I'm breaking down and getting a new flat screen. A friend of mine suggested the Panasonic 42" Plasma with 1080P. But then he also says, most HDTV signals only broadcast in 750 and only some games and Blue Ray signal in 1080P, and that TV won't get to 1080p for years. Is that right? if so, no sense paying an extra $100 or more for a 1080P. Also, is LG as good as Panasonic? thanks jb
unless you're sitting waaaay too close to your 42" tv, most people will argue that you can't see a difference between 1080i and 1080p....and since 1080i sets are much cheaper than those that support 1080p, you might as well save a few dollars.
I think you mean 760, not 750. I do believe that most HD television is broadcast in 1080i, which is better than 760.
Bluray displays video at 1080p, but on a 42" set, you won't see a difference.
Opinions always differ, but the general consensus is Pioneer Kuro's are the best plasma...followed closely by the panasonic plasmas. Aside from those two, I can't really comment on other plasmas. I know I own a panasonic and couln't be happier.
Generally I also think 1080p is hardly worth it on a smaller screen, but if the difference is only $100, it might be worth it, especially if you get a Blu-ray player.
Some HD cable is broadcast in 720p, other in 1080i. If you have a 720p display, you'll see the 1080i broadcasts downconverted to 720p. If you get a 1080p display, you'll see 1080i broadcasts upconverted to 1080p because plasma, LCD, and DLP don't interlace.
But in no case will cable or satellite broadcasts match what Blu-ray routinely accomplishes. To fit more programming within the allowed bandwidth, most HD programming has noticeable lossy compression. Fast action pixelates into blocks and sometimes colors are patchy. Another thing I've noticed is that movies on HD channels are upconverts of std-def 16:9 renditions.
With most Blu-rays made in the last year or two, the resolution is often unbelievably sharp. Sharper than you typically see in a movie theater. Are you sure you only want a 42"?
Right, I meant 720 not 750. Hmmmn, I've heard others say the same thing that, you can't really see the differnce between 1080p and 720 on a 42". but I really am not that in to tv and don't see a need for anything bigger. but just for arguments sake, how big of a tv do you need to see the difference between 1080 and 720?
I agree a quality 1080i/720p at a viewing distance up to 10' will look just as good as good 1080p. I bought a Pioneer Elite at a good discount when the 1080p's were just hitting and am hard pressed to see the difference when I see a 1080p. But when I get BluRay that may change. I would say always invest a future proof as you can and get the 1080p anyway. I'd hate to deal with any regrets down the road.
10-05-08: Joeb Right, I meant 720 not 750. Hmmmn, I've heard others say the same thing that, you can't really see the differnce between 1080p and 720 on a 42". but I really am not that in to tv and don't see a need for anything bigger. but just for arguments sake, how big of a tv do you need to see the difference between 1080 and 720?
But are you into films? Blu-ray into a 1080p display enables you to have a picture quality at home that exceeds the movie theater, and is sharp along the line of a full-resolution IMAX presentation.
In other words, if you see a 1080p Blu-ray feeding a 50" or larger 1080p display, you may change your mind about how important it is.
To answer your question, I think 42" is right on the cusp. With a Blu-ray 50GB source you'll notice the difference with a 47" display and definitely notice the difference with a 50" or larger.
All my life I've wanted to be able to afford the theater experience at home. Blu-ray into 1080p exceeds it.
It's a function of the screen size and viewing distance. I sit 15' away from 65" DLP RP, and I can't reliably distinguish 720p and 1080p. On a 42" display you'll need to sit real close to distinguish 720p and 1080p. I would guess no more than 5ft away.
If your going to watch Blue Ray movies and play games get 1080p LCD and get the fastest refresh rate you can afford. Be very AWARE of the GLARE issues with Plasma if it is going to be in a room with multiple windows.
If you use a computer with your TV, then 1080p is worth it. But for anything 50 inches and smaller, 1080p is hard to distinguish between 720p or 1080i. But everyone wants it it seems.
I did a lot of research before I recently purchased a 50" Plasma and the consensus of reviewers was that you couldn't tell the difference on TV programing. I decided to go with the Pioneer 50" 720 but could not get a decent price from Best Buy [ it was always on sale last week or would be again soon]. I ended by getting a Panasonic 50 from Costco. I am very happy with it. I paid $1200 for it compared with $2200 the Pioneer would have cost. Costco also doubles the warranty to 2 years and offers in home service at no cost. They use a special model number but it appears to be exactly the same as the top end 720 with the non reflective screen, a feature apparently no longer offered. Cnet offers some very good reviews and tests , I found it very helpful.
At 42" 720p is all you need. I think the bigger question is if you can stretch to a 50" screen. I'm not that much into TV either, but the difference in my level of involvement and enjoyment watching my 50" vs. my neighbor's 42" is huge -- night and day, especially with movies and sports. If you can swing it and your room is large enough this will make a much bigger impact on your enjoyment factor than 720p vs. 1080p.
Personally I think Panasonic has a lot more invested in plasma than LG (or just about anyone else except possibly Pioneer, but they're much more expensive), so if you're not getting a huge price break by getting something else I'd recommend Panasonic. Mine's been great.
Go with the 1080P. In this age of new technology, I suggest geting the most current. Bluray is truly amazing in 1080P (and on my 60" Pioneer Elite, the Fox football games in 720P is a dissappointment).
And I think LG is a very inferior product-with inferior customer support to boot.
I just bought a Panasonic TH-50PZ800U after looking closely at the Panasonic and Pioneer units. The Panasonic was a fantastic value and is very well done. I'm extremely happy with it.
If you can afford it, go for 1080p and you won't regret it.
In the Panasonic line, the "800U" model has THX certification, but the step-up 850U model drops this in favor of added equipment that allows you to connect your TV to the internet and download various content directly into your TV. I thought this was stupid as I plan to keep the TV for many years, and chances are, this feature will be obsolete in just a couple of years -- the same way I never recommended buying a TV with built-in VCR!
Anyway I would suggest avoiding LG and go for Samsung, Panasonic or Pioneer if you possibly can.
Hey, thanks Muiter. I had already decided on the Panasonic 42PZ80U. I have a shirt tail relative that I can get one from for around $1k. then the old Sony goes in the basement for the kids.
You need to sit within about 5' of a 42" plasma to visually resolve 1920x1080. For most installations you won't be close enough to tell the difference, and want to buy the set with the fewest other problems (green noise, bad black levels).
Hey Drew, I've heard this before, lot's of threads that say you can't see the difference between a 108p/720 ona 42". However, I have viewed a: 50" 1080P, 42" 1080p and a 42" 720 Panasonics side by side and I could quite clearly see better definition and overall higher quality picture in the 42" 1080p, all standing between 5' to 15'
I have a 720p three year old Pioneer 50" plasma HD1130 I think
the resolution from 9' away is just fine, blu rays are spectacular as is antenna broadcast digital hd
the upgrade envy sits, but then I remember that Pioneer is coming out with a 60" Kuro with pure blacks in 2009 I can wait till then to take it to the next level and keep my current set for the second room
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