Is hi def agreed on at 720p? or is 1080p an issue?

[Adam M]

I am basically contemplaing a plasma, but having read this great forum, have been alerted to the future 1080p panels coming out from panasonic.

I know the PS3 has a 1080p output, but is it likely that other future sources of HD will go that way?

In short, I know you can always wait for model updating, but it sounds like a 1080p HD ready display is more a replacement model than a facelift in terms of technological advancement.

Is the current crop of HD ready advertising jumping the gun?

I know 720p is far better than SD, but is Hi def not going to go beyond 720 or is 1080 the NEXT logical step.

[welwynnick]

720 lines is hi def.
1080 lines is also hi def, but is better!
In this contect, the p suffix just means the display is progressive, which is meaningless, as all digital displays are progressive.
Forthcoming HD sources, such as Blu-Ray and Sky HD will provide 1080i video. When de-interlaced by a suitable processor or display, this will give you 1080p.
1080 line sources and displays will be here next year.

Nick

[andythescientis]

Pretty sure sky and cable have both said their output will be 720 at launch. I can see 720 being the standard for TV broadcasts for a long time to come.

[Stephen Neal]

Originally Posted by andythescientis

Pretty sure sky and cable have both said their output will be 720 at launch. I can see 720 being the standard for TV broadcasts for a long time to come.

Sky have not announced formats for any of their HD outlets yet. They have announced that their receivers will be 720/50p and 1080/50i capable so broadcasters on their platform can select the format that works best with their programming.

It is expected that Sky will be broadcasting in 720/50p for sports outlets, but it is also expected that Sky One and Sky Movies will be in 1080/50i.

The only reason for chosing 720/50p over 1080/50i for Sky One and Sky Movies would be if they can reduce the broadcast bandwith a bit - as almost all the source material for these two outlets will be supplied in 1080/25p (from a 1080/24p source) for which 1080/50i is the most suitable broadcast format.

I suspect, as in the US, we'll see a mix of 720/50p and 1080/50i - though we might also see a lot of 1080/50i and 25p production converted to 720/50p for transmission?

[Adam M]

so, if about to buy a plasma display, buy a 768 panel, or wait for a 1080 panel?

[welwynnick]

1080 line panels will obviously be rather more expensive than 768 line panels.
Just line 768 panels are more expensive than 480 line panels.

Yer pays yer money.....

Nick

[dan1979]

I think affordable 1080 panels are too far off to worry about unless you have a big budget, even if eventually things do switch to 1080 it will still look good on a 720 panel.

[Joe Fernand]

Hello Adam_M

I'd bet that Pioneer will be first to market in the UK with a 1920x1080P 50" Plasma Display - there will be a premium to pay but I doubt it'll be huge as these will be Pioneer's main stay products not some flagship limited quantity hand built job.

1080P on Optical Disc and over the air broadcast may be a while away - more likely I guess that your Internet connection will become your main 1080P portal.

Best regards

Joe

PS ALIS panels are not Progressive

[Adam M]

thanks guys,

that is great advice.

it still leaves me with a quandry.

since I am considering a 506xde, should I hold on, especially as the price difference doesn't look immense.

[nigelbb]

Originally Posted by Stephen Neal

I suspect, as in the US, we'll see a mix of 720/50p and 1080/50i - though we might also see a lot of 1080/50i and 25p production converted to 720/50p for transmission?

When you say we will see a mix of 720p & 1080i do you mean that they will change formats for different shows on the same channel? I thought that in the US they consistently broadcast a channel in either 720p or 1080i.

[gavinhunt`]

I'm having the same issue, got £2500 to spend (ideally less) but keep changing my mind. Buy now or wait for 1082P? Plamsa or LCD? 1080P may be the best for the future, but my concern is for the next year at least I can't see my HD viewing being more than 40% tops(not including gaming). So I'll still need to view SD? I was looking at the Philip 37" 9830 but apparantly this is not 1080p and also does not do too well with SD (this months What mag review). Now thinking 37 or 42 viera (my room size same 37 top but may sqeeze in a 42!!) I'd be interested to know your final choice. Thanks

[Nic Rhodes]

9830 is an 1080p panel. It can not however take a 1080p signal input.

I don't expect to see 1080p as a format of transmission for a VERY long time, and yes I know all about the BR / PS3 claims. The future is 720p and 1080i. 1080p may come some way in the future (long after our current kit has expired) but I expect this not to be a disc based system....

[swagger]

What will a 1366 x 768 LCD panel display 720p or 1080i or Both ? still a little confused

[neilmcl]

Originally Posted by swagger

What will a 1366 x 768 LCD panel display 720p or 1080i or Both ? still a little confused

If it is a HD Ready designated set then it will display both formats, albeit with some amount of scaling involved.

[NicolasB]

A 1366x768 (or, indeed, 1280x720) screen will display something when fed with a 1080i signal, but it won't look anywhere near as good as a 1920x1080 screen would look when fed the same signal (other things being equal).