HDTV Decisions 40'' 1080p....32'' 720p o.O

OK here's the deal. I want a new HDTV. I've been looking at payment plans and price matching. It really makes buying something more expensive that much easier. So far I've only been looking at Samsungs. I really like the style and the picture quality is great I hear.

Lets just say I can afford up to 40'' for this situation.

So far I know I want 32'' and up. Although, my room is quite small and I would rather go with exactly 32'' than something bigger like a 40''. My predicament is not really money at this point. I know that 1080p will be the wave of the future. However I can only find a TV that puts out 1080p in 40'' and higher. The 32'' I want outputs in 720p, which I know looks great too, but I figure if I'm going to shell out on a HDTV I might as well get something that will last for a long time to come. Is there anything around 32'' that outputs in 1080p? What are you thoughts on the situation?

Here are some links to those TV's I'm looking at:

Samsung 32'' 720p

Samsung 40'' 1080p

Many thanks for any help you guys can offer. :)

EDIT: I just read on Crutchfield:

- 2 component video (accepts signals up to 1080p)

- 3 HDMI v1.2a digital audio/video inputs (2 rear, 1 side) accepts signals up to 1080p

Looks like I can get the 1080p without the huge TV, w00t!

It sounds like you want 1080p just so you -can- accept the signal. It will be a very very long time before a video source only outputs 1080p and not 720p/1080i.

If you want 1080p for the improvement in details, then you are going about it wrong. First of all, at regular viewing distances, the human eye usually can't tell the difference between 1080p and 720p at sizes under at least 40". Secondly, viewing a 1080p signal on a 1366x768 native display is barely any better than 720p; throw in the fact that the screen size is relatively small for 1080p at normal viewing distances, 1080p is almost useless in this case.

Yeah my friend just told me too. :P

So what would be my best bet? I want this TV to last.

Personally, I'd just go with a 720p 32" LCD in your situation.

1080p is way overhyped. In my opinion, it's only worth it if you're going for a larger display and want to be futureproof, own a hd dvd/blu-ray player, or you're sharing the display with a computer.

If you still want 1080p, Sharp has a 32" 1080p LCD, and quite a few manufacturers have 37" 1080p LCDs.

Unless your room is the size of a walk in closet I would suggest going larger than 40". I have a 50" in a room that is 10' x 12' and would not want anything smaller. You rarely ever hear people complain that they bought a TV that was too large. The opposite actually happens quite frequently. They get that 40" home and see that a 46" or 50" would fit with no problem and end up taking the smaller one back.NiHM

I guess I'm the exception then. I bought a 42" Pio plasma for my bedroom and I seriously regret it. The tv is kickass but I just find everything too big for my eyes. Take an fps game for example... I just can't get into a competitive mode because I'm constantly searching across the screen. As opposed to a 19" lcd, I can frag anyone, anytime.

19" is small, so I believe a 32" is plenty big for a small-medium room IMO. In my living room lies the 50" and it suits my needs.

Something else to consider, Panasonic is coming out with their 1080p plasma panels shortly and will retail for under 2 grand. I believe the 42" will be $1800 with all the bells and whistles. Supposedly it's gonna be great for gaming as well.. I'm an lcd fan myself for games but the newer plasmas do fine.

Otherwise if your like me and want smaller, Samsung IMO is the way to go. Their glass is shared by the Sonys and cheaper, plus optimized for gaming. A 32" Sammy is hard to beat for small room gaming.

Now I'm thinking about just waiting till black Friday. I think in the end I'll go for 1080p, but I still think 40'' of TV glory would look huge in this midget of a room. :PSSJMajinVegeta

With displays, you'll get use to a big one and eventually think about an even bigger one. It'll grow on you and won't seem so big anymore. I wouldn't worry about it.

I'm sure I will get used to it. And when I do ever decide to move it'll be nice in my own room. These Samsungs just seem so perfect for gaming.

Black Friday is held the day after Thanksgiving.

Unless your room is the size of a walk in closet I would suggest going larger than 40". I have a 50" in a room that is 10' x 12' and would not want anything smaller. You rarely ever hear people complain that they bought a TV that was too large. The opposite actually happens quite frequently. They get that 40" home and see that a 46" or 50" would fit with no problem and end up taking the smaller one back.NiHM

its not about fit, its about viewing distance. i could easily fit a 50" tv on my wall in my apartment, but i dont have the viewing distance to make it worthwhile. In general, this chart applies:

Suggested viewing distances for HDTV-capable TVs.
We provide a range because the ideal distance will
depend on several factors, including signal quality.

Screen size--------Viewing distance range

30"-----------------3.75-6.25 feet

34"-----------------4.25-7 feet

42"-----------------5.25-8.75 feet

50"-----------------6.25-10.5 feet

56"-----------------7-11.75 feet

62"-----------------7.75-13 feet

70"-----------------8.75-14.75 feet

Too large of a set will increase eye strain and make flaws in the picture much more evident. @ the OP, what size is your room and more importantly how far back will you be sitting? also, do you plan to be in that room for a good 4 years, or is there a chance of you moving out?

1080p isn't worth it under 40 inches. It's not a bad thing though. Im sure there would be minimal increase in picture quality. Just consider your viewing distance and buy a tv for that distance

1080p isn't worth it under 40 inches.

OneWingedAngeI

How many times does it need to be said until people understand that it's relative to viewing distance? The closer you are, the smaller the size that is required for 1080p benefits to shine because the closer you are, the pixels are easier to see.