What do I need to know about 1080p?

[blurredvision]

I've worked a crapload of overtime the past 3 weeks, plus found out today that I'm getting a very sizeable bonus for doing this job. I'm hoping to use this money to upgrade my current 52" RPTV 1080i (no 720p) into something more grand, hopefully a set that will run everything, including 1080p.

I know the current state of 1080p is something of a mess, and I'm wondering if I'll get myself into trouble for the future. See, the thing is, if I purchase a new TV now, it'll be the last for a few years. I'm having trouble with the wife already, but I can bring her around if need-be, since I did work so much for the money. I'd want to buy 1080p right now while it's in my reach, but will I be able to use all the video feeds of the future, i.e. blu-ray, hd-dvd, and the game consoles?

Any good articles out there that I can read that will explain everything to me?

 

[LtPage1]

If you've already got a 52" HDTV, I don't understand why you're so excited to get something new and expensive.

 

[Kaido]

Sure, in a nutshell:

1. 720p is most common now, both for TVs and media (HDTV and so on)
2. 1080p will most eventually be the thing to get
3. Get a TV with a lot of inputs (HDMI with HDCP, DVI with HDCP, and so on)

 

[SLCentral]

No content is in 1080p right now, other then Blu-Ray (and HD-DVD next month) and even with 1080p, there's a very minimal difference in terms of quality. To get 1080p on cable/sat, you're talking at least 5-10 years, as there just isn't enough bandwith.

The only reason why I'd suggest 1080p is for a computer hookup, as in that case, the extra resolution is actually benefitial.

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: LtPage1
If you've already got a 52" HDTV, I don't understand why you're so excited to get something new and expensive.

Because some people actually like things in life. Plus, I don't make money to have it sit in a bank all my life.

Originally posted by: Kaido
Sure, in a nutshell:

1. 720p is most common now, both for TVs and media (HDTV and so on)
2. 1080p will most eventually be the thing to get
3. Get a TV with a lot of inputs (HDMI with HDCP, DVI with HDCP, and so on)

You didn't tell me a thing I didn't know. My questions is more on the standards side of things. Last I heard, 1080p wasn't even standardized yet, and at some point, I'd read that 1080p in it's then-current state was 99% buzz-term, 1% actual better tech. I'm hoping this has changed a bit.

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: SLCentral
No content is in 1080p right now, other then Blu-Ray (and HD-DVD next month) and even with 1080p, there's a very minimal difference in terms of quality. To get 1080p on cable/sat, you're talking at least 5-10 years, as there just isn't enough bandwith.

The only reason why I'd suggest 1080p is for a computer hookup, as in that case, the extra resolution is actually benefitial.

I'm very interested in movies and games in 1080p, as I'm aware that OTA-type TV will not exist in 1080p in quite some time. But I'm hoping to be as future-proof as I can be (3-5 years or so, I know I'll never truely be future-proof). I don't want standards to change down the road, and my 1080p set not work with future signals or connections.

 

[spidey07]

1080p has been a HD standard since HD was invented.

Just make sure you get a 1080p tv. Don't waste your time with anything else.

The greatest aspect of 1080p is you can display your 1080i sources without annoying flicker.

 

[SLCentral]

Originally posted by: blurredvision

Originally posted by: SLCentral
No content is in 1080p right now, other then Blu-Ray (and HD-DVD next month) and even with 1080p, there's a very minimal difference in terms of quality. To get 1080p on cable/sat, you're talking at least 5-10 years, as there just isn't enough bandwith.

The only reason why I'd suggest 1080p is for a computer hookup, as in that case, the extra resolution is actually benefitial.

I'm very interested in movies and games in 1080p, as I'm aware that OTA-type TV will not exist in 1080p in quite some time. But I'm hoping to be as future-proof as I can be (3-5 years or so, I know I'll never truely be future-proof). I don't want standards to change down the road, and my 1080p set not work with future signals or connections.

I work over at Best Buy, and we have a Blu-Ray player connected to a Samsung 1080p 40" LCD. When switching over to 720p output, there is a SLIGHT quality difference, but without it side by side I'd never notice the difference. The TV is upconverting to 1080p, but that makes little difference.

I'd suggest using the money towards a 720p Plasma/LCD. It'll be a much cooler upgrade then from a 1080i RP to a 1080p RP.

 

[spidey07]

SLCentral.

You're killing your resoution with 720p. Stop recommending that please. With larger displays it is VERY apparent. Best buy unfortunately doesn't sell those so you're not seeing the difference.

 

[JMoore]

SL Central

upconverting makes a BIG diffrence imho.

if it didn't why would we need blueray or hdvd..

 

[Queasy]

With 1080p...make sure the set you pick out accepts 1080p in natively and displays it natively as well. There's alot of chicanery where some sets don't accept 1080p signals but upconvert the signals to 1080p.

Also...need a big set to really notice the 1080p. Anything under 50" and you won't really notice the difference. 60" or so and you will.

 

[Rubycon]

Get a 5k+ lumen 1080p PJ.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: blurredvision

Originally posted by: LtPage1
If you've already got a 52" HDTV, I don't understand why you're so excited to get something new and expensive.

Because some people actually like things in life. Plus, I don't make money to have it sit in a bank all my life.

Originally posted by: Kaido
Sure, in a nutshell:

1. 720p is most common now, both for TVs and media (HDTV and so on)
2. 1080p will most eventually be the thing to get
3. Get a TV with a lot of inputs (HDMI with HDCP, DVI with HDCP, and so on)

You didn't tell me a thing I didn't know. My questions is more on the standards side of things. Last I heard, 1080p wasn't even standardized yet, and at some point, I'd read that 1080p in it's then-current state was 99% buzz-term, 1% actual better tech. I'm hoping this has changed a bit.

You didn't ask for anything specific; you should have mentioned that :disgust: At any rate, just make sure you get a set with HDCP on the digital inputs. HD protection is looking pretty sketchy and will probably end up being implmented like Macrovision, but even so, better to have it than not.

 

[Sphexi]

Were you looking to move to LCD, plasma, large screen, what? My father-in-law just got a Sharp 37" 1080p LCD, and after playing with it for a while and using a Sony upconverting 1080i DVD player, I gotta say that it looks wonderful. We don't have a true 1080p source to look at other than a computer, but the set itself is fantastic, and you can find it in the states for under $1600 or so I think.

 

[SLCentral]

Originally posted by: JMoore
SL Central

upconverting makes a BIG diffrence imho.

if it didn't why would we need blueray or hdvd..

WTF? Blu-Ray and HD-DVD is also in 720p, which is a huge upgrade over 480p. Most people won't do any upconverting.

Originally posted by: spidey07
SLCentral.

You're killing your resoution with 720p. Stop recommending that please. With larger displays it is VERY apparent. Best buy unfortunately doesn't sell those so you're not seeing the difference.

I'd beg to differ. We have Plasmas up to 63", DLP's up to 65", and a Samsung 1080p 57" LCD, and I've seen all the 1080p sets with Blu-Ray connected via 1080p. I'm not denying there is a difference, especially with larger sets, but I just don't see the difference that warrants the huge price increase for 1080p. Personal opinion. Not to mention the only 1080p content for a long time will be PS3/X360 and Blu-Ray/HD-DVD. I mostly watch TV, so my major use of the TV doesn't have 1080p.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: blurredvision

Originally posted by: SLCentral
No content is in 1080p right now, other then Blu-Ray (and HD-DVD next month) and even with 1080p, there's a very minimal difference in terms of quality. To get 1080p on cable/sat, you're talking at least 5-10 years, as there just isn't enough bandwith.

The only reason why I'd suggest 1080p is for a computer hookup, as in that case, the extra resolution is actually benefitial.

I'm very interested in movies and games in 1080p, as I'm aware that OTA-type TV will not exist in 1080p in quite some time. But I'm hoping to be as future-proof as I can be (3-5 years or so, I know I'll never truely be future-proof). I don't want standards to change down the road, and my 1080p set not work with future signals or connections.

Just make sure the set you pick out has 2 or more HDMI ports and accepts a 1080p signal natively. Standards wise, you should be set for a long time.

 

[yllus]

Satellite and cable currently don't even display uncompressed 720p signals, let alone 1080p. Free OTA signals are all 720p (AFAIK).

This generation of game consoles will have only a few titles in 1080p.

HD-DVD/Bluray titles do support 1080p, which should be quite nice.

 

[spidey07]

you don't sell any 65" plasmas and have only like one 65" model of DLP.

 

[SynthDude2001]

Originally posted by: yllus
Free OTA signals are all 720p (AFAIK).

Not in the US....CBS, PBS, and NBC are all 1080i (though there are quite a few local stations that overdo it on the multicasting so their HD doesn't look so hot )

 

[SLCentral]

Originally posted by: spidey07
you don't sell any 65" plasmas and have only like one 65" model of DLP.

Thank you for telling me what I do or do not sell. First of all, I said 63" plasma. We have sold Fujitsu 63" plasmas before (my neighbor bought one three months ago) and we just sold yesterday our last 63" Samsung plasma. No, they aren't 1080p, but I never said they were.

We have a few 65"+ DLP's. We have a Samsung 70" (or 71"?), a Mitsubishi 65", a Samsung 61", etc.

Please don't tell me what I do or do not sell.

 

[spidey07]

SLCentral, I'll stop when you stop posting misinformation about 1080p.

There is no reason whatsoever to get a TV that isn't 1080p. The year is 2006. Don't push outdated technology.

 

[SLCentral]

Originally posted by: spidey07
SLCentral, I'll stop when you stop posting misinformation about 1080p.

There is no reason whatsoever to get a TV that isn't 1080p. The year is 2006. Don't push outdated technology.

How is it outdated when it won't be used for TV for at least 5 years, likely 10?

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: Queasy
With 1080p...make sure the set you pick out accepts 1080p in natively and displays it natively as well. There's alot of chicanery where some sets don't accept 1080p signals but upconvert the signals to 1080p.

Also...need a big set to really notice the 1080p. Anything under 50" and you won't really notice the difference. 60" or so and you will.

Thanks, this is the kind info I was looking for.

Originally posted by: Kaido
You didn't ask for anything specific; you should have mentioned that :disgust:

Sorry Kaido, I guess what I was thinking while typing didn't translate well to the keyboard. Sorry bud, didn't mean to make offense.

 

[secretanchitman]

our projector can do 1080p, and let me tell you, you CAN notice the difference between 1080i and 1080p if you're a geek/someone who wants the highest quality video.

our htpc (see my sig) works nicely with it. all my games look fantastic (ut2k4 especially) and movies play great (you have to find someway to get 1080p videos though - microsoft has a couple of wmvhd 1080p clips on their site and dont forget *cough* torrents *cough*).

im willing to bet that a regular hdtv these days that do 1080p are MUCH cheapter than our families projector.

 

[Snakexor]

sl central do you work in magnolia? i am a pro I in the mount laurel store 583