Hardly anyone broadcasts in 1080-anything, so if you're planning on using it to watch a lot of TV, I'd go with the biggest 720p you can find. As stated above, rear-projection (DLP) is good way to get a little more value for the money.

But if you plan to watch a lot of movies, then make the step up to 1080p, don't bother with the 1080i. Of course, you'll have to buy a Blu-Ray player (I'd choose the PlayStation3 for that, it's a multi-tasker).

 

[Boom_70]

Here is a column with great overview of HDTV. I agree on what they say about Rear projection. It is the best value on market.

http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/31/clearing-up-some-of-the-confusion-over-hdtv/

 

[markvid]

Hardly anyone broadcasts in 1080-anything, so if you're planning on using it to watch a lot of TV, I'd go with the biggest 720p you can find. As stated above, rear-projection (DLP) is good way to get a little more value for the money.

But if you plan to watch a lot of movies, then make the step up to 1080p, don't bother with the 1080i. Of course, you'll have to buy a Blu-Ray player (I'd choose the PlayStation3 for that, it's a multi-tasker).

Ummmmm
NBC - 1080
CBS - 1080
HBO - 1080
Showtime - 1080
Starz - 1080

There is a lot in 1080

Ok, now that I've made my case on that, I'd say, yes, go 1080p, especially if you want to buy a blu-ray.
Also, it looks like Toshiba will be abandoning HD DVD within the next few weeks. They announced yesterday they are going to make a decision.

 

[dawgpounddiehard]

Hardly anyone broadcasts in 1080-anything, so if you're planning on using it to watch a lot of TV, I'd go with the biggest 720p you can find. As stated above, rear-projection (DLP) is good way to get a little more value for the money.

But if you plan to watch a lot of movies, then make the step up to 1080p, don't bother with the 1080i. Of course, you'll have to buy a Blu-Ray player (I'd choose the PlayStation3 for that, it's a multi-tasker).

Ummmmm
NBC - 1080
CBS - 1080
HBO - 1080
Showtime - 1080
Starz - 1080

There is a lot in 1080

Ok, now that I've made my case on that, I'd say, yes, go 1080p, especially if you want to buy a blu-ray.
Also, it looks like Toshiba will be abandoning HD DVD within the next few weeks. They announced yesterday they are going to make a decision.

That's 1080i, not 1080p.

TVs that are 720p, like my 50-inch Panasonic plasma, do reach 1080i, not 1080p.

That latter is only necessary if you want HD DVD or BluRay. Sports and TV do not broadcast in 1080p.

 

[markvid]

I know that, but you are ripping yourself off if you buy a 720p to watch broadcasts.

 

[fishwrapper]

Buy 1080. The HDMI output is better for both broadcast and DVD. Even if you equipment "ups" to 1080, for a couple hundred bucks, you will notice. Go into a store, and compare the picture. It's discernable.
Now, if you want to compare 1080i and 1080p, that's a different story.

 

[The Big Ragu]

FYI, There is no practical difference between a 1080i and 1080p set. First off, no one is broadcasting in 1080p and they won't be anytime soon because of bandwidth issues. So the only place it could theoretically matter is if you have HD DVD or Blue Ray. But even there it doesn't matter with the types of TVs most people are buying. The explanation is kind of technical, but 1080i and 1080p TVs both are displaying the same signal at the same resolution. The "i" stands for interlaced (as opposed to progressive) and interlaced pictures alternate the even and odd horizontal lines at a refresh rate of 1/30 frames per second. Only CRT displays can properly display an interlaced signal, though, and most of the TVs people are buying are LCDs, DLPs, Plasmas, etc. And those are all progressive type TVs, so they take the interlaced signal (and anyone broadcasting at 1080 is broadcasting an interlaced signal anyhow) and display it in a progressive type of resolution like 720p or 1080p. The net effect is that you can't you won't be able to tell any difference between the two. Same thing wit a Blue Ray disc... If you own an LCD or Plasma TV, it is reading the disc and giving you a progressive display anyhow. So it isn't worth sweating over 1080p vs. 1080i.

 

[markvid]

There is a difference.
Just as ABC and ESPN and Fox went 720p because progressive is better for fast motion of sports, etc. you can notice it on a 1080p vs 1080i set.

 

[The Big Ragu]

mark, I've watched both. And read a zillion tests, which of course are subjective. But even if you can find any 1080p output--and no one is broadcasting it, the FCC doesn't even recognize it yet--the human eye can not tell the difference. Cnet did one test a while ago where they lined up 5 TVs and watched one of the Mission Impossible movies. On many of the TVs, they could tell no discernable difference and the slightest increase in detail in near background images in scenes with long depths of field, but nothing anyone would notice unless they were really scrutinizing the picture to find differences. This observation has been mirrored by just about everything I have read. The Imaging Science Foundation, which consults for home theater manufacturers and trains video calibrators says that the most important thing when it comes to picture quality is contrast ratio, followed by color saturation and followed by color accuracy. Everyone pays way too much attention to these resolution questions. You're better off paying up for the higher-end 720p or 1080i TV that displays a better picture than you are worrying over whether it is interlaced or progressive, because no one is broadcasting at 1080p anyhow, and even if they were, your eye won't be able to tell the difference.

 

[patchs]

Ragu,
I am impressed with your knowledge. I have a 27-inch 1080i Samsung CRT HDTV.
Even with the small size, HD looks very good.
I can hardly wait to get a bigger screen.

 

[fishwrapper]

Ragu, there is one component you can discern between "i" and "p". HD or Blu-ray.
But you're spot-on about contrast ratio, saturation and accuaracy being very important.

 

[markvid]

mark, I've watched both. And read a zillion tests, which of course are subjective. But even if you can find any 1080p output--and no one is broadcasting it, the FCC doesn't even recognize it yet--the human eye can not tell the difference. Cnet did one test a while ago where they lined up 5 TVs and watched one of the Mission Impossible movies. On many of the TVs, they could tell no discernable difference and the slightest increase in detail in near background images in scenes with long depths of field, but nothing anyone would notice unless they were really scrutinizing the picture to find differences. This observation has been mirrored by just about everything I have read. The Imaging Science Foundation, which consults for home theater manufacturers and trains video calibrators says that the most important thing when it comes to picture quality is contrast ratio, followed by color saturation and followed by color accuracy. Everyone pays way too much attention to these resolution questions. You're better off paying up for the higher-end 720p or 1080i TV that displays a better picture than you are worrying over whether it is interlaced or progressive, because no one is broadcasting at 1080p anyhow, and even if they were, your eye won't be able to tell the difference.

I've seen both as well...I just think p handles fast motion better.
Difference in resolution? Nope, just less pixelation for fast movement.

 

[ADifferentOkie]

Thanks, Ragu, for some valuable insight.

 

[Boom_70]

I've read estimates that at least 50 % of tv watching population cannot see the difference between 1080p and 720.
Sony recomends that before you purchsase a 1080p set that you should have an eye doctor test your ability to pick it up.

 

[Mystery_Meat]

My trusty JVD 27-inch tube died last night. First gave me a gray screen with white lines in front of the picture, then nothing. So I suppose I'd better make the HDTV switch this week. I game a lot on mine, so should I be thinking LCD? Also, I have this tendency to sleep with my TV on because i'm scurred of the darkI have trouble sleeping if it's too quiet. To what degree would that affect its life expectancy? (it's only a bedroom set, so no chance of getting a projection TV).

 

[Diabeetus]

As for a cheap electronics place to buy em, check out Tiger Direct. Just make sure you carefully read the specs.

 

[Sam Mills 51]

I'm sure I'm not the only one planning to get my first HDTV with my tax return or even that rebate in the summer.
I've done some research, but I'm torn on whether to get 1080i or 720p. Based on what I've read, the first one is a better picture, but the second one is better for motion.
Also, where are the best deals?
Anything else you all think I should know?
Thanks for any help.

I would go with 1080i. I've tested both, and the picture quality with 1080i was noticeably better.

If you decide to go with a big-box store, do your analysis then order from either their online site or if someone here has another site that's a proven money-saver without sacrificing service, I'd highly recommend it. I made the mistake of buying my HDTV at a big-box store, noticed that the online price with the same company was $100 less and threatened to return it unless they refunded the difference.