1080i / 1080p question, AND 5.1 / 7.1 ch question...

[giantpinkbunnyhead]

OK, two questions here...

First, suppose I have an HD-DVD player that cranks out a movie at 1080i. I send this to my receiver and then to my TV via HDMI cables. Now, suppose my TV is 1080p capable. Will this movie remain at 1080i, or will my TV make it 1080p?

Second... is there any benefit to setting up 7.1 channel audio vs. 5.1? Is anything even coded in 7.1 yet? I keep seeing media in 5.1. I'm trying to debate if I should set up 7.1 in the main room, or reserve those last two channels for a second room.

 

[keeleysam]

1. It is 1080i. Period.

2. If you reciever can handle it, go for it. Blu-ray and HD-DVD can do 7.1 audio.

 

[her209]

1080i = 1080 / 2 = 540p

 

[HendrixFan]

1. Depends on your TV. Some TVs will take any HD signal and convert it to 720p. Some will take any HD signal and convert it to 1080i. Still others may convert any signal to 1080p. Finally, other TVs will display HD content in its native format. So, it depends on your TV.

2. Some DVDs are encoded in 7.1, and the new HD formats will include 7.1 tracks for alot of the movies. I personally dont see much benefit in 7.1 over 5.1. Try it out and see what you think is best.

 

[hellokeith]

Hendrix is correct. Now there are some signal processors which can upconvert as well, and a few receivers, so you'd need to check what's happening in that step also, to find out what is acutally making it to your tv.

7.1 material on regular DVD's is matrixed afaik, so the two extra channels are not full range. I suppose if you think you'll be getting alot of Blue Ray / HD-DVD's, then you could benefit from a 7.1 system. But like Hendrix said, there isn't as much benefit, so I would recommend putting the extra money into a better 5.1 speaker set.

 

[spidey07]

1080i = 1080p so your TV will display it as 1080 progressively.

7.1 is very worth it if you have the space to enjoy it. Tons of movies out there with either a matrixed or separate rear channel. It works very well. Also many receivers can do 7.1 and have another room - you switch between using the rear speakers or the other room.

 

[Reckoner]

Originally posted by: spidey07
1080i = 1080p so your TV will display it as 1080 progressively.

7.1 is very worth it if you have the space to enjoy it. Tons of movies out there with either a matrixed or separate rear channel. It works very well. Also many receivers can do 7.1 and have another room - you switch between using the rear speakers or the other room.

QFT, your 1080p tv will take the 1080i signal and convert it back to 1080p

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Originally posted by: giantpinkbunnyhead
OK, two questions here...

First, suppose I have an HD-DVD player that cranks out a movie at 1080i. I send this to my receiver and then to my TV via HDMI cables. Now, suppose my TV is 1080p capable. Will this movie remain at 1080i, or will my TV make it 1080p?

Your TV will not make the incoming signal 1080p. It will however scale the incoming 1080i image to 1080p to fit its raster. If you have a 1080p TV then the only image it can display is 1080p. It scales all incoming signals to match the pixel map on the DLP chip/LCOS array/LCD panels. (Whatever kind of 1080p TV you happen to have)

Second... is there any benefit to setting up 7.1 channel audio vs. 5.1? Is anything even coded in 7.1 yet? I keep seeing media in 5.1. I'm trying to debate if I should set up 7.1 in the main room, or reserve those last two channels for a second room.

1. Yes. If you have the room for the extra speakers, 7.1 creates a much biger sweet spot for the surround channels. It also creates a more holographic audio experience when it's done right.

2. Yes. Google Dolby EX and dts ES for titles. Also, most receivers are fairly good at "faking" a 7.1 sound out of a 5.1 signal so you don't have to limit yourself to just those titles that have a native 7.1 sound track.

 

[0roo0roo]

for film 1080i source i'd assume a good tv would reconstruct 1080p from that.

 

[CoveX]

A 1080p capable TV set should be able to deinterlace film-based material from 1080i -> 1080p, and display all pixels correctly.

Aren't the existing matrixed Dolby EX tracks 6.1 instead of 7.1? With an additional "center surround channel" instead of 4 surrounds. Don't know, I'm perfectly happy to stay with my 5.1 setup for the foreseeable future.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Originally posted by: CoveX
A 1080p capable TV set should be able to deinterlace film-based material from 1080i -> 1080p, and display all pixels correctly.

Aren't the existing matrixed Dolby EX tracks 6.1 instead of 7.1? With an additional "center surround channel" instead of 4 surrounds. Don't know, I'm perfectly happy to stay with my 5.1 setup for the foreseeable future.

Yes. The rear surround channel in the Dolby system is a matrixed/mono signal with limited frequency response akin to the surround channels in the old pro-logic system. It works best with two speakers but it is a single channel.

dts ES is a true seven channel system. All seven channels are potentially full range sound with independent signal.

 

[giantpinkbunnyhead]

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
Your TV will not make the incoming signal 1080p. It will however scale the incoming 1080i image to 1080p to fit its raster. If you have a 1080p TV then the only image it can display is 1080p. It scales all incoming signals to match the pixel map on the DLP chip/LCOS array/LCD panels. (Whatever kind of 1080p TV you happen to have)

Cool, thanks for the info. The TV in question is the 42" Westinghouse LCD. I forget the model number but as far as I know they only make one 42". So if this screen won't make the incoming signal into 1080p, but scales it up... what's the difference? Does this mean that my TV would do the exact same thing to a regular DVD that an upconverting player would do? Thereby making the upconverting feature a moot point while selecting a DVD player?

1. Yes. If you have the room for the extra speakers, 7.1 creates a much biger sweet spot for the surround channels. It also creates a more holographic audio experience when it's done right.

2. Yes. Google Dolby EX and dts ES for titles. Also, most receivers are fairly good at "faking" a 7.1 sound out of a 5.1 signal so you don't have to limit yourself to just those titles that have a native 7.1 sound track.

That's good to know... I'll be going back to Shimeks here in a few days to purchase the speakers...just need to figure out whether to buy for 5.1 or 7.1. I'll check out those searches for some titles and see what the playing field is like.

 

[Reckoner]

Originally posted by: giantpinkbunnyhead

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
Your TV will not make the incoming signal 1080p. It will however scale the incoming 1080i image to 1080p to fit its raster. If you have a 1080p TV then the only image it can display is 1080p. It scales all incoming signals to match the pixel map on the DLP chip/LCOS array/LCD panels. (Whatever kind of 1080p TV you happen to have)

Cool, thanks for the info. The TV in question is the 42" Westinghouse LCD. I forget the model number but as far as I know they only make one 42". So if this screen won't make the incoming signal into 1080p, but scales it up... what's the difference? Does this mean that my TV would do the exact same thing to a regular DVD that an upconverting player would do? Thereby making the upconverting feature a moot point while selecting a DVD player?

1. Yes. If you have the room for the extra speakers, 7.1 creates a much biger sweet spot for the surround channels. It also creates a more holographic audio experience when it's done right.

2. Yes. Google Dolby EX and dts ES for titles. Also, most receivers are fairly good at "faking" a 7.1 sound out of a 5.1 signal so you don't have to limit yourself to just those titles that have a native 7.1 sound track.

That's good to know... I'll be going back to Shimeks here in a few days to purchase the speakers...just need to figure out whether to buy for 5.1 or 7.1. I'll check out those searches for some titles and see what the playing field is like.

If you have the space, go for 7.1

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Originally posted by: her209
1080i = 1080 / 2 = 540p

false

a more accurate comparision would be 1920x1080 / 2 = 1,036,800 :: 1280x720 = 921,600

1080i offers a superior picture for things such as movies or most TV shows because the resolution is over twice that of of 720p. 720p's strength lies with things such as fast action sports because of the higher framerate.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: PaulNEPats

Originally posted by: giantpinkbunnyhead

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
Your TV will not make the incoming signal 1080p. It will however scale the incoming 1080i image to 1080p to fit its raster. If you have a 1080p TV then the only image it can display is 1080p. It scales all incoming signals to match the pixel map on the DLP chip/LCOS array/LCD panels. (Whatever kind of 1080p TV you happen to have)

Cool, thanks for the info. The TV in question is the 42" Westinghouse LCD. I forget the model number but as far as I know they only make one 42". So if this screen won't make the incoming signal into 1080p, but scales it up... what's the difference? Does this mean that my TV would do the exact same thing to a regular DVD that an upconverting player would do? Thereby making the upconverting feature a moot point while selecting a DVD player?

1. Yes. If you have the room for the extra speakers, 7.1 creates a much biger sweet spot for the surround channels. It also creates a more holographic audio experience when it's done right.

2. Yes. Google Dolby EX and dts ES for titles. Also, most receivers are fairly good at "faking" a 7.1 sound out of a 5.1 signal so you don't have to limit yourself to just those titles that have a native 7.1 sound track.

That's good to know... I'll be going back to Shimeks here in a few days to purchase the speakers...just need to figure out whether to buy for 5.1 or 7.1. I'll check out those searches for some titles and see what the playing field is like.

If you have the space, go for 7.1

As long as your budget doesn't get in the way of you buying better stuff

I'd take a better 5.1 set with the option to add speakers later than a lower quality 7.1 set right away. Front three speakers are where to spend the most money.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: bunnyfubbles

Originally posted by: her209
1080i = 1080 / 2 = 540p

false

a more accurate comparision would be 1920x1080 / 2 = 1,036,800 :: 1280x720 = 921,600

1080i offers a superior picture for things such as movies or most TV shows because the resolution is over twice that of of 720p. 720p's strength lies with things such as fast action sports because of the higher framerate.

Just why are you dividing by two there? With modern cameras capturing at 1080P the full resulotion is alread there. If your display or de-interlacer wants to throw away half of the information it isn't the fault of the format.

1080i/60 = 1080p/30

exactly equal.

 

[blurredvision]

I'm hopping on the boat that states that 7.1 isn't all it's cracked up to be. Before even considering 7.1, make sure you have atleast 2 feet behind your sitting area for the extra rear speaker(s). It'll do you no good if you just plan on hanging them on the wall that your couch sits against, and will actually be detrimental to the regular surrounds that should be placed at the sides of your listening area.

 

[SaltBoy]

Text

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

5.1 vs 7.1
I have a 5.0 set up in our largest room. I have 12" woofers in the main, so it's prtty much a 5.1 sounding system. This is my old ssytem from 10 years ago.

For years, the 5 channel set up has been fine. it also hasn't been in a room much larger than 200 sqft. now it's in a 400 sqft room and the sound is to directional. I'm at the point where I need to upgrade to 7.1 becasue it will make a noticable difference inm my case. unfortunately, this also means I need to totally redo my system since I need smaller rears to make my wife happy. So, eventually ... I'll be upgrading to probably a Pioneer Elite receiver and ??? branded speakers.

Point is ... for smaller rooms, 5.1 will be more than adequate. 78.1 makes sense for larger rooms.

 

[mrSHEiK124]

99% of the people answering are wrong. If the 1080i material comes from a film source, IVTC will give you the original deinterlaced signal (1080p).

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
78.1 makes sense for larger rooms.

:shocked:

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: mrSHEiK124
99% of the people answering are wrong. If the 1080i material comes from a film source, IVTC will give you the original deinterlaced signal (1080p).

which is why you never, ever, ever get home theater advice from AT. Most don't "get it"

 

[mrSHEiK124]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: mrSHEiK124
99% of the people answering are wrong. If the 1080i material comes from a film source, IVTC will give you the original deinterlaced signal (1080p).

which is why you never, ever, ever get home theater advice from AT. Most don't "get it"

A couple of the people that posted mentioned good TVs being able to IVTC 1080i film material back to 1080p, but anyone convinced that a 1080p TV will take video 1080i footage, something that was shot and meant to be played interlaced, and give you true 1080p is mistaken, it'll still look funny. The only way to get true 1080p from a source other than well, 1080p, is 1080i film material that's been IVTC'd.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: mrSHEiK124
A couple of the people that posted mentioned good TVs being able to IVTC 1080i film material back to 1080p, but anyone convinced that a 1080p TV will take video 1080i footage, something that was shot and meant to be played interlaced, and give you true 1080p is mistaken, it'll still look funny. The only way to get true 1080p from a source other than well, 1080p, is 1080i film material that's been IVTC'd.

Yeah, that's the whole point. It all depends on the source and de-interlacer.

-edit-
What I mean to say is "given a good source, recorded in 1080p you can provide 1920x1080/30 without any problem. With film it's a no brainer, with video it depends on the camera and the braodcaster."

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: mrSHEiK124

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: mrSHEiK124
99% of the people answering are wrong. If the 1080i material comes from a film source, IVTC will give you the original deinterlaced signal (1080p).

which is why you never, ever, ever get home theater advice from AT. Most don't "get it"

A couple of the people that posted mentioned good TVs being able to IVTC 1080i film material back to 1080p, but anyone convinced that a 1080p TV will take video 1080i footage, something that was shot and meant to be played interlaced, and give you true 1080p is mistaken, it'll still look funny. The only way to get true 1080p from a source other than well, 1080p, is 1080i film material that's been IVTC'd.

Yup, its all about the bandwidth in the end. 1080i at 60 fields per sec is essentially equal to 1080p at 30fps. Movies are only 24fps, and some shows are 30fps, so they can be reproduced fine. But for stuff like the news that is shot at 1080i with 60 interlaced frames per sec, it wont translate to 1080p 60fps properly, cause half of the image is basically missing.