Is 1080p really worth the extra?

I'm looking at buying this TV but its rather expensive. Is 1080p really worth the extra price or does it make much of a difference on a 32in HDTV? I would rather spend less if 1080p isnt worth it.

I am looking to use my 360 and my newly aquired ps3. Video games and Blu-ray really, plus maybe the odd bit of TV watching.

Always go with 1080p

720 is obsolete these days with the way the gaps have closed between the two resolutions

No not really. Unless you looking into buying a 40 plus inch tv. Otherwise you have to sit really close to see much difference.

By the way, you can not compare true 720p vs 1080p on the same monitor as stated earlier (Compare 1280x720 to 1920x1080). Any fixed pixel display set to anything other than its native resolution will introduce scaling artifacts. The only way to compare this is to get 2 similarly calibrated TV's of equal quality, one 720p TV and the other 1080p and set them side by side. As you move away from them the limits of human vision will at some distance make the two sets indistinguishable. It's like looking at an orange from across the room. From across the room you see a smooth orange. As you get closer you'll see the pits in the orange skin. On a 50" set you must sit within 6' to see the difference between 720p and 1080p set. rastan

That's true for the most part, but most "720p" tvs don't even carry the 1280x720 resolution.

On a 50" set you must sit within 6' to see the difference between 720p and 1080p set. rastan

I can tell the difference at that distance with a 32 inch set.

Blu-ray is the only place you'll really see a difference. And at 32", it won't be much of a difference. Save your money, get the 720p model. For that price you could even get 42" 720p TV.Adam_the_Nerd

These are the TV's I'm looking at.

TV 1

http://www.1staudiovisual.co.uk/catalog/samsung-series-b550-le32b550-1080p-p-6705.html

TV 2

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-LE32B450C4-32-inch-Widescreen-Freeview/dp/B001UE8LV0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1270747149&sr=1-1

Now is TV 1 worth the extra £50?

If amazon is giving the full specs of the cheaper model, I'd say it makes sense to spend the extra money, if not for the wider assortment of connections. Even though you are buying an hd set, it is always nice to still have S-Video and various other inputs.

It should be said that the whole viewing distance chart is based on an AVERAGE--that everyones vision is the same. This just isn't the case in reality, though.

It seems to me there are owners of 720p sets that try to convince themselves 1080p is not important, and owners of 1080p sets that refuse to believe that anything other than 1080p sets are any good. A bit of exaggerating on both sides of the argument. In reality, it is somewhere in between, and largely depends on the distance you sit from the set, and the quality of your eyesight.

The distance chart is not based on an average. It is based on 20/20 vision and the limits of human vision. Anybody that says they can see the difference farther than the chart sates is either 1) seeing calibration differences, 2) seeing better processing/scaling 3) saying they see the difference on a native 1080p set and then switching between a 720p/1080p source which is not seeing any true difference in resolution as a 100p displays 1080p no matter what-it just scales everything else to 1080p. As Shawty says, resolution specs mean nothing without viewing distance being taken into account.rastan

It is. It is based on normal vision--20/20. However, it is not uncommon for people to have 25/20, 20/16, or really any varying number within that spectrum. Also, people who must wear eye glasses often buy over corrective lenses--"If I'm going to have to wear something to see, I might as well see as best I can."

Ok, since many people are now arguing, I'll state what I have.

I have around 20/20 vision.

I will be sitting about 6-8ft from the set.

I will be using it for gaming mostly with some blu-ray watching and an odd splash of TV thrown in.

What I need help on deciding is, do I spent the extra £50 on the 1080p set or do I save it and get the cheaper 720p set. Aside from the 1080p and save extra connections on the back I dont really see much of a difference.

Links have already been posted in the thread.

For that small price difference get the 1080p set.

Blu-rays are 1080p after all. You'll regret it if you get the 720p set.

1080p looks great on any size . get 1080p for sure its much bettter . 720 is not future proof .

Below 40 inches = 1080p is not worth it.

40 and above = 1080p is worth it.

Below 40 inches = 1080p is not worth it.

40 and above = 1080p is worth it.

Zanoh

[QUOTE="Zanoh"]

Below 40 inches = 1080p is not worth it.

40 and above = 1080p is worth it.

shawty1984

This.

[QUOTE="Zanoh"]

Below 40 inches = 1080p is not worth it.

40 and above = 1080p is worth it.

shawty1984

Again I stand by my post. The resolution won't change, but the viewer distance does, and TVs less than 40 inches, and the further back you are, you won't tell a huge difference.

So there.

[QUOTE="shawty1984"]

[QUOTE="Zanoh"]

Below 40 inches = 1080p is not worth it.

40 and above = 1080p is worth it.

Zanoh

Again I stand by my post. The resolution won't change, but the viewer distance does, and TVs less than 40 inches, and the further back you are, you won't tell a huge difference.

So there.

So your argument is based on the fact that someone is sitting too far from their TV?

The point is that you will see the difference in quality no matter what size the TV is from the correct viewing distance.

If someone wants to buy a 32 inch 1080p TV and view it 10ft away that's their problem. They should sit closer or get a bigger TV.

[QUOTE="shawty1984"]

[QUOTE="Zanoh"]

Below 40 inches = 1080p is not worth it.

40 and above = 1080p is worth it.

Zanoh

Again I stand by my post. The resolution won't change, but the viewer distance does, and TVs less than 40 inches, and the further back you are, you won't tell a huge difference.

So there.

I still don't agree 100% with the viewing distance. If I have a 22" 1080p and a 50" 1080, the latter will look better because the smaller screen size requires you to sit too close and thus becomes more strenuous on the eyes.

I still don't agree 100% with the viewing distance. If I have a 22" 1080p and a 50" 1080, the latter will look better because the smaller screen size requires you to sit too close and thus becomes more strenuous on the eyes.

Heirren

Yet you're fine sitting only a few feet from your computer monitor?

Time to break it down.

So your argument is based on the fact that someone is sitting too far from their TV?

The point is that you will see the difference in quality no matter what size the TV is from the correct viewing distance.

If someone wants to buy a 32 inch 1080p TV and view it 10ft away that's their problem. They should sit closer or get a bigger TV.

FamiBox

You're contradicting yourself with your third sentence. You won't see a huge difference in quality because above 40 screens tend to show the clarity difference. Anything less is pretty much DVD territory 1080p or not. It also doesn't help when you put distance in the mix either.

If you are sitting 10 feet away, the above 40 option works both near and far whereas 32 works better up close at 10-15 ft.

Bottom line: Below 32 inches -1080p not worth it. Quality may be better than 720p but it won't make a difference due to the screen size and distance.

Stop trying to change things just be man enough and admit you were wrong.

You said below 40", 1080p isnt worth it. That statment is false by itself, so you were wrong. You cant state something like that without viewing distance, you never stated viewing distance, hence its wrong.

So there (see what I did there?)

shawty1984

I saw what you did there :P

Anyways. Allow me to present a common fact. If a statement is by all definitions vague, then it just needs clarification. It isn't right and it isn't wrong. However now that I have presented the logical fact that viewing distance pays a huge factor in the role, which it does, then the statement that was once vague is no longer vague it is solidified and by the reactions of both you and famibox here, it is right and you two are being rather sore about it.

I will be kind and courteous however to say I apologize for giving a rather vague statement earlier.

Time to break it down.

[QUOTE="FamiBox"]

So your argument is based on the fact that someone is sitting too far from their TV?

The point is that you will see the difference in quality no matter what size the TV is from the correct viewing distance.

If someone wants to buy a 32 inch 1080p TV and view it 10ft away that's their problem. They should sit closer or get a bigger TV.

Zanoh

You're contradicting yourself with your third sentence.You won't see a huge difference in quality because above 40 screens tend to show the clarity difference.Anything less is pretty much DVD territory 1080p or not. It also doesn't help when you put distance in the mix either.

If you are sitting 10 feet away, the above 40 option works both near and far whereas 32 works better up close at 10-15 ft.

Bottom line: Below 32 inches -1080p not worth it.Quality may be better than 720p but it won't make a difference due to the screen size and distance.

No I'm not. I said from the beginning that distance has everything to do with it.

What is this magical clarity difference that comes with bigger screens?

Compete nonsense. You sit close enough to the screen, it will be true 1080p in all it's glory.

That's all it's about.

Which means you are contradicting yourself, and smaller TVs are worth it in 1080p if you sit close enough.

Maybe not for you, in the viewing distance that you need.

So again, you are assuming that everyone who buys a smaller 1080p set will be sitting too far from it. Why?

...

[QUOTE="Heirren"]

I still don't agree 100% with the viewing distance. If I have a 22" 1080p and a 50" 1080, the latter will look better because the smaller screen size requires you to sit too close and thus becomes more strenuous on the eyes.

FamiBox

Yet you're fine sitting only a few feet from your computer monitor?

No, I'm not. I know longer play games or watch movies on the laptop for those reasons. It's also one of the reasons I think Ipad is crap for reading.

[QUOTE="FamiBox"]

[QUOTE="Heirren"]

I still don't agree 100% with the viewing distance. If I have a 22" 1080p and a 50" 1080, the latter will look better because the smaller screen size requires you to sit too close and thus becomes more strenuous on the eyes.

Heirren

Yet you're fine sitting only a few feet from your computer monitor?

No, I'm not. I know longer play games or watch movies on the laptop for those reasons.

Just your personal preface.

I'm sure most people have no problem playing games or watching movies on their PC monitor.

I still don't agree 100% with the viewing distance. If I have a 22" 1080p and a 50" 1080, the latter will look better because the smaller screen size requires you to sit too close and thus becomes more strenuous on the eyes.

Heirren

Time to break it down.

[QUOTE="FamiBox"]

So your argument is based on the fact that someone is sitting too far from their TV?

The point is that you will see the difference in quality no matter what size the TV is from the correct viewing distance.

If someone wants to buy a 32 inch 1080p TV and view it 10ft away that's their problem. They should sit closer or get a bigger TV.

Zanoh

You're contradicting yourself with your third sentence. You won't see a huge difference in quality because above 40 screens tend to show the clarity difference. Anything less is pretty much DVD territory 1080p or not. It also doesn't help when you put distance in the mix either.

If you are sitting 10 feet away, the above 40 option works both near and far whereas 32 works better up close at 10-15 ft.

Bottom line: Below 32 inches -1080p not worth it. Quality may be better than 720p but it won't make a difference due to the screen size and distance.

Stop trying to change things just be man enough and admit you were wrong.

You said below 40", 1080p isnt worth it. That statment is false by itself, so you were wrong. You cant state something like that without viewing distance, you never stated viewing distance, hence its wrong.

So there (see what I did there?)

shawty1984

I saw what you did there :P

Anyways. Allow me to present a common fact. If a statement is by all definitions vague, then it just needs clarification. It isn't right and it isn't wrong. However now that I have presented the logical fact that viewing distance pays a huge factor in the role, which it does, then the statement that was once vague is no longer vague it is solidified and by the reactions of both you and famibox here, it is right and you two are being rather sore about it.

I will be kind and courteous however to say I apologize for giving a rather vague statement earlier.

Honestly, a good 1080p display will make your jaw drop. I have a 720 and it honestly isn't the same. I mean it's an awesome set for the budget, I didn't want to chip out a few hundred more, but it just isn't the same. Ghost_702

[QUOTE="Heirren"]

I still don't agree 100% with the viewing distance. If I have a 22" 1080p and a 50" 1080, the latter will look better because the smaller screen size requires you to sit too close and thus becomes more strenuous on the eyes.

shawty1984

It isn't correct--it is just a generalization. Not everyone has the same vision. Not everyone focuses the same way.

[QUOTE="shawty1984"]

[QUOTE="Heirren"]

I still don't agree 100% with the viewing distance. If I have a 22" 1080p and a 50" 1080, the latter will look better because the smaller screen size requires you to sit too close and thus becomes more strenuous on the eyes.

Heirren

It isn't correct--it is just a generalization. Not everyone has the same vision. Not everyone focuses the same way.

[QUOTE="Heirren"]

[QUOTE="shawty1984"]

You might not agree, but its correct.

My eyes are fine when I view my 24" TV. But a 50" 1080p will never look better resolution wise if both are viewed from the correct distance, they will look the same.

shawty1984

It isn't correct--it is just a generalization. Not everyone has the same vision. Not everyone focuses the same way.

What you say IS true, but it is based on a generalization that everyones vision is the same. This is simply not the case.

If my iphone had a 1080p screen resolution and required me to hold it inches from my face, going by the logic you bring up, it would look exactly the same as a 60in 1080p from the correct viewing distance. There is NO WAY that holding an lcd/plasma screen INCHES from my face would allow my eyes to focus properly.

[QUOTE="shawty1984"]

[QUOTE="Heirren"]

It isn't correct--it is just a generalization. Not everyone has the same vision. Not everyone focuses the same way.

Heirren

What you say IS true, but it is based on a generalization that everyones vision is the same. This is simply not the case.

If my iphone had a 1080p screen resolution and required me to hold it inches from my face, going by the logic you bring up, it would look exactly the same as a 60in 1080p from the correct viewing distance. There is NO WAY that holding an lcd/plasma screen INCHES from my face would allow my eyes to focus properly.

[QUOTE="Heirren"]

[QUOTE="shawty1984"]

No, it is correct, just because some people cant see it, does not actually mean its not correct. If you have a 22" 1080p TV and a 50" 1080p TV then they will both look the same (IF VIEWED FROM THE CORRECT DISTANCE). Just because some people cant see it, does not make that false.

shawty1984

What you say IS true, but it is based on a generalization that everyones vision is the same. This is simply not the case.

If my iphone had a 1080p screen resolution and required me to hold it inches from my face, going by the logic you bring up, it would look exactly the same as a 60in 1080p from the correct viewing distance. There is NO WAY that holding an lcd/plasma screen INCHES from my face would allow my eyes to focus properly.

I do understand the logic behind the chart, it just isn't always correct under real world circumstances. I don't think you are grasping what I am pointing out.

[QUOTE="shawty1984"]

[QUOTE="Heirren"]

What you say IS true, but it is based on a generalization that everyones vision is the same. This is simply not the case.

If my iphone had a 1080p screen resolution and required me to hold it inches from my face, going by the logic you bring up, it would look exactly the same as a 60in 1080p from the correct viewing distance. There is NO WAY that holding an lcd/plasma screen INCHES from my face would allow my eyes to focus properly.

Heirren

I do understand the logic behind the chart, it just isn't always correct under real world circumstances. I don't think you are grasping what I am pointing out.

[QUOTE="Heirren"]

[QUOTE="shawty1984"]

Sigh, you just dont get it.

shawty1984

I do understand the logic behind the chart, it just isn't always correct under real world circumstances. I don't think you are grasping what I am pointing out.

You should reread what I had said earlier.

I FULLY UNDERSTAND that a 22" 1080p set will contain THE EXACT SAME AMOUNT OF DETAIL as a 60" 1080p set. Seeing this detail is a different story. To see the same detail on a given tv, one person may have to sit 4 feet away, while another may have to sit 7 feet away. There are a lot of variables in there. So you are agreeing with my statement about a 1080p 4" screen being held directly next to your face looking just as good as a 60"1080, viewed from the correct distance? The human eye wouldn't even beable to properly focus in on the 4" screen.

[QUOTE="shawty1984"]

[QUOTE="Heirren"]

I do understand the logic behind the chart, it just isn't always correct under real world circumstances. I don't think you are grasping what I am pointing out.

Heirren

You should reread what I had said earlier.

I FULLY UNDERSTAND that a 22" 1080p set will contain THE EXACT SAME AMOUNT OF DETAIL as a 60" 1080p set. Seeing this detail is a different story. To see the same detail on a given tv, one person may have to sit 4 feet away, while another may have to sit 7 feet away. There are a lot of variables in there. So you are agreeing with my statement about a 1080p 4" screen being held directly next to your face looking just as good as a 60"1080, viewed from the correct distance? The human eye wouldn't even beable to properly focus in on the 4" screen.

Oh really, what is it that I don't get? Describe how what I just said above is wrong.

Oh really, what is it that I don't get? Describe how what I just said above is wrong.

Heirren

I never said it was wrong, you have just not being following the argument.