1080p??? (1 Viewer)

[RichardJB]

I am getting ready to plunk down my 3-4k for the HDTV of my dreams and I have a question. All the 1080p sets are starting to come out I'm wondering if I should get one.
I definately want true hd but is there any visual differance from a 1080i or even 720p set? I will be buying this television in the first week of June and it needs to be at least 56-62 inches, any suggestions??

 

[RAF]

1080i and 720p sets look about the same (generally 720p is better with fast moving images and 1080i is better with static images but it's really based on individual preferences.)

1080p is another whole step up and has the potential to look far better. The problem up to now has been that there is not too much 1080p source material - mostly it's available through PC files and WMVHD (Windows Media Video High Definition) titles that can be found in limited numbers at DVD vendors like Amazon, et. al. And you need an HTPC to "play" them.

However, 1080p sources will be more widely available and accessible to the masses over the next couple of years with new formats so this might change. The best advice regarding 1080p is to try to seek out a store that is actually displaying a 1080p set with 1080p content. Once you see it, it is a revelation. Lots of manufacturers are jumping on the 1080p bandwagon (Sony, JVC, Samsung, HP) but very few of the 1080p monitors actually accept a 1080p input so that somewhat waters down the possibilities for the future. It is rumored that 2006 models will add 1080p input capability but as of now only HP models have this.

I own an HP MD5880n and have seen 1080p on it and it's the best that's available (in my opinion) right now. I detail my experiences, both good and bad, with HP on my HT website if you're interested (rather than rehashing it all here again.)

 

[Allan Jayne]

I would say, hold off on buying a 1080p TV unless you can get one with 1080p input that you like.

All current source material must be converted to 1080p to be shown on a 1080p TV. It is possible to get picture quality approaching what would be original 1080p from today's 1080i. Unfortunately the majority of 1080p sets so far do not do a good job of converting 1080i to 1080p.

Video hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/why1080p.htm

 

[RAF]

Exactly, Allan! And that's why I fought so hard to get a working HP MD5880n. Now that the battle is over, I'm more than pleased. But it was a battle dealing with HP (as I outlined in my HP report on my HT site).