720p vs. 1080i Whick do you like?

[Bobby2x]

So in testing my setup i see that i can tell the HD cable box to go out at 720p or 1080i.
I'm having trouble discuiding which I like better....
Any thoughts?

 

[AudioSeer]

You should set it to match the native resolution of your display.

 

[Bobby2x]

Native?
The TV does it all,

Sharp Aquos LCD

I have it set in the box for 720p.

Would I get a better image from the progressive or intelaced?

 

[AudioSeer]

Technically 720p is better, especially for sports.

Watch fast moving scenes to see what I'm talking about.

 

[df4801]

As I understand it (but I could be wrong), there is no "right" answer.
Different networks broadcast HD in either 720p or 1080i.
Ideally, you want as little de-interlacing or scaling as possible.
Meaning, if you have a 720p display, then the best setup is a 720p broadcast, into set-top box at 720p, out to display at 720p. ie NO scaling or interlacing needs to be done.
Problem is, not all networks broadcast in the same format.
The question then is, what has the better processor, your set top box or your display? Let whatever is better do the work of converting the picture to your displays "native" resolution.

I have wrestled with this problem with my front pj and finally came to the conclusion. It probably doesnt matter much, just pick one and enjoy the movie!

Also, technically, 1080i is more lines of resolution than 720p, even counting 720p as double to factor in progressive scan.

 

[Khellandros66]

Was this title of this endless debate intended to have a lisp at the end... if so funny call.

~Bob

 

[~JC~]

Hooked up the new OPPO, trying to answer the same question. The OPPO intro screen is defintely better (it's a static image, not too hard to assess) at 1080i than 720p. It's a Marantz 12s4, so I think native is 720, but again, 1081i is better. But then the problem is that interlaced shows its' flaws with motion. So maybe the intro screen is not useful. But I can't assess detail at that level with motion. I'm sure that others can, but not me, I'm mortal. I was irritated that the OPPO only puts out 480i by component. I know, it was in the review, but we don't always read EVERY line do we??? It also has no discrete codes for power. The picture is fantastic through the HDMI. However, I'll probably get a 2910 for the theater.

 

[westcott]

You should set it to match the native resolution of your display.

This statement is true but you really want your best processor doing the scaling. That probably is not your cable\sat box.

I agree with df4801. You also want to match it to what the program was originally broadcast in.

HD Sports channels in 720p and 1080i for everything else, generally.

i.e. I watch ESPN HD programs with my H10 receiver set to 720p and it goes to my 720p native projector. Perfect.

All other programs in 1080i, I set the H10 receiver to 1080i, and let the projector scale down to 720p. Compromise but my projector is better suited to scale the programming.

Hope this helps.

 

[tedmjr2]

Bobby2x,

Have your cable box set its resolution to Auto so it will output either 720p (ESPN & Fox) or 1080i (all other HD channels). Your Aquos will do any needed scaling of the cable signal to its native 720p resolution. I subscribe to Cox Communications using a Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300HD and the Auto setting works out well with the native 720p 50" Panny plasma.

 

[westcott]

Bobby2x,

Have your cable box set its resolution to Auto so it will output either 720p (ESPN & Fox) or 1080i (all other HD channels). Your Aquos will do any needed scaling of the cable signal to its native 720p resolution. I subscribe to Cox Communications using a Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300HD and this works out well.

I wish I could. I have a piece of junk H10 from Directv!!!

Waiting for MPEG4 sats to activate and see what D* is going to do for me.

Any suggestions for HD sat receiver using D*?

 

[BMXTRIX]

As said, setting the cable box to output 'native' or 'auto' signal format mode will pass on the original resolution to your display. So, if you get 1080i it will send 1080i. If you get 720p it will send 720p. If you get 480i it will send 480i.

This leaves the processing in the Sharp which should be significantly better than the processing inside the cable box.

Unfortunately, the display, or cable box, may be very slow in changing from 1080i to 720p to 480i and may make watching TV difficult. I know I hated it when I set mine up. So, I just set my cable box to 1080i and only when I watch shows for extended periods of time (football) that I know are 720p do I switch my cable box. Kind of a pain, but I know how to do it and it isn't a total nightmare.

I think that you really just need to try it out and decide for yourself what you like best.