720p or 1080p for a plasma tv?

Question

We are getting a 42" panasonic plasma. Should we get the 720p or 1080p? I hear you can't really tell the difference much on small screens. What's your experience with this?

Answer 1

This is somewhat true.  The difference is most noticable on larger screens.  You should be able to see a difference between 720 and 1080 on a 42".  You will also limit yourself as a lot of sources are 1080i, and you wont see the full resolution on a 720p TV.  Both are good, though... the technology coming out now is going towards 1080 and 1080p, so I'd rather be closer to the top than the middle or lower.

Answer 2

1080p.  No question about it.

Answer 3

I own 42" Panasonic 720p (TH-42PX75U) plasma & love it. Incrediable HD picture quality! You can not tell the difference in side by side comparisons. Waste your money on 1080p if you are convinced by the hype. Just remember that 90% of your HD broadcasted content is 720p and this content will ALWAYS look the best on a native 720p TV. Up-conversion to 1080p requires interpretation of the incoming signal (1,000,000 pixels worth of info) and the invention of another 1,000,000 pixels. This can only result in a less clear image and increases pixelization due to processor loading, especially during scene changes and sports programming.

Additional details: It does not matter your source. 1080p on a 42" plasma TV at normal viewing distances is just a waste of money.

Answer 4

Well, for the viewing distance check my source. For people with good eyes, it's noticeable at a much further distance than for those with bad eyes.

However, one thing to keep in mind is the actual pixel count. If it says 1080P but the resolution is 1024x1024, then it isn't an actual 1080P screen. It just has the ability to accept 1080P 1920x1080 signals and will then display them in 1024x1024.

Answer 5

It depends on what you are using as a source.  To date the only sources that will take full advantage of the 1080p capabilities of a television are blu-ray, and some Xbox-360 or PS3 games.  HD cable is sometimes broadcast in 1080i as opposed to 1080p but this is almost equivalent to a 720p system.  So unless you plan on investing in a full HD source there is no reason to get a 1080p television.