Buying a 40-42" TV, will 720 p or 1080p be a big deal?

foycur · 11-26-2008, 11:30 PM

I'm new to the flat panel TV world, having an old CRT that is about to go tube up. I can fit a 40", maybe a 42", into my entertainment center. I'm looking for LCD, and have been reading articles and looking at TVs until my eyes bleed. I don't think I'll be buying the HD package from Directv, nor will I be buying a blu-ray anytime soon. I'm not that much of a videophile. I sit anywhere from 7 to 10 feet away from my set. I've looked at Samsung and Sony as my top two choices, so the questions I must ask those with more experience are:

1080p or 720p...will it matter with my set size and distance from screen?
120 HZ or 60 HZ....does it really matter?

If 720p and 60 Hz would be fine for what I want it, what is a decent set? Is 720 p even available anymore?

**PFC5** · 11-27-2008, 12:16 AM

Welcome to the forum!

From 7 feet 1080p could help, but only if you will be getting some HD sources to display on it. If you will likely never get HD services/players, then 720p would likely be your best choice since to will be an easier upscaling to the native screen resolution of 720p/768p than it would be to add pixels to get to 1080p.

That said, from 10 feet away with a 42" size, you likely wouldn't see much difference between 720p or 1080p if you did eventually get HD service of some kind.

Many people seem to want to keep old entertainment centers that were never designed for the larger screens we have available now. I know many wives/girlfriends must be accommodated in this regard with the WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor), but they should possibly be convinced to move on from that bulky entertainment center and consider the sexy, sleek, trim, new age look of a wall mounted thin display to show off. It IS the new age of the living room with these displays, and putting them inside a big piece of furniture will hide that sleek and sexy look.

Limiting yourself from getting the best display that is also the proper display for the room based on an older piece of furniture designed for when we could not get TVs this large should be avoided if possible. A first HDTV is likely the most expensive TV you have ever bought so why limit yourself on such an important/expensive purchase?

Hope this helps!

argyleman · 11-27-2008, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foycur

1080p or 720p...will it matter with my set size and distance from screen?
120 HZ or 60 HZ....does it really matter?

If 720p and 60 Hz would be fine for what I want it, what is a decent set? Is 720 p even available anymore?

Google for "1080p-charted-viewing-distance-to-screen-size". It shows visible resolution against screen size and viewing distance. You should find it helpful.

Sorry I can't post a real link yet.

foycur · 11-27-2008, 10:26 AM

PFC5, I laughed when you spent a significant amount of space on the WAF. I can say with a high degree of confidence that I have already assessed all my options, and I have to fit this TV into the space. The entertainment center was not cheap, I assure you, and is of the finest endangered hardwood. I simply do not see us getting rid of it. No worries, though, because in a few years I intend on moving this television to a side room and putting a 60" into the main viewing room, wherever we happen to live.

I really like the Samsung 40" LCD models (LN 650 series) but they don't seem to make a 42", so now I'm looking at Sharp and Sony for that particular size, unless someone tells me LG or toshiba really makes a nice display. Pioneer is simply too expensive for me. After careful measuring and analysis, I figure I can fit a 42" or a 46" with a thin bezel. The max I can probably fit in there is 42", maybe 42 3/4".

And I was just kidding about the endangered hardwood. Ha ha.

Loves2Watch · 11-27-2008, 10:59 AM

Toshiba makes an exceptional Regza 42" display. It would be worth your while checking it out. Mine is great and I have found no other current LCD panel that looks better.

**PFC5** · 11-27-2008, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foycur

PFC5, I laughed when you spent a significant amount of space on the WAF. I can say with a high degree of confidence that I have already assessed all my options, and I have to fit this TV into the space. The entertainment center was not cheap, I assure you, and is of the finest endangered hardwood. I simply do not see us getting rid of it. No worries, though, because in a few years I intend on moving this television to a side room and putting a 60" into the main viewing room, wherever we happen to live.

I really like the Samsung 40" LCD models (LN 650 series) but they don't seem to make a 42", so now I'm looking at Sharp and Sony for that particular size, unless someone tells me LG or toshiba really makes a nice display. Pioneer is simply too expensive for me. After careful measuring and analysis, I figure I can fit a 42" or a 46" with a thin bezel. The max I can probably fit in there is 42", maybe 42 3/4".

And I was just kidding about the endangered hardwood. Ha ha.

HA HA. Do you think we see that question about how to fit these new HDTVs in existing entertainment centers a lot and the reasons WHY?

Toshiba make excellent LCDs also so you should go check them out also, but I would avoid LG IMO.

foycur · 11-27-2008, 01:53 PM

I thank you for your inputs, and will keep the Toshiba 42" model that was mentioned in mind on my next foray to the outside world. My general impression is that Sony, while good units, appear to be overpriced, and the Sharp Aquos had some serious banding and inconsistency issues across the monitor. Has Sharp addressed this problem, does anyone know.

Loves2Watch · 11-27-2008, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foycur

I thank you for your inputs, and will keep the Toshiba 42" model that was mentioned in mind on my next foray to the outside world. My general impression is that Sony, while good units, appear to be overpriced, and the Sharp Aquos had some serious banding and inconsistency issues across the monitor. Has Sharp addressed this problem, does anyone know.

Yes, Sharp has addressed the issue. When choosing LCD TV's I always look at Toshiba, Sharp and Samsung first as they offer excellent PQ and more value for the money than Sony.

foycur · 11-27-2008, 02:57 PM

Alright......so I've upped my max screen size to 46". I knew this would happen.....

The one 46" television I REALLY like, the LN46A650, wont' fit in the space. However, taking your advice, I found a thin bezel 46" television made by Toshiba, the Toshiba REGZA 46RF350U. Prior to seeing the post on here, I hadn't even considered Toshiba. I read some reviews of this particular model, doesn't seem to be the greatest. Thoughts?

I think I may go back and check out the Sharp sets as well, I was sitting on the fence about it, but after seeing this post and a friend of mine tha tI called today (He's got a 52" Sharp and loves it) i'll have to reconsider.

Why, oh why, must I be tormented by choices!!!

And I went back and shared with my wife the WAF principle. We agreed that once we have a house with a basement, this one will go down there for the kids and we'll get our 60" plasma.

Loves2Watch · 11-27-2008, 03:02 PM

Well I don't know how reliable the reviews you read were but in any case I don't know of any particular problems with any of the Regza line currently and once adjusted properly (calibrated as should be done with any modern display) I think you would be in awe of the picture. Same could be said of the Sharp Aquos line. I just prefer the Toshibas for some reason, probably due to the fact of the great service mine have given.

foycur · 11-27-2008, 03:38 PM

I was reading the specs of the 46RF350U Regza set, and I saw an 8 ms response time. Were I to buy this set, would it be a concern with watching sports? And how does the set handle SD programming?

Loves2Watch · 11-27-2008, 03:44 PM

Both of the things you mentioned are inherent problems with LCD displays. Plasma TV's on the other hand, do not suffer from either. If you don't have excessive room light or light that shines directly on the TV screen, I would recommend a 42" Panasonic plasma instead as the picture is superior to any LCD TV. But is your heart is set on a LCD display, that is as good as any but may/will be subject to motion blur/smear and not have black levels as good as a plasma TV. Plasma TV's are also better with SD material.

As for SD material on a LCD TV, each and every manufacturer and model vary so I would suggest viewing some prior to making a choice.

Blintok · 11-27-2008, 04:08 PM

really depends on how you will be using the tv.
looks like just regular cable and dvd ..

you have a digital cablebox or satelite dish?

regular cable looks like crap on a 1080p tv

regular cable is broadcast at 852x480 and then the tv takes that
and upscales it to 1920x1080 .. just like blowing up a small picture makes it grainy and pixelated ..same for tv

until i moved my tv to its now computer monitor spot i had it set up under my older tv ..comparing the 2
(old= Panasonic th42px60(1024x768) connected via dvi-hdmi cable to a motorola hdpvr cable box

...new = sony 32xbr6 (1920x1080) connected to above box via component cables.

the regular (digital) cable stations looked much better on the panny
HD looked great on both of them... view distance was 8ft from both

point being you will be disappointed with the picture on a 1080p set unless you are using 1080p or at least 480p(dvds)

ps. the panny is main tv and sony is mainly computer monitor and part time tv. 95% of the time i am on digital cable or HD cable.

foycur · 11-28-2008, 09:42 AM

Wow, loves2watch must've been reading my mind, because for about the last half day I've been seriously considering plasma. I have avoided looking at plasma because I had read they were rife with problems, particuarly the high altitude issue. I live in Albuquerque, about 5,000 ft above sea level, and I heard the plasmas didn't do so hot at higher altitudes. And, I've got little kids, and I figured the plasma screen would get abused.

But, then I started reading about it, and these 2008 panasonic models seem pretty damn sweet. Apparently, their plasmas are rated to something like 8000 feet, and I don't forsee myself living any higher unless I go to Peru. They had a demo with someone bouncing a steel ball off the screen, so I'm not too worried about the screen getting abused. We don't have a very bright living room, and if it does get bright we just close the blinds. I like the idea of a sharper image, especially with SD. I figure even if I DO get HDTV through directv, I'm not going to notice the difference with a screen that size. Now, when I get my 60" that's a different story.

There's a 42" plasma panasonic on sale on amazon for 700 bucks, free shipping, no tax. I'm going to go put eyeballs on it at a nearby store and check it out.

I do appreciate everyone's input on my decision. Before I found this forum, I was sort of stuck in limbo. I feel better about my decision after having talked to experienced people.

11-26-2008, 11:30 PM	#1
foycur A couch and an HDTV to go please. Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 11	Buying a 40-42" TV, will 720 p or 1080p be a big deal? I'm new to the flat panel TV world, having an old CRT that is about to go tube up. I can fit a 40", maybe a 42", into my entertainment center. I'm looking for LCD, and have been reading articles and looking at TVs until my eyes bleed. I don't think I'll be buying the HD package from Directv, nor will I be buying a blu-ray anytime soon. I'm not that much of a videophile. I sit anywhere from 7 to 10 feet away from my set. I've looked at Samsung and Sony as my top two choices, so the questions I must ask those with more experience are: 1080p or 720p...will it matter with my set size and distance from screen? 120 HZ or 60 HZ....does it really matter? If 720p and 60 Hz would be fine for what I want it, what is a decent set? Is 720 p even available anymore?

11-27-2008, 12:16 AM	#2
PFC5 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 30,625	Welcome to the forum! From 7 feet 1080p could help, but only if you will be getting some HD sources to display on it. If you will likely never get HD services/players, then 720p would likely be your best choice since to will be an easier upscaling to the native screen resolution of 720p/768p than it would be to add pixels to get to 1080p. That said, from 10 feet away with a 42" size, you likely wouldn't see much difference between 720p or 1080p if you did eventually get HD service of some kind. Many people seem to want to keep old entertainment centers that were never designed for the larger screens we have available now. I know many wives/girlfriends must be accommodated in this regard with the WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor), but they should possibly be convinced to move on from that bulky entertainment center and consider the sexy, sleek, trim, new age look of a wall mounted thin display to show off. It IS the new age of the living room with these displays, and putting them inside a big piece of furniture will hide that sleek and sexy look. Limiting yourself from getting the best display that is also the proper display for the room based on an older piece of furniture designed for when we could not get TVs this large should be avoided if possible. A first HDTV is likely the most expensive TV you have ever bought so why limit yourself on such an important/expensive purchase? Hope this helps! __________________ Denon AVR-887 Klipsch RP-5 Pwred Towers (mains) (525 watts peak each 12"Subs) All Klipsch RC-25(ctr),(2)SS1(surr),(2)SS1(rearSurr) Toshiba (2)HD-A20,PS3,BD35 For SACD/DVD-A Samsung HD-841 Panny 50pz80u plasma SETTINGS RCA HD50LPW162 50"DLP w/HD2+ SA 3250HD 47" LCD+Yamaha5790+HD-A1(bedroom) Harmony 680 + (2) 670s (amazing remote/support) Game room with Onkyo receiver & B&W Speakers The_Cable_Game Take the high ground and be happier PSN: PFC5

11-27-2008, 10:59 AM	#5
Loves2Watch Ohmmmmmm Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: AZ, NM, TX, MX Posts: 15,819	Toshiba makes an exceptional Regza 42" display. It would be worth your while checking it out. Mine is great and I have found no other current LCD panel that looks better. __________________ Theater 1 - Panasonic PT-AE4000U, Draper Premier 119" 16:9 Projector Screen, Panasonic TH-85PF12U Plasma TV, 6 Conrad Johnson LP275M Amps, Anthem Statement D-2 Pre/Pro, 6 Thiel SCS4 Speakers, 2 REL T-1 Subs, Infinity Interlude 120S Sub, Simaudio MOON Orbiter Universal Disc Player, ELP Laser Turntable, 2 Dish Network ViP 622 DVR's, Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray Player, Onkyo DV-HD805 HD DVD Player. Friends don't let friends buy Korean brand TV's or Sony audio equipment.

11-27-2008, 03:02 PM	#10
Loves2Watch Ohmmmmmm Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: AZ, NM, TX, MX Posts: 15,819	Well I don't know how reliable the reviews you read were but in any case I don't know of any particular problems with any of the Regza line currently and once adjusted properly (calibrated as should be done with any modern display) I think you would be in awe of the picture. Same could be said of the Sharp Aquos line. I just prefer the Toshibas for some reason, probably due to the fact of the great service mine have given. __________________ Theater 1 - Panasonic PT-AE4000U, Draper Premier 119" 16:9 Projector Screen, Panasonic TH-85PF12U Plasma TV, 6 Conrad Johnson LP275M Amps, Anthem Statement D-2 Pre/Pro, 6 Thiel SCS4 Speakers, 2 REL T-1 Subs, Infinity Interlude 120S Sub, Simaudio MOON Orbiter Universal Disc Player, ELP Laser Turntable, 2 Dish Network ViP 622 DVR's, Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray Player, Onkyo DV-HD805 HD DVD Player. Friends don't let friends buy Korean brand TV's or Sony audio equipment.

11-27-2008, 03:44 PM	#12
Loves2Watch Ohmmmmmm Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: AZ, NM, TX, MX Posts: 15,819	Both of the things you mentioned are inherent problems with LCD displays. Plasma TV's on the other hand, do not suffer from either. If you don't have excessive room light or light that shines directly on the TV screen, I would recommend a 42" Panasonic plasma instead as the picture is superior to any LCD TV. But is your heart is set on a LCD display, that is as good as any but may/will be subject to motion blur/smear and not have black levels as good as a plasma TV. Plasma TV's are also better with SD material. As for SD material on a LCD TV, each and every manufacturer and model vary so I would suggest viewing some prior to making a choice. __________________ Theater 1 - Panasonic PT-AE4000U, Draper Premier 119" 16:9 Projector Screen, Panasonic TH-85PF12U Plasma TV, 6 Conrad Johnson LP275M Amps, Anthem Statement D-2 Pre/Pro, 6 Thiel SCS4 Speakers, 2 REL T-1 Subs, Infinity Interlude 120S Sub, Simaudio MOON Orbiter Universal Disc Player, ELP Laser Turntable, 2 Dish Network ViP 622 DVR's, Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray Player, Onkyo DV-HD805 HD DVD Player. Friends don't let friends buy Korean brand TV's or Sony audio equipment.

11-27-2008, 10:26 AM	#4
foycur A couch and an HDTV to go please. Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 11	PFC5, I laughed when you spent a significant amount of space on the WAF. I can say with a high degree of confidence that I have already assessed all my options, and I have to fit this TV into the space. The entertainment center was not cheap, I assure you, and is of the finest endangered hardwood. I simply do not see us getting rid of it. No worries, though, because in a few years I intend on moving this television to a side room and putting a 60" into the main viewing room, wherever we happen to live. I really like the Samsung 40" LCD models (LN 650 series) but they don't seem to make a 42", so now I'm looking at Sharp and Sony for that particular size, unless someone tells me LG or toshiba really makes a nice display. Pioneer is simply too expensive for me. After careful measuring and analysis, I figure I can fit a 42" or a 46" with a thin bezel. The max I can probably fit in there is 42", maybe 42 3/4". And I was just kidding about the endangered hardwood. Ha ha.

11-27-2008, 01:53 PM	#7
foycur A couch and an HDTV to go please. Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 11	I thank you for your inputs, and will keep the Toshiba 42" model that was mentioned in mind on my next foray to the outside world. My general impression is that Sony, while good units, appear to be overpriced, and the Sharp Aquos had some serious banding and inconsistency issues across the monitor. Has Sharp addressed this problem, does anyone know.

11-27-2008, 02:57 PM	#9
foycur A couch and an HDTV to go please. Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 11	Alright......so I've upped my max screen size to 46". I knew this would happen..... The one 46" television I REALLY like, the LN46A650, wont' fit in the space. However, taking your advice, I found a thin bezel 46" television made by Toshiba, the Toshiba REGZA 46RF350U. Prior to seeing the post on here, I hadn't even considered Toshiba. I read some reviews of this particular model, doesn't seem to be the greatest. Thoughts? I think I may go back and check out the Sharp sets as well, I was sitting on the fence about it, but after seeing this post and a friend of mine tha tI called today (He's got a 52" Sharp and loves it) i'll have to reconsider. Why, oh why, must I be tormented by choices!!! And I went back and shared with my wife the WAF principle. We agreed that once we have a house with a basement, this one will go down there for the kids and we'll get our 60" plasma.

11-27-2008, 03:38 PM	#11
foycur A couch and an HDTV to go please. Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 11	I was reading the specs of the 46RF350U Regza set, and I saw an 8 ms response time. Were I to buy this set, would it be a concern with watching sports? And how does the set handle SD programming?

11-27-2008, 04:08 PM	#13
Blintok High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 143	really depends on how you will be using the tv. looks like just regular cable and dvd .. you have a digital cablebox or satelite dish? regular cable looks like crap on a 1080p tv regular cable is broadcast at 852x480 and then the tv takes that and upscales it to 1920x1080 .. just like blowing up a small picture makes it grainy and pixelated ..same for tv until i moved my tv to its now computer monitor spot i had it set up under my older tv ..comparing the 2 (old= Panasonic th42px60(1024x768) connected via dvi-hdmi cable to a motorola hdpvr cable box ...new = sony 32xbr6 (1920x1080) connected to above box via component cables. the regular (digital) cable stations looked much better on the panny HD looked great on both of them... view distance was 8ft from both point being you will be disappointed with the picture on a 1080p set unless you are using 1080p or at least 480p(dvds) ps. the panny is main tv and sony is mainly computer monitor and part time tv. 95% of the time i am on digital cable or HD cable.

11-28-2008, 09:42 AM	#14
foycur A couch and an HDTV to go please. Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 11	Wow, loves2watch must've been reading my mind, because for about the last half day I've been seriously considering plasma. I have avoided looking at plasma because I had read they were rife with problems, particuarly the high altitude issue. I live in Albuquerque, about 5,000 ft above sea level, and I heard the plasmas didn't do so hot at higher altitudes. And, I've got little kids, and I figured the plasma screen would get abused. But, then I started reading about it, and these 2008 panasonic models seem pretty damn sweet. Apparently, their plasmas are rated to something like 8000 feet, and I don't forsee myself living any higher unless I go to Peru. They had a demo with someone bouncing a steel ball off the screen, so I'm not too worried about the screen getting abused. We don't have a very bright living room, and if it does get bright we just close the blinds. I like the idea of a sharper image, especially with SD. I figure even if I DO get HDTV through directv, I'm not going to notice the difference with a screen that size. Now, when I get my 60" that's a different story. There's a 42" plasma panasonic on sale on amazon for 700 bucks, free shipping, no tax. I'm going to go put eyeballs on it at a nearby store and check it out. I do appreciate everyone's input on my decision. Before I found this forum, I was sort of stuck in limbo. I feel better about my decision after having talked to experienced people.

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