Why are plasmas only 1024x768 pixels?

[neo265]

Apologies if asking what has been asked, but I had no luck with the search.

As I understand, 720p requires 1280x720 pixels and I've noticed most plasmas are only 1024 pixels wide. Why is this? Is the loss of horizontal resolution noticeable?

I have a Panny 37LX70 on the way. Finally joined the HD era.

Thanks.

 

[pjskel]

Plasmas have always been made using rectangular pixels, so you get 16:9 aspect form factor, but with a 4:3 image.
It's the one thing since 50"+ started using square pixels, that has held me back from jumping in at a more affordable 42" model.
Hopefully this will change next year, but it may be longer, depending on how much it costs the manufacturing plants to change over to the square pixel glass.

 

[neo265]

I did wonder if it was the pixel shape.

Thanks

 

[Deleted member 186976]

Plasmas have always been made using rectangular pixels, so you get 16:9 aspect form factor, but with a 4:3 image.
It's the one thing since 50"+ started using square pixels, that has held me back from jumping in at a more affordable 42" model.
Hopefully this will change next year, but it may be longer, depending on how much it costs the manufacturing plants to change over to the square pixel glass.

ehh? 4:3 image ?? on a 16:9 screen. So black bars all over the place? Or otherwise a stretched image?

 

[choddo2006]

Er, no. It's a 16:9 image, using a 4:3 resolution with rectangular pixels.

and no, it's not really noticeable. After all, how many sources are 720p anyway? So you've got 3 or 4 different resolutions that you need to fit across however many pixels your screen has.

 

[pjskel]

Sorry, should've said physical resolution.
Oops-a-daisy!