720 or 1080?

[BuckBackHome]

I am considering replacing my decade old TV with an HD. The choices are obviously between a 720 or 1080 (I am going with an LCD). Since shows are broadcast in 720, at least for the next year or two, and only BlueRay is at 1080, what are the benefits to spend the extra money on a 1080?

 

[jwinslow]

I'll follow up later with a Moe indepth response later, I'm on my phone currently.

1) decide what size you want, and how far you sit from the TV. Many times the size to distance ratio is such that the difference between the two resolutions is imperceptible.

2) you can go large (50") for 1000-1500 in 720p plasma. 1080p will generally run 2500+.

3) are you going to be investing in bluray right now? 300-400 for player, 20-30 per disc. Add that to the 700-1000 extra for the 1080p, and you've more than doubled your costs.

my personal opinion when I upgraded a month ago, you're going from old school to widescreen high-def TV. That by itself is a glorious upgrade. How much more bang for the buck will you really get out of 1080p?

If I spend a grand now, its easier for me to justify a second TV in 5 years or so, perhaps for the office or bedroom. If I spent 2500 on 1080p, I feel like I've already spent the 2nd TV money.

 

[jwinslow]

Like you said also, no one broadcasts in 1080p. Not everyone is even in HD yet, how long before 1080p is the standard? 3 years? 5? By then, how much will that same TV cost? I'm guessing you'll be able to pick it up and have a second HDTV (1080p for this one) for around the price of one 1080p HDTV now.

Drop me a PM, as i have a way to get a great deal on a new TV.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

I am considering replacing my decade old TV with an HD. The choices are obviously between a 720 or 1080 (I am going with an LCD). Since shows are broadcast in 720, at least for the next year or two, and only BlueRay is at 1080, what are the benefits to spend the extra money on a 1080?

Many sports events are in 1080. Also, with the demise of Toshiba's HD DVD format, only Blu-Ray is left so you're going to have to go 1080p eventually. My co-worker just got a 1080p TV and he said with with Blu-Ray disks there's no comparison to anything else...

 

[jwinslow]

1) decide what size you want, and how far you sit from the TV. Many times the size to distance ratio is such that the difference between the two resolutions is imperceptible.

For our living room arrangement, we would need a 50" to notice the 1080p distinction... and that was way out of our pricerange.

 

[CleveBucks]

Nothing is broadcast in 1080p. Cable companies don't have the bandwidth capability to deliver 1080p content. Verizon might with the FIOS which is fiber to the premises. ATT Uvere might with fiber to the node once they allocate some more bandwith to the premises. I wouldn't expect to see any 1080p content broadcast for a long time. I personally couldn't justify shelling out for 1080p. 720 looks great to me.