Help me buy a new TV-- how badly do I need 1080p?

[GoFlamesGo89]

So we've just moved, and are looking for a new TV (or two in the long run). Basically we have a small living room upstairs where we'd like a medium sized TV (32-40"), and eventually when the finances allow we'll have a proper home theatre setup in the basement with more bells and whistles.

So the question is for the living room set is, do I *really* need 1080p? I don't see ourselves really doing anything with Blu-Ray right now, and eventually the basement TV will be 1080p, so will the resolution be important for just watching live TV and the occasional movie off of a laptop?

On the one hand I feel like its probably worth shelling out extra 100 to 150 bucks just to have the capability, but on the other I'm not sure if its justified.

Any opinions? Feel free to also express any opinions on contrast ratios, brightness etc-- I have a feel for what the numbers mean, but I'd like some real life opinions on what is acceptable (eg. >550 cd/m2, or > 1100:1)

Thanks very much!

[3 Justin 3]

If you think you will never use it for Blu-ray then there is no need for 1080p. I would say to get just a 1080i one.

[Madman]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

If you think you will never use it for Blu-ray then there is no need for 1080p. I would say to get just a 1080i one.

Agreed - if you don't own a BluRay and don't plan on getting one, then 1080p really isn't worth it.

Another reason is the size of the TV you are looking at. Something that size would never really show you the benefits of 1080p anyway.

[HotHotHeat]

With all due respect to the above two posters, they're out to lunch. 1080p is the standard, and will only become more prevalent in consumer products in the next 5-10 years. I can tell you without any question that you will regret not getting 1080p. TV providers in the US are already offering HDTV signals for PPV in 1080p, Canada is just a matter of time.

It's like buying a 3wd SUV...

[photon]

Originally Posted by GoFlamesGo89

So we've just moved, and are looking for a new TV (or two in the long run). Basically we have a small living room upstairs where we'd like a medium sized TV (32-40"), and eventually when the finances allow we'll have a proper home theatre setup in the basement with more bells and whistles.

How far away are you going to be sitting from the TV?

For a small TV like that, if you are seated more than 5 feet away the difference between 720p and 1080p becomes less visible. Depending on your eyesight, at more than 10 feet you might not be able to see the difference at all on a high def source (Blu-ray will still put out 720p if you ever get that far).

Here's a rough guideline.



I disagree with HotHotHeat as buying something you'll never see doesn't make any sense to me.

However buying 1080p may future proof you somewhat if you change the use of the TV.. i.e. change it to being used a computer monitor down the road, or change your viewing distance so that the difference WOULD be visible, so in that respect it might be worth it.

Originally Posted by GoFlamesGo89

Any opinions? Feel free to also express any opinions on contrast ratios, brightness etc-- I have a feel for what the numbers mean, but I'd like some real life opinions on what is acceptable (eg. >550 cd/m2, or > 1100:1)

Thanks very much!

The problem with those things is there's no standard on contrast ratio for example, so you can't really compare them directly in a meaningful way. Better to get the best TV in your budget by looking at reviews, and buying from somewhere that you can return the TV to once you've lived with it for a few days (or buy two and return one, they LOVE that ).

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by GoFlamesGo89

So the question is for the living room set is, do I *really* need 1080p? I don't see ourselves really doing anything with Blu-Ray right now, and eventually the basement TV will be 1080p, so will the resolution be important for just watching live TV and the occasional movie off of a laptop?

The highest that is currently broadcast by any TV provider is 720 (i or p, I cant remember) and with the huge demand for more HD channels I don't see that changing anytime soon.

The rest depends on the movies you would be watching off your laptop and what the output on your laptop is. If you do not have HDMI/DVI output from your laptop, then it is outputting in SD anyway. If you do, then you need to consider the source of the movies/

If they are HD downloads/rentals from places like Netflix, Itunes etc then you need to check with them to see if they are in 1080p. If they are not currently, there is a much higher chance of them becoming 1080p sooner than TV broadcasts will.

If the downloaded movies are of 'questionable legal status' then it just depends on what resolution they were ripped at. Like legal downloads, sources like this will tend to migrate more towards 1080p as more people get BluRay drives in their computers.

Since you are planning on having a 1080p TV in the basement, I can't see why you would worry about getting one now, but if the price difference is only 100 bucks for a good quality TV, it might be worth it. Even if you don't plan on getting a stand alone blu ray player, your next laptop will almost certainly will come with the Bluray player as an option. if you get the 1080p now, it might make that option a worthwhile thing.

Another thing to consider is viewing distance. I don't remember the specifics but when I bought mine I had to consider the distance away I was sitting when I was watching it. Basicly, the further away you are the less it matters how high the resolution is. I am sure you can find a website that will help you figue that out via google.

edit: It seems photon covered the distance thing much better in his post.

[Madman]

Originally Posted by HotHotHeat

With all due respect to the above two posters, they're out to lunch. 1080p is the standard, and will only become more prevalent in consumer products in the next 5-10 years. I can tell you without any question that you will regret not getting 1080p. TV providers in the US are already offering HDTV signals for PPV in 1080p, Canada is just a matter of time.

It's like buying a 3wd SUV...

Quite tactful.

Let me guess, you are an electronics salesman. Futureshop or Best Buy?

Its not like we're telling the guy to buy an HD DVD player or a Betamax machine. Its a TV; and the last time I checked, TVs weren't going anywhere - 1080p or not. Buying a 34" or 40" 1080p TV at the premium they are at right now compared to their 720p counterpart, just to be prepared for what may be more prevalent in 5-10 years is a terrible way to buy a TV. (Just as the guy who bought a 34" CRT 16:9 Toshiba HDTV TV 10 years ago when they first came out and paid out the nose. But hey, at least he wasn't out to lunch)

Not to mention, (again), that at a 34" level the average consumer would be hard pressed to tell the difference between 720p/1080i and 1080p.

Buy a 720p TV, save your money and in 5-10 years when 1080p is more "prevalent", then you can buy the latest and greatest TV technology at that time.

[onetwo_threefour]

Originally Posted by Madman

Quite tactful.

Let me guess, you are an electronics salesman. Futureshop or Best Buy?

Its not like we're telling the guy to buy an HD DVD player or a Betamax machine. Its a TV; and the last time I checked, TVs weren't going anywhere - 1080p or not. Buying a 34" or 40" 1080p TV at the premium they are at right now compared to their 720p counterpart, just to be prepared for what may be more prevalent in 5-10 years is a terrible way to buy a TV. (Just as the guy who bought a 34" CRT 16:9 Toshiba HDTV TV 10 years ago when they first came out and paid out the nose. But hey, at least he wasn't out to lunch)

Not to mention, (again), that at a 34" level the average consumer would be hard pressed to tell the difference between 720p/1080i and 1080p.

Buy a 720p TV, save your money and in 5-10 years when 1080p is more "prevalent", then you can buy the latest and greatest TV technology at that time.

10 years ago!?!? I paid $1000 for a 30" 16:9 1080i Toshiba CRT HDTV in 2004...

But, it actually still looks great, even with Blu-Ray. I still love CRT's.

[photon]

Originally Posted by Rathji

The rest depends on the movies you would be watching off your laptop and what the output on your laptop is. If you do not have HDMI/DVI output from your laptop, then it is outputting in SD anyway. If you do, then you need to consider the source of the movies/

If they are HD downloads/rentals from places like Netflix, Itunes etc then you need to check with them to see if they are in 1080p. If they are not currently, there is a much higher chance of them becoming 1080p sooner than TV broadcasts will.

Also keep in mind that streamed or downloaded video sources like netflix and itunes may SAY 1080p, but in reality their compression is so extreme that the visual quality is far closer to SD than 720p or 1080p. You're not going to see any difference in quality from 1080p from those sources, the best way to make those look better is to sit further away

[kukkudo]

Originally Posted by Rathji

The highest that is currently broadcast by any TV provider is 720 (i or p, I cant remember) and with the huge demand for more HD channels I don't see that changing anytime soon.

The rest depends on the movies you would be watching off your laptop and what the output on your laptop is. If you do not have HDMI/DVI output from your laptop, then it is outputting in SD anyway. If you do, then you need to consider the source of the movies/

If they are HD downloads/rentals from places like Netflix, Itunes etc then you need to check with them to see if they are in 1080p. If they are not currently, there is a much higher chance of them becoming 1080p sooner than TV broadcasts will.

If the downloaded movies are of 'questionable legal status' then it just depends on what resolution they were ripped at. Like legal downloads, sources like this will tend to migrate more towards 1080p as more people get BluRay drives in their computers.

Since you are planning on having a 1080p TV in the basement, I can't see why you would worry about getting one now, but if the price difference is only 100 bucks for a good quality TV, it might be worth it. Even if you don't plan on getting a stand alone blu ray player, your next laptop will almost certainly will come with the Bluray player as an option. if you get the 1080p now, it might make that option a worthwhile thing.

Another thing to consider is viewing distance. I don't remember the specifics but when I bought mine I had to consider the distance away I was sitting when I was watching it. Basicly, the further away you are the less it matters how high the resolution is. I am sure you can find a website that will help you figue that out via google.

edit: It seems photon covered the distance thing much better in his post.

bell is going 100% 1080p with there hd channels by this summer using 8psk just like dish network has with there turbo hd.

[PsYcNeT]

I would recommend getting a 720p over a 1080i.

Interlaced just looks terrible with full motion video in comparison to progressive.

For real. Try playing a video game with the FPS capped at 30, then try playing it with the fps capped at 60. It's night and day.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

I would recommend getting a 720p over a 1080i.

Interlaced just looks terrible with full motion video in comparison to progressive.

For real. Try playing a video game with the FPS capped at 30, then try playing it with the fps capped at 60. It's night and day.

All LCDs and Plasmas are 720p or 1080p. The only 1080i TVs are CRT based and there aren't many of those still around. Oh yeah, I'm one of those with a Toshiba 30" 1080i set and it does have a great picture with no motion problems that cheap LCDs have. I also have a couple of LCDs and my next TV may be a plasma.

One of the differences with a 1080p set is it will have better all around measurements such as contrast and brightness or 120hz instead of 60hz.

One suggestion I'd make is bigger is better as the old days of watching a 27" from 10' away because you'll ruin your eyes, no longer applies and you should be looking for a theater experience with a big screen. Anyways go out to some big box stores and have a look from the distance you'll be watching the TV from and if your budget allows go for an LCD with 1080p and 120hz or a plasma from a major manufacturer such as Samsung, Sony, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or even Toshiba.

[LockedOut]

If you're thinking of hooking up a computer to the TV you should consider going 1080P.

[Esoteric]

I'd just buy a 1080p TV. You can find a 40-42" TV for under $1,000 from great brands (Samsung, Sharp).

[GoJetsGo]

Glad to see this thread as I'm in the market for a new TV.

For the space I've decided to go with a 42" and I believe I'm leaning towards 1080p.

My big question (hopefully some of you a bit more tech savvy can help me out with) is: Is there a big and noticeable advantage to having 120 hertz over 60 hertz?

The main purpose of getting the new TV is to get the BEST looking HD hockey possible. I have a shaw HD PVR, the propper hi def cables etc...

and I was told by a few people that the difference 120 hertz makes for watching sports (in specific) is a big difference.

There are a lot of 42" TV's hovering around the $1000 mark (1080p), but it seems anything that's 1080P AND 120 hertz is closer to $1500.

Can anyone comment on watching sports in 120 hertz and if it's a noticable enough difference to shell out the money for?

Thanks in advance fellas.

[kukkudo]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

Glad to see this thread as I'm in the market for a new TV.

For the space I've decided to go with a 42" and I believe I'm leaning towards 1080p.

My big question (hopefully some of you a bit more tech savvy can help me out with) is: Is there a big and noticeable advantage to having 120 hertz over 60 hertz?

The main purpose of getting the new TV is to get the BEST looking HD hockey possible. I have a shaw HD PVR, the propper hi def cables etc...

and I was told by a few people that the difference 120 hertz makes for watching sports (in specific) is a big difference.

There are a lot of 42" TV's hovering around the $1000 mark (1080p), but it seems anything that's 1080P AND 120 hertz is closer to $1500.

Can anyone comment on watching sports in 120 hertz and if it's a noticable enough difference to shell out the money for?

Thanks in advance fellas.

For sports you will notice a difference (Hockey, Football,Soccer) Movies you notice some difference for example an action bluray movie.

120hz have come down quite a bit i have seen 46 inch samsung for $1800, i payed $2000 for an 47 inch last may

at the end I say shell out a couple hundred bucks for 120hz especially when if watch hockey

[prarieboy]

A little off topic but does anyone have an opinion on what to set my cable box at?? Should the out put be set to 720P or 1080i?

I have a 52" 1080 P LCD Samsung at 120 Hz as well as a 50" Samsung Plasma at 720P.

Any comments would be appreciated.

PS it's a Shaw Cable box

[Shazam]

I find that the Shaw box's 720P output is terrible.

[TSXCman]

i was under the impression that unless you are using larger than 42 inchs, then 1080p is unnecessary.

[OBCT]

I know a guy who bought a 720p plasma two years ago thinking he'd never go Blu-Ray and wouldn't want any better for high-definition TV programming thru the life of display.

Just yesterday, he bought a new 1080p Samsung LCD w/ 120Hz to accompany a brand new PS3. Needless to say, he got bit by the upgrade bug. He's now enjoying Blu-Ray Discs and (although still extremely limited where we are) terrestrial HD television in full 1080p native resolutions. I don't know if you'd have similar second thoughts after going 720p, and I'm not even suggesting that you should. I just found it interesting that this guy was resolute on his 720p for about a year when he bought it, and then the regret (ie. upgrade-itis) slowly crept in.

It's a tough call, for sure. Me, I would definitely "splurge" on a.) 1080p resolution, b.) 120Hz refresh rate, and c.) top brand name manufacturer (different depending on plasma vs. LCD). Whatever you choose - have fun!!