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General discussion

Better set: 720p or 1080i?

Jun 7, 2005 5:39AM PDT

To reframe the other questions I've posed in this forum, since the answers I've gotten haven't been exactly what I was looking for:


I understand that HD sets will convert whatever signal they receive into their native resolution. There appears to be some disagreement over whether "upconverting" actually improves picture quality (e.g., whether a 480p signal on a 720p set really looks better than it would on a 480p set).

I am trying to decide between a 720p set and a 1080i set. I understand the conventional opinion that 720p is better for sports or anything with a lot of movement, and 1080i is better for everything else. But here's my other concern: some stations broadcast in 720p, and others broadcast in 1080i. Which will look better: a 720p feed on a 1080i set, or a 1080i feed on a 720p set?

Here's what I deduce: if the skepticism over "upconverting" is justified, then it follows that a 720p signal displayed on a 1080i set will appear at something like 720i quality. The picture will be limited to interlacing by the TV, and the resolution will be limited to 720 by the signal.

On the other hand, a 1080i signal displayed on a 720p set will look like 720p. The resolution will be limited to 720 by the TV, but the picture will be progressively scanned by the TV.

This to me suggests that a 720p set is the better way to go. Thoughts? Is my understanding of the facts here correct?

Discussion is locked

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I bet anything is dramatically better...
Jun 7, 2005 6:01AM PDT

...than what you are replacing. At this point your choices are basically a 720p set or one of the forthcoming 1080p sets. Just find a set that you think is appealing and you can afford. Then just enjoy.

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Any constructive input?
Jun 7, 2005 7:30AM PDT

Why would I not consider 1080i? Whether or not anything would improve on the status quo is not the question, the question is which of the options out there is better.

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You seem frustrated--my take on this
Jun 7, 2005 1:23PM PDT

You really do not have a choice. If you buy a CRT set it will be 1080i and if you get a DLP, LCD or plasma, it will be 720p or if you can afford it, 1080p.

1080i is really 540 lines displayed at a time on the screen, but a second 540 are displayed for the rest of the picture so quickly that you are fooled into thinking it is done as one picture. This works great on still or slow moving pictures, but as well on fast moving scenes such as sports. 720p scans all 720 lines in one sweep, so it is smoother for sports. In theory, 1080i is nore lines than 720, but depends on source. Some networks broadcast 1080i and some in 720p.

I have a plasma which is native 720p and the picture looks best to me if I set the HD Dishnetwork receiver to 1080i rather than 720p. Go figure.

Both types of sets look great-buy what looks good to you and suits your needs. Before long, all sets will be 1080p and will be sharper than either-if you can find a source at that definition.

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dont go 720 I didnt even think they made them any more
Jul 7, 2005 9:51AM PDT

I have a Sony kp-65wv600 1080 t.v with the dish 811 hi-def converter and all I can tell you that when I am watching a hi-def program, lets say n.a.s.c.a.r racing some of the cameras are 1080 some are 480, or 720 and 480 and 720 look as they should nasty please reply to stewart norrie in this chat room good luck