Is my friend right? 720p vs. 1080i problem

[LondonBroil]

We're looking to buy a new tv for our new house. We've been researching the technologies a little and had decided on this DLP Toshiba Toshiba 52HM84 .

Have read the reviews for this model and most of them talk about how great the picture looks on the HD channels which we'd primarily be using it for.

However, after showing one of my techy friends the specs, he goes off about how the HD channels are broadcast in 1080i resolution and this TV only supports 720p. Basically he says that the TV will take the 1080i signal and digitally convert it down to 720p making the picture not look as good as a 1080i picture.

I know a few friends of friends though who have DLP TVs that are 720p and they say the picture is crystal clear, and most of the reviews I've read have no mention of the converter problem.

My friend thinks I should go with a newer 4-gun CRT HDTV that don't have the viewing angle problem that they used to have. My living room isn't extremely large though so smaller would be better.

Does anyone here own either a 720p or 1080i resolution TV and can tell me if there's THAT much of a difference between picture quality? This is our largest purchase for the house and I don't wanna screw it up. We're looking to spend around $2200-$2500 for the TV and stand (if necessary).

[STLantny]

If the guy knows what 720p v 1080i off hand, Id say go with his reccomendation. Hes too much of a tech dork to disagree with.

[cdxx]

the whole point of hdtv is going with higher resolution AND away from interlaced. 1080i is really half the information that should be going through, so what you end up with is a worse quality picture in fast moving scenes. it may look marginally nicer than 720p with still shots, but it will look a lot worse in scenes with moderate movement.

progressive over interlaced, and it's not even close.

otoh, you could splurge on 1080p, at more than twice the cost.

[BusterStacks]

[ QUOTE ]
the whole point of hdtv is going with higher resolution AND away from interlaced. 1080i is really half the information that should be going through, so what you end up with is a worse quality picture in fast moving scenes. it may look marginally nicer than 720p with still shots, but it will look a lot worse in scenes with moderate movement.

progressive over interlaced, and it's not even close.

otoh, you could splurge on 1080p, at more than twice the cost.

[/ QUOTE ]

yeah... and watch what?

[astroglide]

hd dvds are very likely to support 1080p

[cdxx]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
otoh, you could splurge on 1080p, at more than twice the cost.

[/ QUOTE ]yeah... and watch what?

[/ QUOTE ]

1080p broadcasts of course... when they will available in 2008. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] i am quite certain that 1080p tvs will display 1080i and 720p signals just fine though.

whatever you do, do not get an analog big-screen tv. in 2008, all analog broadcasts will be turned off and your tv will go dark, and possibly earlier than that in some areas. digital is the only way to go.

[Brainwalter]

Here's my understanding:

Yes, techie friend is right and a 1080i signal is going to be converted to 720p. However, I think the actual loss of picture quality is minimal or unnoticeable in real, observable terms.

[BusterStacks]

I was under the impression that HDTV broadbasts were not ever in 1080i. Either way, 1080i is not good for lots of things. If you could see a sports game in 720p vs 1080o side by side you'd take the 720p.

[LondonBroil]

[ QUOTE ]
I was under the impression that HDTV broadbasts were not ever in 1080i. Either way, 1080i is not good for lots of things. If you could see a sports game in 720p vs 1080o side by side you'd take the 720p.

[/ QUOTE ]

Please explain why. The main reason we're getting an HDTV is to watch Eagles games. Our 27" just doesn't cut it anymore especially with the picture going bad.

[BusterStacks]

http://www.axis.com/products/video/c...ssive_scan.htm