viewing distance 1080p vs 720p

[EddieG]

After reading http://www.carltonbale.com/2006/11/1080p-does-matter/ I'm still not sure what to consider. From the chart on viewing distances (the 2nd chart) it shows for a 50" set (which is what I'm considering) is about 6 1/2 feet. How much of a difference does 12-18 inches make if I am 7.5-8 feet from the tv? When I get a big screen it will be mounted to the wall so will be about 8-9 feet from the sofa...Should I not even consider 1080p in that case? Does this mean I can also save $$ and not buy an HD/blu ray DVD player and just get one that up-converts?

Thanks!!

Eddie

 

[1tribeca]

If you're gonna be 8-9 ft away from the screen at 50" don't worry about 1080p...unless the price difference isn't huge. Remember, the eye doesn't see in megapixels, we're trained to recognize lines of resolution.

I've seen, and it's been mentioned several times around here, that a good 720p TV (like a Pioneer plasma which is actually 768p) can still be so much better than a 1080p panel at normal viewing distance. There's so much more to consider when making that purchase. Such as black levels, true colour reproduction, video processing etc. The consumer is hung up on the "1080p" buzz word of late.

Do some homework, make side by side comparisons (with the same source material) and choose from there. Don't even look to see the pixel count at first...choose based on how much you like the picture, then see if it's 1080p for interest sake!

In Canada the price difference between a Pioneer Elite 1080p panel, PRO-110FD and the non Elite panel, PRO-1150FD is about 2k (MSRP) Is that worth the extra cost at 9ft away? No way!

 

[EddieG]

Thank you for that answer.

Now regarding DVD players, with a 720p TV what is the "real world" difference in a 1080p player vs. an $80 1080i (720p) up-converting player?

 

[bj274]

Personally, I would still go with 1080, depending on screen size. Anything below about 45" you won't see the difference.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Thank you for that answer.

Now regarding DVD players, with a 720p TV what is the "real world" difference in a 1080p player vs. an $80 1080i (720p) up-converting player?

One solution to your dilemma is buy a larger TV at 1080p
Seriously, you will be in that area in-between the two resolutions.
Another consideration is that cable TV will be either 720p or 1080i. BUT, standard def dvd will only be 480i and that resolution is it, even up converted.

Tough call, unless the $$$ difference is small.

 

[EddieG]

Will HDTV ever be 1080p?

I don't watch a lot of movies so 1080p just for a 1080p dvd player is not worth it to me (at least right now)

 

[1tribeca]

Now you're reeeeally splitting hairs! From a reasonable distance most people can't distinguish 720p from 1080p on a good panel...now you're concerned about "i" or "p"? I wouldn't give it too much thought. If it's pixel count you're concerned about, they're the same...it's just the way the processing displays the picture on screen.

"i" or interlaced panels de-interlace the pixels odds, then evens ie. "lines" 1,3,5,7,9 and so on are displayed first, followed by the evens...2,4,6,8 and so on. Sounds choppy right? Don't worry about it...it does this every 60th of a second!! Unless you have the vision of a bald eagle, you won't be missing anything!!

"p" or progressive panels de-interlace in order, 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 and so on...resulting in a smoother picture (again every 60th of a second)

 

[no. 5]

Will HDTV ever be 1080p?

Maybe, the reason it is not around now is because at HDTVs creation it was thought 1080p would have needed more bandwidth than is available, which was true. However new technologies may render this problem moot.
Of note perhaps, is that 1080p24 is in the ATSC spec (but 1080p60 is not).

"i" or interlaced panels de-interlace the pixels odds, then evens

But there are no interlaced panels on the market (that is, all available fixed pixel displays are progressive), what you are describing is more accurately 1080i transmission.

Because de-interlacing is converting an i to a p, if a display can "do interlaced" there would be no need to de-interlace.

"p" or progressive panels de-interlace in order, 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 and so on...resulting in a smoother picture (again every 60th of a second)

When de-interlacing 1080i, but to be pedantic, a number of HDTV's can change their refresh rate to a multiple of 24 when displaying 1080p24 content.

 

[1tribeca]

Good call. The whole thing is moot if you have a killer astigmatism like me...damn!!!

 

[mtrycrafts]

Will HDTV ever be 1080p?

I don't watch a lot of movies so 1080p just for a 1080p dvd player is not worth it to me (at least right now)

If you are primarily into TV, I'd go for the 720. That is what I will do in the family room. when I get to building the new built in

 

[bj274]

Is HDTV not in 1080?

 

[no. 5]

Good call. The whole thing is moot if you have a killer astigmatism like me...damn!!!

It happens... and my vision is far from 20/20 too.

Is HDTV not in 1080?

Some is; HDTV is 'officially' 1080i and 720p.