notice the difference between 720 versus 1080, not tech junkies

tomjohn · 04-21-2008, 05:48 AM

i am buying a hd set for my father. he is a perfectionist, but will he notice the difference between 720 and 1080. when i bought mine, it was 1080p or bust. my kids all bought 720's, and they seem to be happy with their sets. i have a westinghouse 37 inch, great picture, with a oppo 981. i will go to blu ray eventually, but the oppo does a good job on quality discs. i do business thru comcast, and i am satisfied with 1080 broadcasts.

Chris Gerhard · 04-21-2008, 06:29 AM

I don't think the difference between 720p and 1080p is discernible with less than 40" sets for most people. Other factors are as important, probably more so, but today I would only buy a 1080p set unless budget was the deciding factor since 1080p displays have come way down in price. Sure, you can get a 720p display for even less but 1080p is too common and too affordable now to avoid it for something less. Research and try to come up with the best deal on a good 1080p display and I think he will be happy.

Chris

MikeRox · 04-21-2008, 06:33 AM

If he is going from Standard Def then he will notice a vast improvement and doubtfull notice the difference between a 720p/1080i set and a 1080p set.

However given the prices for 1080p sets now, I'd personally suggest going for that. On rare occasions, most normally subtitles/text I can see the interlace in 1080i, but it's so small on a sub 40" set that it's unnoticible, and if you go up to 40" 1080p really IMO isn't that much of a premium now anyway, so depends what size screen you go for really, as to which you should choose.

Lee Stewart · 04-21-2008, 06:53 AM

It is also dependent on where one sits in relationship to the display. Sit further back (10 feet for a 46" to 50") and you will not see much of a difference with the exception of small "type."

bprewitt · 04-21-2008, 09:29 AM

I would also add that it depends on the quality of the TV set. A "budget" 1080p won't hold a candle to a 720p Pioneer or other high quality set. There are a lot of other factors that will feed into what makes a good picture.

Within a particular brand, I would expect to see some improvement between a 720 and 1080 model, but whether it's worth it will depend on the user. I ultimately landed on the Pioneer 50" and didn't want to pay the premium for 1080p. I haven't regretted it. Had I decided on the Panasonic 50", I probably would have gone with the 1080p models, as at the time I was looking the price difference within the brand was smaller than the Pio.

Good luck!

HD Goofnut · 04-21-2008, 09:42 AM

I have a 46" RP HDTV (1080i) and I sit about 9' away. I have a hard time discerning between 720p and 1080i, but I do notice a small difference. I suppose if I sat closer I'd notice a larger difference. I notice a HUGE difference between 480i and 1080i. Sometimes I use my 480i DVD/VHS combo player because I hate when an old DVD gets compressed too much and let me tell all of you it looks nearly bad as a VHS tape.

edders · 04-21-2008, 12:19 PM

ask you dad? Some people want the 1080 just because it is a higher number so it must "look" better. Others want to see and judge for themselves before choosing.

btw, don't think 720 will be around for much longer.

Ed

Blue_Red · 04-21-2008, 04:21 PM

I think we could put this 1080 720 thing to rest, here is the latest test!
"We spend a lot of time looking at a variety of source material on a variety of TVs in our video lab here at CNET's offices in New York. When I wrote my original article two years ago, many 1080p TVs weren't as sharp as they claimed to be on paper. By that, I mean a lot of older 1080p sets couldn't necessarily display all 2 million-plus pixels in the real world--technically, speaking, they couldn't "resolve" every line of a 1080i or 1080p test pattern.

That's changed in the last couple of years. Most 1080p sets are now capable of fully resolving 1080i and 1080p material. But that hasn't altered our views about 1080p TVs. We still believe that when you're dealing with TVs 50 inches and smaller, the added resolution has only a very minor impact on picture quality. On a regular basis in our HDTV reviews, we put 720p (or 768p) sets next to 1080p sets, then feed them both the same source material, whether it's 1080i or 1080p, from the highest-quality Blu-ray and HD DVD players. We typically watch both sets for a while, with eyes darting back and forth between the two, looking for differences in the most-detailed sections, such as hair, textures of fabric, and grassy plains. Bottom line: It's almost always very difficult to see any difference--especially from farther than 8 feet away on a 50-inch TV."

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6449_7-6810011-1.html

On a set 42 inches and under, you can safely say you threw your money away, 720 sets are supposed to show better PQ for SD as well.

jusHD · 04-22-2008, 05:29 AM

It comes down to the individual go to circuit city or best buy and see for yourselves. Many people have different eye sight and it makes a difference. I for one can tell the difference easily but I know others who can not. In my opinion go for the 1080p set. Circuit city has very good lcd 1080p sony and samsung sets priced very well right now.

iDarren · 04-22-2008, 05:41 AM

To the OP.

You say your dad is "a perfectionist". Well if that is the case and he has a sharp eye, he "WILL" notice the difference.

soupnazi · 04-23-2008, 12:28 PM

or at least he will "think" he notices the difference

jusHD has a good point about eye sight
Everyone is talking about how good the resolution is
What if your eye sight isn't good enough to discern the difference?
Even if you have 20/20 vision, it might not be good enough

iDarren · 04-23-2008, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soupnazi

Even if you have 20/20 vision, it might not be good enough

I think it would be.

cougardew · 04-23-2008, 06:25 PM

One point I've always tried to make is that you will be happy with the set you buy. The 720p set will look great compared to his old 480i set. You can't miss 1080p if you don't know about.

Studio Support · 04-23-2008, 09:44 PM

If its not 1080p, than its not HD

BiggNewt · 04-23-2008, 11:06 PM

I have a 40" but I sit 4-5 feet away and I can definitely see the difference especially when it comes to gaming.

04-21-2008, 05:48 AM	#1
tomjohn What is HD? Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2	notice the difference between 720 versus 1080, not tech junkies i am buying a hd set for my father. he is a perfectionist, but will he notice the difference between 720 and 1080. when i bought mine, it was 1080p or bust. my kids all bought 720's, and they seem to be happy with their sets. i have a westinghouse 37 inch, great picture, with a oppo 981. i will go to blu ray eventually, but the oppo does a good job on quality discs. i do business thru comcast, and i am satisfied with 1080 broadcasts.

04-21-2008, 06:33 AM	#3
MikeRox Blu Blu Skies! :D Join Date: May 2007 Location: Huddersfield, United Kingdom Posts: 12,260	If he is going from Standard Def then he will notice a vast improvement and doubtfull notice the difference between a 720p/1080i set and a 1080p set. However given the prices for 1080p sets now, I'd personally suggest going for that. On rare occasions, most normally subtitles/text I can see the interlace in 1080i, but it's so small on a sub 40" set that it's unnoticible, and if you go up to 40" 1080p really IMO isn't that much of a premium now anyway, so depends what size screen you go for really, as to which you should choose. __________________ REGION B 4TW! Latest HD additions - I Love You Man - 17 Again - Born on the 4th of July - Paul Blart: Mall Cop - Monsters, Inc. HD Movies - Um... Lost count >_< bout 250 Latest Gaming Additions - Mirrors Edge - Scene It BOS - Wartech: Senko No Ronde - Lego Indiana Jones/Kung Fu Panda 2 pack - Silent Hill

04-21-2008, 06:53 AM	#4
Lee Stewart Behold - the future! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL Age: 58 Posts: 25,174	It is also dependent on where one sits in relationship to the display. Sit further back (10 feet for a 46" to 50") and you will not see much of a difference with the exception of small "type." Last edited by Lee Stewart; 04-21-2008 at 06:58 AM.

04-21-2008, 09:42 AM	#6
HD Goofnut HDF Official Reviewer Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mississippi, U.S.A. Your resident Dune, Star Wars, and war film expert Age: 27 Posts: 6,760	I have a 46" RP HDTV (1080i) and I sit about 9' away. I have a hard time discerning between 720p and 1080i, but I do notice a small difference. I suppose if I sat closer I'd notice a larger difference. I notice a HUGE difference between 480i and 1080i. Sometimes I use my 480i DVD/VHS combo player because I hate when an old DVD gets compressed too much and let me tell all of you it looks nearly bad as a VHS tape. __________________ Official High Def Forum Reviewer Have a review request? Send it to me. Display: Sanyo DP46848 46" 1080p LCD A/V Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR606 7.1 HD Receiver: DirecTV HR21-100 HD DVR Speakers: Onkyo SKS-HT540 7.1 System Players: LG BH200, Toshiba HD-A20 & A2, Sony 40 GB PS3, Magnavox NB500MG9 156~199~My Movie Collection~Latest Bought: Death Race & The International Latest Review: *Role Models*

04-21-2008, 12:19 PM	#7
edders Ever Eddy Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,455	Just a suggestion ask you dad? Some people want the 1080 just because it is a higher number so it must "look" better. Others want to see and judge for themselves before choosing. btw, don't think 720 will be around for much longer. Ed

04-21-2008, 06:29 AM	#2
Chris Gerhard High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 8,160	I don't think the difference between 720p and 1080p is discernible with less than 40" sets for most people. Other factors are as important, probably more so, but today I would only buy a 1080p set unless budget was the deciding factor since 1080p displays have come way down in price. Sure, you can get a 720p display for even less but 1080p is too common and too affordable now to avoid it for something less. Research and try to come up with the best deal on a good 1080p display and I think he will be happy. Chris

04-21-2008, 09:29 AM	#5
bprewitt High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 51	I would also add that it depends on the quality of the TV set. A "budget" 1080p won't hold a candle to a 720p Pioneer or other high quality set. There are a lot of other factors that will feed into what makes a good picture. Within a particular brand, I would expect to see some improvement between a 720 and 1080 model, but whether it's worth it will depend on the user. I ultimately landed on the Pioneer 50" and didn't want to pay the premium for 1080p. I haven't regretted it. Had I decided on the Panasonic 50", I probably would have gone with the 1080p models, as at the time I was looking the price difference within the brand was smaller than the Pio. Good luck!

04-21-2008, 04:21 PM	#8
Blue_Red Support Both Formats Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 112	I think we could put this 1080 720 thing to rest, here is the latest test! "We spend a lot of time looking at a variety of source material on a variety of TVs in our video lab here at CNET's offices in New York. When I wrote my original article two years ago, many 1080p TVs weren't as sharp as they claimed to be on paper. By that, I mean a lot of older 1080p sets couldn't necessarily display all 2 million-plus pixels in the real world--technically, speaking, they couldn't "resolve" every line of a 1080i or 1080p test pattern. That's changed in the last couple of years. Most 1080p sets are now capable of fully resolving 1080i and 1080p material. But that hasn't altered our views about 1080p TVs. We still believe that when you're dealing with TVs 50 inches and smaller, the added resolution has only a very minor impact on picture quality. On a regular basis in our HDTV reviews, we put 720p (or 768p) sets next to 1080p sets, then feed them both the same source material, whether it's 1080i or 1080p, from the highest-quality Blu-ray and HD DVD players. We typically watch both sets for a while, with eyes darting back and forth between the two, looking for differences in the most-detailed sections, such as hair, textures of fabric, and grassy plains. Bottom line: It's almost always very difficult to see any difference--especially from farther than 8 feet away on a 50-inch TV." http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6449_7-6810011-1.html On a set 42 inches and under, you can safely say you threw your money away, 720 sets are supposed to show better PQ for SD as well. __________________ Panasonic TC-P42S1 Plasma Sony Blu Ray Disk Player XA2 HD DVD Directv HD DVR Sony KDL40S3000 (bedroom) A2 HD DVD Directv HD DVR HD DVD 28 Blu Ray 8 Glad to be format neutral Last edited by Blue_Red; 04-21-2008 at 04:24 PM.

04-22-2008, 05:29 AM	#9
jusHD HD pimp Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Corpus Christi Posts: 881	It comes down to the individual go to circuit city or best buy and see for yourselves. Many people have different eye sight and it makes a difference. I for one can tell the difference easily but I know others who can not. In my opinion go for the 1080p set. Circuit city has very good lcd 1080p sony and samsung sets priced very well right now.

04-22-2008, 05:41 AM	#10
iDarren Hi-Def Junkie Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Blu-ray HQ Awards: World's Sexiest Male 2006/2007/2008 Posts: 2,981	To the OP. You say your dad is "a perfectionist". Well if that is the case and he has a sharp eye, he "WILL" notice the difference. __________________ www.bogieonline.com www.mcqueenonline.com www.saunaandspascene.com www.projectorreviewcentral.com

04-23-2008, 12:28 PM	#11
soupnazi mmmmm High Def Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 678	or at least he will "think" he notices the difference jusHD has a good point about eye sight Everyone is talking about how good the resolution is What if your eye sight isn't good enough to discern the difference? Even if you have 20/20 vision, it might not be good enough

04-23-2008, 06:25 PM	#13
cougardew High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 583	One point I've always tried to make is that you will be happy with the set you buy. The 720p set will look great compared to his old 480i set. You can't miss 1080p if you don't know about. __________________ HD DVD: 66 BD: 51 Latest: The Water Horse

04-23-2008, 09:44 PM	#14
Studio Support Support for HDM Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 215	If its not 1080p, than its not HD

04-23-2008, 11:06 PM	#15
BiggNewt High on Definition Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 1,414	I have a 40" but I sit 4-5 feet away and I can definitely see the difference especially when it comes to gaming. __________________ Panasonic TC-P46G10 Plasma HDTV Samsung LN-T4061F 1080p HDTV Panasonic CT26WX15 CRT HDTV Onkyo TX-SR604 7.1 HDMI Receiver Optimus Mach Three Front Speakers Sony SS-CN5000 Center Speaker Sony SS-B1000 Surround Speakers (7.1) Sony SA-W3000 180W Subwoofer Sony PS3 (60gig w/ Linux installed) XBox 360 Premium Sony PS2 (160gig HDD, Messiah Pro 2 Modchip) Phillips DVP642 Divx/PAL DVD Player ViP 722k DVR Dual-Tuner 500GB

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