720 vs 1080

[Kentphil]

Will be buying a new LCD tv soon and not sure if its worth the bit extra to get a 1080 resolution tv? Any views on this?

I have Virgin V+ Hd which i think broadcasts at 1080, but can you really tell the difference between 720 and 1080?

 

[Lysander]

Yup...............but only on 32" screens and above.......the bigger the screen, the more noticeable the difference will be- I'd say its worth the extra for full 1080p HD.

 

[MartinYorkshire]

It is absolutely worth it. Without 1080, bluray is pointless. There still isnt much 1080, if any, content broadcast publically but if you're making the investment, go 1080 and 100hz. Should last a good while.

A good bluray player, i.e PS3, upscales normal DVD's and is quite noticeable.

1080 is razor sharp, 720 not so much. IMO 720 was just a marketing ploy.

Edit: Virgin does do 1080, Sky does not as far as I know due to bandwidth issues. Also, a PS3 is a worthwhile investment here, its one of the best bluray players around (of any price level) and you can stream HD video directly from a PC if you have windows 7 and a decent network setup. I did it instead of building a media center. Worked out loads cheaper.

 

[MartinYorkshire]

Oh and if you worry about the cost of replacing all your DVD's with Bluray, join a rental club, its like £10 a month or so and they post them in freepost envelopes. Works a treat and costs way less than cinema

 

[stedlocks]

1080 is definately worth it......... You will regret it not going the extra bit

 

[stewlewis]

Yep go for 1080 now, you'll always wish you did if you don't.
2nd the comment on the PS3, the upscaling in fantastic, even 320x200(ish) downloaded DivX stuff is easily watchable on my 42".

From 12ft away. Viewing distance now there's a thing with screen size...

http://myhometheater.homestead.com/viewingdistancecalculator.html

 

[Lysander]

And screen size- always get the size up from what ye think ye should, or ye will regret it.

FACT

 

[6.5x55]

I recently inherited a brand new Samsung 26" 1080 telly. I didn't even have a telly before but I've already bought a Panasonic bluray player and have just upgraded my hi-fi speakers to Wharfedale Diamond 10.1s :shock: . I have bought about a dozen bluray films as well.

That's how addictive high def is, I'm already plotting how to afford a 37" or 40" telly .

 

[legrandefromage]

HD doesnt really come into play until you get to the larger screen sizes and is wasted on screens with low contrast ratings and terrible image processing.

Although I hate footy, always watch a HD football demo - if the ball stays fairly sharp, thats a good screen regardless of manufacturer.

No matter how many pixels you throw at a screen, if the screen's video processing is poor, the picture will be naff.

 

[perry]

Liberate your soul and burn the tv .