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Could someone explain HDTV resolutions for me?

GTaudiophile

GTaudiophile

Lifer
I am starting to look at HDTVs myself, and it's mind-boggling to see all the terms thrown around. Someone care to set me straight?

720i, 720p, 1080i, 1080p?

HDTV vs. EDTV?

Will TV standards change once again once HD-DVDs become available?

Why can a computer change resolutions easily but TVs cannot? Why not just build a TV that can do 1600x1200 when that becomes standard? If a $25 videocard can do it, why not a TV?
 
Oh, and I too am looking at a HDTV in the $2,000 range. LCD or DLP preferrable. Quality of picture over size.

Or should I spend $2K on a projector?
 
I've been trying to understand that for a long time now. My only conclussion - the more confused the consumers are, the more money the industry makes.
 
Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I am starting to look at HDTVs myself, and it's mind-boggling to see all the terms thrown around. Someone care to set me straight?

720i, 720p, 1080i, 1080p?

HDTV vs. EDTV?

Will TV standards change once again once HD-DVDs become available?

Why can a computer change resolutions easily but TVs cannot? Why not just build a TV that can do 1600x1200 when that becomes standard? If a $25 videocard can do it, why not a TV?
Click to expand...

You build a 32" TV that runs 16x12 and have it be cheap. 😛

http://www.hdtv.net/faq.htm is a good place to start.

- M4H
 
720i != HDTV

720p/1080i = HDTV

1080p = not commercially available yet (don't think so) but it's better than 720p/1080i

i = interlaced
p = progressive

EDTV = enhanced definition = 480p (progressive scan)
HDTV = high definition = 720p/1080i

if you get an HDTV, make SURE to get a 16:9. getting a 4:3 HDTV is about the most pointless thing you can do. i recomment a samsung (although i'm biased because I have one 😛). their 46" DLP should probably run about $2400 now a days.
 
So, a 16:9 TV that can handle at least 1080i is the minimum I should shoot for.

I've heard that 1080p will be out by the end of the year, so I might as well wait and see? Which would work better with a new HD-DVD player?
 
As for brand, Mitsubishi is hands down the best RPTV.

I don't know about DLP/LCD tv's though, but I have heard good things about Samsung.
 
Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
So, a 16:9 TV that can handle at least 1080i is the minimum I should shoot for.

I've heard that 1080p will be out by the end of the year, so I might as well wait and see? Which would work better with a new HD-DVD player?
Click to expand...

some people like 720p better than 1080i, some like 1080i better than 720p. its all personal preferences, and honestly you can't really tell the difference unless you are trying to look for a difference. on my tv, it can take 1080i but always displays 720p.

1080p may be out by the end of the year, but it is going to cost you $$$$. i'm not even sure what the actual name of 1080p is since apparently its better than current HDTV.
 
Originally posted by: MCrusty
As for brand, Mitsubishi is hands down the best RPTV.

I don't know about DLP/LCD tv's though, but I have heard good things about Samsung.
Click to expand...

there are two types of LCD tv's ...

LCD RPTV
LCD Monitors (like a computer monitor)

the 2nd one doesn't get very big. and trust me, you don't want to get any old CRT RPTV (which i believe the guy was referring to when he said RPTV above).

my 50" DLP weighs 77lbs and is 14" deep at its max. my bro's roomate just bought a 65" CRT RPTV mitsubishi, and that thing weighs over 300 pounds and is just monstrous in the room it takes up.
 
Originally posted by: purbeast0
Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
So, a 16:9 TV that can handle at least 1080i is the minimum I should shoot for.

I've heard that 1080p will be out by the end of the year, so I might as well wait and see? Which would work better with a new HD-DVD player?
Click to expand...

some people like 720p better than 1080i, some like 1080i better than 720p. its all personal preferences, and honestly you can't really tell the difference unless you are trying to look for a difference. on my tv, it can take 1080i but always displays 720p.

1080p may be out by the end of the year, but it is going to cost you $$$$. i'm not even sure what the actual name of 1080p is since apparently its better than current HDTV.
Click to expand...

SO I guess the waiting game continues. I won't buy an HDTV until the new HD-DVD players are released.

Damned industry changing crap around every year!
 
To put it in terms you'll likely understand better:

480p = x480 (horizontal varies by TV)
720p = 1280x720
1080p = 1920x1080

Only now are sets finally coming to market that are able to do full 1920 horizontal, and 1080p vertical. TI's newest DLP chip is 1920x1080, it's not going to be in your price range any time soon though.

Right now there are no 1080P broadcasts, and no media that supports it. HD DVD may support it but who knows. It's likely we'll end up with "upconverting" players much like we have now if the media doesn't natively support it.

RPTV does not mean CRT, it simply means rear projection - The image is projected from behind the screen rather than the front (like a typical data projector). The source of the image can be CRT, LCD, DLP, LCOS, whatever you want, there are lots of technologies out there.

Viper GTS
 
All you need to be concerned with is:

1) whether or not the set will accept a signal input of 720p and 1080i (very few sets support 1080p)
2) the native resolution of the display

If #1 is true, then the display will automatically scale the input signal to it's native resolution. True, the official resolutions are supposed to be 1280x720 and 1920x1080, but due to economies of making a digital display you'll find native resolutions all over the place, especially with plasma and LCD monitors.


HD broadcast standards aren't going to change for a long time. If you intend on buying a HD DVD or Blu-ray player in the future, just make sure you buy a television with DVI or HDMI inputs with HDCP support.
 
Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Originally posted by: purbeast0
Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
So, a 16:9 TV that can handle at least 1080i is the minimum I should shoot for.

I've heard that 1080p will be out by the end of the year, so I might as well wait and see? Which would work better with a new HD-DVD player?
Click to expand...

some people like 720p better than 1080i, some like 1080i better than 720p. its all personal preferences, and honestly you can't really tell the difference unless you are trying to look for a difference. on my tv, it can take 1080i but always displays 720p.

1080p may be out by the end of the year, but it is going to cost you $$$$. i'm not even sure what the actual name of 1080p is since apparently its better than current HDTV.
Click to expand...

SO I guess the waiting game continues. I won't buy an HDTV until the new HD-DVD players are released.

Damned industry changing crap around every year!
Click to expand...

heh then don't start looking (as you stated in your OP) until you are actually going to buy. technology changes too quickly to do research now and then wait months to buy.
 
native resolution is the key these days.... Doesnt matter so much in the Rear Projection TV's but LCD/DLP/Plasma its very importand to get one that is native atleast 720p.

The EDTV's (IE cheap ones) are native 480p (prograssive scan DVD) but they can "take" a 720p or 1080i source and downconvert it to 480p and really negates the need for having a HD source.
 
Originally posted by: purbeast0
Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Originally posted by: purbeast0
Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
So, a 16:9 TV that can handle at least 1080i is the minimum I should shoot for.

I've heard that 1080p will be out by the end of the year, so I might as well wait and see? Which would work better with a new HD-DVD player?
Click to expand...

some people like 720p better than 1080i, some like 1080i better than 720p. its all personal preferences, and honestly you can't really tell the difference unless you are trying to look for a difference. on my tv, it can take 1080i but always displays 720p.

1080p may be out by the end of the year, but it is going to cost you $$$$. i'm not even sure what the actual name of 1080p is since apparently its better than current HDTV.
Click to expand...

SO I guess the waiting game continues. I won't buy an HDTV until the new HD-DVD players are released.

Damned industry changing crap around every year!
Click to expand...

heh then don't start looking (as you stated in your OP) until you are actually going to buy. technology changes too quickly to do research now and then wait months to buy.
Click to expand...

It's never too early to research IMO. Getting a grasp now means I'll have a basis for what comes next.
 
BTW, no current CRT based home theater display can fully resolve 1080i. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
 
Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Oh, and I too am looking at a HDTV in the $2,000 range. LCD or DLP preferrable. Quality of picture over size.

Or should I spend $2K on a projector?
Click to expand...

If you have a room that's suitable for a projector, it could be a nice option. Panasonic AE700 is about $2000. If you can go to some specialty store that has one in your area, go check it out (or other projectors in the price range by infocus, sanyo, optoma etc.)

 
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