1080p question

[Yorkville]

Hi, I am thinking of getting a new tv like the new Sony SXRD, but I keep reading everywhere that though its a 1080p set it cant receiver a 1080p signal, and nor can most 1080p sets. I dont understand that at all. I don understand that nothing is broadcasting in 1080p but still how can these companys say they have 1080p and then the tv cant accept it?

Any help would be appriciated, because I am trying to figure out whether to wait for new tvs or not. Thanks a lot.

 

[1khpsupra]

Call Sony directly and ask them so much mis information floating around. I called Toshiba and they said my 62hm195 accepts 1080p. Most places I read said the Toshiba 1080p sets could not.

Hi, I am thinking of getting a new tv like the new Sony SXRD, but I keep reading everywhere that though its a 1080p set it cant receiver a 1080p signal, and nor can most 1080p sets. I dont understand that at all. I don understand that nothing is broadcasting in 1080p but still how can these companys say they have 1080p and then the tv cant accept it?

Any help would be appriciated, because I am trying to figure out whether to wait for new tvs or not. Thanks a lot.

 

[Yorkville]

I called Sony and they told me that it was 1080p, but I think that they may not know what they are talking about. Ive looked everywhere for an answer, does anyone here have one?

 

[BMXTRIX]

Broadcast standards for HDTV are simple:

720p or 1080i. Those are the two that make HDTV a reality in the world right now and there is little chance of that changing anytime soon - say the next 10 years plus.

Digital displays, such as LCD, DLP, Plasma, and LCoS are all inherently progressive scan.

So, if they build a display with 1080 lines of resolution, it will be 1080p. It will never be 1080i, which is the current resolution with the most lines of information.

So, an incoming broadcast signal, of 1080i, is converted from interlaced to progressive to show on the display.

Some manufacturers go a step further and also allow for you to actually send the display a native 1080p signal. This does you no good for television HD broadcasts which will not be 1080p for many years. But, perhaps it does a great thing for you with HD discs (Blu-Ray/HD-DVD) and/or the ability to hook up a HTPC (home theater pc) and use that as your HD movie source.

If shopping right now, I would be hard pressed to pay extra for 1080p when so much about it is up in the air and so few manufacturers are being clear about their support for it. My minimum that I would expect a 1080p TV to accept would be 1080/60p and 1080/24p. If it can't accept those two, then I'm not interested unless one emerges as THE standard.

 

[Yorkville]

Thank You so much, that really helped me out

 

[Cosmo Kramer]

so....the question is, when will 1080p be standard? Because right now, it will take about 3 more years (2008-09) until 720p and 1080i are standard, right?

because personally, i'm thinking about buying an HDTV, but i need to know whether i should wait until 1080p is standard or go ahead and buy one this january?

 

[BMXTRIX]

It won't be a broadcast standard ever perhaps.

HD discs and PC formats are likely the only ones that will be using 1080p anytime soon, and there is no guarantee that it will really happen anytime in the next couple of years.

If you are looking to buy now, and have nothing now, then go ahead and BUY NOW! Don't wait, and don't go overboard buying something specifically 1080p without knowing what the real 1080p format will be. Just buy the best looking display your money allows you.

What trips me out is people who have a nice setup. Like a Panny AE700U projector from last year, and they turn around and buy the Panny AE900U which is this years model.

It's like taking half a step up a flight of stairs. It's just pointless and a waste of money (IMO) since the upgrade amount is so small. Plus, if you know your product is reliable since you've had it for a year, then odds are good it'll still be good in a year or two more. Then you might actually be able to afford a better product. Don't waste money for a minimal upgrade if you don't have to. Save your money, then get something totally killer if it is appropriate.

At least, that's always been my philosophy - and I think it has paid off.

 

[Cosmo Kramer]

I'm kind of in that kind of situation: in July of 2003, I bought a 27" Sony Wega TV, it is not HD. I bought it for about $450 at the time because even just two years ago, HDTV's were SOOOO expensive. So, if I HAD to buy a new TV, I know what I would buy, the new Sony 26" LCD HDTV XBR. But I just don't know if it's worth buying a nice HDTV when I already have a two year old television. I love my TV, but of course, it's not HD.

 

[eddiem67]

The only unit I know that can receive true 1080P is the HP 65".

 

[plasmalvr]

I'm kind of in that kind of situation: in July of 2003, I bought a 27" Sony Wega TV, it is not HD. I bought it for about $450 at the time because even just two years ago, HDTV's were SOOOO expensive. So, if I HAD to buy a new TV, I know what I would buy, the new Sony 26" LCD HDTV XBR. But I just don't know if it's worth buying a nice HDTV when I already have a two year old television. I love my TV, but of course, it's not HD.

That's a tough one because there is a huge improvement from SDTV to HDTV. At the size that you're metioning there's not as dramatic of an improvement. I would wait until you're ready to set up a home theater with a 50" or 65" display- that's when the difference is dramatic.

 

[qwertynerd]

Best for HTPC

I got my 1080p Sammy HL-R6168W for the following reasons:

1) It was definitely time to upgrade from my 12-year old Mitsubishi 27" CRT - I couldn't read certain words from across my living room. It tainted the rest of my decked-out home theater, also!

2) I have my HTPC hooked up to it to watch movies, TV, and to play games, and listen to music with visualizations for parties, etc. The 1080p video clips from Microsoft look amazing on this screen - can't wait until I can get some full-length movies in 1080p (don't know when that will happen, though).

3) It's a beautiful TV/monitor

I didn't get it to watch TV. I don't know why anyone would bother unless you are a sports addict and/or love watching Discovery DR all day long - HDTV content simply isn't a useable reality in the US yet unless you are using a HTPC, IMHO.

 

[smithsfan]

Here's the deal

CNET suggests that only the HP DLP and possibly the Sony Qualia can actually accept 1080p. The others upconvert 1080i to 1080p via a process/technology called "wobulation".

...I've been wrong before...

 

[clayman88]

The 1080p video clips from Microsoft look amazing on this screen

I was wondering if there were any 1080p clips/demos available anywhere. Would you mind posting where exactly you got the clips from. I think some sweet 1080p visualizations would be awesome for parties, like you mentioned.

 

[agarwalro]

Ask and you shall receive...

I was wondering if there were any 1080p clips/demos available anywhere. Would you mind posting where exactly you got the clips from. I think some sweet 1080p visualizations would be awesome for parties, like you mentioned.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/content_provider/film/ContentShowcase.aspx

 

[millerbrad]

Re: the original question

From the 60" SXRD Users Manual:
http://www.sonystyle.com/intershoproot/eCS/Store/en/documents/specifications/KDS-R50XBR1_manual.pdf

Maximum Resolution via PC Source: 1280 x 1024 (Not 1080p, but close)

Compatible Resolutions via HDMI-in: 1080i, 720p, 480i, 480p (Not 1080p)

Resolutions via iLink/Firewire-in: ???? (I don't know - maybe if there are 1080p Firewire devices out there, the TV might display the video at native 1080p. Anyone have a clue?)

Basically, the TV displays video at 1080p.

 

[Hanse18]

Currently, for rptv, the only television that officially supports a native 1080p/60 signal over hdmi is the HP DLP's. It has been reported that the new 1080p JVC HD-ILA's also receive 1080p/60 over hdmi, but for whatever reason JVC doesn't state this in their owners manual (perhaps it isn't hdcp compliant, or it isnt compatible with all products sending 1080p). Supposedly the qualia can accept 1080p/30 over hdmi, and the cheaper 60" and 50" sxrd sets from sony can accept 1080p/30 over firewire. Various other tv's (toshiba, samsung, mitsubishi) can all accept 1080p/30 (maybe 1080/60, can't confirm) over the pc input (xga i believe, maybe vga... don't use htpc so don't care) or firewire, but NOT hdmi. All other TV's, including all flat panel displays (sharp aquos lcd, others) can only accept up to 1080i / 720p, and then upconvert to 1080p. Cable, in it's current form, doesn't have the bandwidth for 1080p, and the only way to send it would be to condense it so much that it would not look much better than current 1080i, except with more artifacts due to the compression. Sony still says the PS3 will possibly support 1080p (I doubt any games at launch will though.... what motivation is there for sony since XBOX missed the 1080p boat..), and htpc will support 1080p of course. Blu-ray and hd-dvd is still very much up in the air as far as 1080p goes, at least from what I have heard.

Don't ever ask customer support questions about a certain product their company carries. I'm pretty sure they just have the same manual that you can download off the internet, and if it isn't in there they aren't gonna answer. you're better off scanning forums until you find an owner, and then ask them to answer your questions.

Happy HD-ing.
Hanse

 

[westcott]

Hi, I am thinking of getting a new tv like the new Sony SXRD, but I keep reading everywhere that though its a 1080p set it cant receiver a 1080p signal, and nor can most 1080p sets. I dont understand that at all. I don understand that nothing is broadcasting in 1080p but still how can these companys say they have 1080p and then the tv cant accept it?

Any help would be appriciated, because I am trying to figure out whether to wait for new tvs or not. Thanks a lot.

The manufacturers know that most buyers are completely clueless about the technology and hope to snare unsuspecting buyers based on all the marketing hype of 1080p.

I am impressed that you are not one of them.

Even if they did accept a 1080p signal, there is no material presently filmed at this frame rate nor are there any editing desks that can handle the material even if there was a camera built to film it.

I have the same TV you have and I bought it recently. Why?

Because standard definition programming looks like !@#$ when blown up to screen sizes of 50" or more. My screen is 100" and so my Sony still gets a good workout. Not to mention, there is very little HD programming in 720p and 1080i. So do not remorse. Your Sony will still give you great service over the next few years until HD becomes more readily availalble.

1080p. Well, if it is here by this time next year, I will be surprised. It will not be released with HD DVD or Blue Ray or any other technology I am aware of any time soon!!!!

My advice. Buy a nice, inexpensive 1280 x 720 display for now and wait for programming to become readily availalbe. The money you will save would probably pay for one of these displays.

 

[ca_newbee]

Standards change!... its more important that you can enjoy the music, movies, and TV that you want to watch. Most of what I will be watching in the next 12 months will be 480p DVD's (yes I have a lot of them)... sometime next year when there's HD stuff available that I want to watch I expect to get an HD PVR (720P/1080i). I don't see when Blue-ray or HD-DVD will be mainstream (or more importantly affordable), certainly not next year. Your choice should reflect what is available and allows you to use enjoy the investment now

 

[MAX661]

Here in Canada Rogers has 31 HD channels and with my PVR I always have more than enough HD content to watch. To tell you the truth I only watch 2 shows that are SD. With that aside I think people are caught up in the wrong aspect of these 1080p TV's.

The fact is the SXRD sets have a drastically improved contrast ratio, An excellent response time of 2ms, excellent color, No SDE and many other benefits. These are more important to your overall PQ than just a 1080p input.

I mean would you buy a set with a 1080p input that has a 1000:1 CR and a response time of 10ms and up that also had alot of SDE? I know I wouldn't even if there was ample 1080p content available.

Dont get caught up in the hype, I'd rather get lost in the picture quality.

 

[westcott]

With that aside I think people are caught up in the wrong aspect of these 1080p TV's.

The fact is the SXRD sets have a drastically improved contrast ratio, An excellent response time of 2ms, excellent color, No SDE and many other benefits. These are more important to your overall PQ than just a 1080p input.

Dont get caught up in the hype, I'd rather get lost in the picture quality.

Well said.

I am growing concerned of the short warranties and limited liability by the manufactures of cutting edge technologies though.

I hope I am wrong.