1080p vs 720p?

Contrary to the beliefs of some on this forum and around the net. 1080p at sub 50" is not a marketing scam. It all boils down to how you will be using your display. If you plan on using a PC with your display then 1080p may be the way to go. If you plan on using it as a simple movie, game and TV set then either will suit you fine. One caveat to 1080p displays is that sub 1080i content looks a bit muddy due to upscaling. You don't get this problem converting 1080i/p down to 720p on those native sets. Most content though is not 720p. Most TV stations are 1080i broadcasts which look excellent on 1080p sets and the XBOX 360 can work in 1080p mode with it's digital scaler. The PS3 has a slight disadvantage since none of the content is scaled so you see it as it is. Anything below 1080i output from the PS3 may look a bit blurry. Sooooo, how do you plan on using your display?cspiffo

As I said in my original post, I plan on using it for gaming, movies and television. How do I kno which sony/samsung to get with new technology/sets being released so often? I dont wanna spend a bunch of money on something outdated. Like I said, looking for a 40" hdtv either sony or samsung. Which hdtvs wont have clouds?

The difference between Sony and Samsung is not the display but the software engines they use. Find a decent show room and look at the two tv's and see which video processor you like best. Technology is never ending. The moment you take that TV home it will be obsolete. Their is never a good time to buy. With that being said I would maybe recommend the LN-S4096D from Samsung. It's a 40" 1080p LCD and it is an excellent display. You may find some uses for 1080p in the future I'd recommend 1080p for you. Remember, TV's last 10-20 yrs.cspiffo

The LN-S4096D looks nice? Ive been looking at this one with temptation. Model: LN-T4061F. WHats the difference between the two?

 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7895183&st=LN-S4096D&type=product&id=1151657261753

 Gotta save money for half a year to get it.

Hmmm, looks like the newer model.  The one you posted has 16bit processing whereas the 96D has 10bit processing.  The 61F is also slightly cheaper. 

anyway here's a sight still selling the 96D.

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/462999451?v_c=CI&srccode=cii_6580890&cpncode=09-11249545

1080p for sure - there is a very noticable difference regardless of screen size, anyone who says contrary is trying to comfort themselves for not having 1080p.  I play on a 37" 1080p and it's VERY noticable when switching to 720p - there's no comparison really.  Both resolutions look good - but 1080p is MUCH better.

Also - I currently am using a Westinghouse 37" - 1080p (got it for $800) but am saving for a Samsung - the reccomendations for Samsung are right on - they are rated in the top 3 - 1080p manufacturers (the other 2 being Sony and Hitachi) but they are by far the most affordable.

It's not all about Resolution.  To me,  a 60" Pioneer Plasma 6070HD with 1365x768 resolution  has better PQ then a 60" 1080p XBR2 SXRD.

How far are you going to be sitting from the TV?  Distance from the screen to your eyes 

It's not all about Resolution.  To me,  a 60" Pioneer Plasma 6070HD with 1365x768 resolution  has better PQ then a 60" 1080p XBR2 SXRD.

How far are you going to be sitting from the TV?  Distance from the screen to your eyes 

m3Boarder32

True that.  There is definitely a difference in PQ between different models.  Some 720p monitors will "appear" to have a better image due to a great many reasons other than resolution.  Many have better contrast ratios or a wider color range among other things.  That being said if you are comparing sets with comparable PQ then 1080p is better.

It all depends on the quality of set you buy.  As others have stated, there are sets that are 720P that look noticably better than sets that are 1080P running a 1080P signal.

For the most part, the difference between 1080P and 720P are not huge, but they are there.  Really depends on how picky you are.

Contrary to the beliefs of some on this forum and around the net. 1080p at sub 50" is not a marketing scam. It all boils down to how you will be using your display. If you plan on using a PC with your display then 1080p may be the way to go. If you plan on using it as a simple movie, game and TV set then either will suit you fine. One caveat to 1080p displays is that sub 1080i content looks a bit muddy due to upscaling. You don't get this problem converting 1080i/p down to 720p on those native sets. Most content though is not 720p. Most TV stations are 1080i broadcasts which look excellent on 1080p sets and the XBOX 360 can work in 1080p mode with it's digital scaler. The PS3 has a slight disadvantage since none of the content is scaled so you see it as it is. Anything below 1080i output from the PS3 may look a bit blurry. Sooooo, how do you plan on using your display?cspiffo

I actually did not need this info, but wanted to point out that cspiffo made a very well put, and informed post.
Wish this was not so rare on forums.

Some poster below said that switching to 720 on his 1080 screen was very obviously worse, well cspiffo already explained why.

1080p for sure - there is a very noticable difference regardless of screen size, anyone who says contrary is trying to comfort themselves for not having 1080p. I play on a 37" 1080p and it's VERY noticable when switching to 720p - there's no comparison really. Both resolutions look good - but 1080p is MUCH better.

Also - I currently am using a Westinghouse 37" - 1080p (got it for $800) but am saving for a Samsung - the reccomendations for Samsung are right on - they are rated in the top 3 - 1080p manufacturers (the other 2 being Sony and Hitachi) but they are by far the most affordable.

DataDream

See, I must disagree with you on one point - that those saying there is no differenc are simply lying to themselves. I do not own an HDTV, but plan on buying one soon. I'm looking at a 32" display. Since this tv will likely be with me a long time, I'm planning on doing it right, and getting a great set. However, I simply can not tell you the difference between the two. I may end up getting a 1080p set, but I honestly cannot tell. I have a buddy of mine in the same boat. Once you get above 50, I can start to see the difference.

Just to be clear, I'm not saying you can't see the difference, I'm just saying I can't and I suspect most who say likewise are not doing it for some self-justification purpose.

Also, my eyes are just fine, I recently had them tested and they're at 18/20...so a little better than most actually.

Yeah, it's fair to say that 1080p is better than 720p (thats un questionable) but the amount of extra detail squashed into a smaller space makes it a lot harder to notice at a regular viewing distance. The higher the res the closer you'll need to be to see it, unless the screen is big enough for reasonable distance viewing. 720p on a 50" TV would not be very nice simply because the pixels would be more visible and no one wants that.

So lets say 1080p is obviously better, but the size of the screen dictates your viewing distance and when you are using a 32/40" set you'll not be far enough away to have much benefit in general non computer use. And when cost comes into this that difference may just not matter enough.
At home I have a 32" Sony because anything bigger would be no good in the room I play games in, at 40"+ I can no longer see the whole screen properly keeping my head still, my friend has both 46" and 32" in different rooms since he has the space for it and his 46 is a W series Bravia at 1080p. He has the money to buy any set he wants and is quite certain that the 1080p / 720p argument is pretty pointless as long as you get the right res for size.