LCD TV question (DirecTV/PS3)

[Kurp]

I currently have a 40" 720p/1080i Samsung TV that I'm happy with. But, I'm wondering if I'd see much of a gain going to a 1080p version.

I've heard that DirecTV doesn't support 1080p for their normal broadcasts, so it doesn't seem worth it on this front. So now, I'm mostly concerned with PS3 and 1080p games, which seem few and far between. How much of a difference will I actually see?

Will a 1080p TV with different sized pixels or w/e display 720p/1080i images better?

Should I just stand pat with my TV now and wait for more things that I'd actually use 1080p for?

[Blabj]

It's likely that most things would be upscaled on the 1080p TV. Either by the hardware (PS3) or by the TV itself (DirecTV). This isn't necessarily a bad thing, since there isn't a huge loss of quality, but it wont be "true" HD.
The mantra of signal is only as good as the source kinda comes into play. If you have 720p footage you'll be hard pressed to get as good as 1080p because it's not natively at that exact resolution (bit of a backwards way of describing it I guess...)

Since you'll be upscaling most likely, it wont really be a "better" picture. And it's entirely up to you if you want to go for a 1080p TV now or later. There will definately be more products that will use 1080p in the future, but like most technology, this is constantly shifting forwards at some pace, so what you buy now might not be as good as stuff that comes out in years to come.

My personal opinion would be if you're happy with the TV you have now, don't worry about it! It seems to me like the problem is more in your mind than anything else, you think because 720p is a lesser number it must be much worse, but like you say, there isn't a whole lot that utlizes 1080p yet so why worry?!

[Kurp]

Yeah, I've been putting off upgrading since it doesn't seem like it'd be worthwhile now. I'm just wondering if there is a stark difference in between the two resolutions for TV.

[Furtwangler]

you won't notice a real visible difference with either, it's very subtle and not many people can see it at all.

[Alishe]

I currently have a 40" 720p/1080i Samsung TV that I'm happy with. But, I'm wondering if I'd see much of a gain going to a 1080p version.

I've heard that DirecTV doesn't support 1080p for their normal broadcasts, so it doesn't seem worth it on this front. So now, I'm mostly concerned with PS3 and 1080p games, which seem few and far between. How much of a difference will I actually see?

Will a 1080p TV with different sized pixels or w/e display 720p/1080i images better?

Should I just stand pat with my TV now and wait for more things that I'd actually use 1080p for?

Sounds like we may have the same TV. Does your HDMI input work? Because mine gave out on me and haven't really put much effort into fixing it since I also have a 52in (1080i rear projection) and a 61in (1080p LED DLP) that do have HDMI.

Just curious if maybe it's a common problem with 40in Samsung LCDs.

[Checks91]

<quote>Will a 1080p TV with different sized pixels or w/e display 720p/1080i images better?</quote>
No. The television will change its resolution to match the input.

<quote> Should I just stand pat with my TV now and wait for more things that I'd actually use 1080p for?</quote>
In all honesty you won't notice much of a difference at all around the 40" and less range. If you were buying a larger TV (Lets say a 47"), then it is worth it for the most part if the games you are playing support 1080p. At that screen size and resolution there will be less grain and distortion.

The major factor with any television is the contrast ratio (higer the better), plasma/lcd/led, and lighting conditions. If you play in near-darkness then plasma will be the best. If you play with a light on LCD provides a better picture. LED is essentially a better form of LCD and gives a gorgeous picture regardless of lighting condition, but still preferably with a light on.

<quote>Should I just stand pat with my TV now and wait for more things that I'd actually use 1080p for?</quote>
Yes.



I hope this helped a little bit.

[Kurp]

Sounds like we may have the same TV. Does your HDMI input work? Because mine gave out on me and haven't really put much effort into fixing it since I also have a 52in (1080i rear projection) and a 61in (1080p LED DLP) that do have HDMI.

Just curious if maybe it's a common problem with 40in Samsung LCDs.

Mine work fine. I've only plugged the HDMI cables once though and left them there, so low wear and tear on the ports.

Thanks everyone for the advice.

[Kaisha]

It's likely that most things would be upscaled on the 1080p TV. Either by the hardware (PS3) or by the TV itself (DirecTV)..

Should be noted PS3 won't upscale games from 720p to 1080p, unless the game specifically supports it. The only thing it will upscale from a lower-format are video media. (DVDs, DivX, MPEG, etc, which btw it has a friggen nice upscaler built-in as far as DVDs are concerned)

[Shojin]

I'm guessing your HDTV is 60hz, 120hz HDTV's are dropping in price and there will be even better deals if you wait a little longer as I believe 240hz HDTV's are starting to be produced. (and maybe even 300hz after that, so that NTSC and PAL will both work flawlessly?)

Anyway, if you're upgrading you should probably aim for a higher refresh rate (as well as resolution). Some people dislike 120hz (because it makes movement look too fluid and real-life like), but Blu-Ray looks insane on them depending on the HDTV. You can go to Best Buy or something and check out the 120hz HDTV's, they usually have a blu-ray running in them, or you can ask one of the employees. I probably won't be buying a new HDTV for at least a few years, but when I do I'll be aiming for at least 1080p and 120hz. Or you could wait for LED HDTV's to drop in price, I hear they blow LCD out of the water.

[Tyche]

Or, just not buy a LCD and get a plasma.

[Darus Grey]

Or, just not buy a LCD and get a plasma.

^
There is no real benefit to LCD anymore, Plasmas has pulled ahead as clearly superior.

[Alishe]

^
There is no real benefit to LCD anymore, Plasmas has pulled ahead as clearly superior.

Major benefit I can think of is price :X That's just me though, hell if I could afford it I'd have a plasma in a heartbeat. I got a 61in LED DLP for 1100$ with a stand though (1080p 120hz), so with a deal like that I couldn't pass it up.

[Darus Grey]

When you can get good 40-50 inch Plasmas in the $800-$1100 range, don't see how price is an issue.

The LCDs you can get for that same price aren't even in the same playing field anymore.

[Alishe]

When you can get good 40-50 inch Plasmas in the $800-$1100 range, don't see how price is an issue.

The LCDs you can get for that same price aren't even in the same playing field anymore.

Which would you suggest in that price range? Also, we were going for size too as the room is quite large (sitting about 25' away).

[Darus Grey]

25 *feet*? At that range you're talking projector only. Optimum size for that viewing distance is over 200 inches.

Move closer to the TV! There's really no other solution.

Best bang/buck right now is in the 40-50inch Panasonics of the S1 series in terms of Plasma.

[Alishe]

Can't just stick the TV or the couch in the middle of the room haha. Would make the room look like horrible. Granted, the couch is a large sectional so depending on where you sit you get closer to the TV, but the best spot on it just so happens to be furthest from the TV

[Darus Grey]

You're gonna be unhappy in that situation regardless of TV size, you either need a projector or else re-arrange the room.

Honestly 25ft away is "why bother?" territory. If I was in that situation I'd start considering putting it in a different room entirely.

[Alishe]

Would love a projector! Would love the cash for one too! I am happy with what I have, no matter what there will always be something better. Can't dwell on what you don't have or you'll never be happy, just enjoy what you do.

[Amastacia]

^
There is no real benefit to LCD anymore, Plasmas has pulled ahead as clearly superior.

Operating costs? Plasmas suck down an unholy amount of electricity.