Does it matter if I get a projector with a 720p native resolution versus one with a 1080p native resolution?

Question

I want a 1080p picture, but I'm wondering about the "supports up to" part of the projector's description on a 720 projector.

In other words, if I can spend $1500 over $2500, and still have a great picture, I'll do it.

Answer 1

TV makers have been missleading consumers with this for a long time now.  You will need a display which has a native resolution of 1920x1080 to display 1080p.  Dont be fooled with TV's that say they can accept 1080p signal but do not support the resolution.  All they do is simply take the 1080p signal and downgrade it to fit the screen native resolution.

Answer 2

Depends upon the size of the picture.  Anything under 42", you will not notice a difference between 720 and 1080.

Answer 3

Unlike small display HDTVs -- where there may be no discernable difference between a 720p and 1080p display (e.g. at viewing distances of 8-10 ft) -- with a projector and larger screen the average viewer WILL be able to see the difference between 720p and 1080p images.

The article at the link has the details but basically the argument is as follows:

- For a 100" screen size the recommended viewing distance (per THX guidelines) is between about 11.5 ft and 13.7 ft.

- For a 100" screen for a viewer with normal eyesight there will be no visible difference between 1080p and 720p images at distances over about 19 ft, but as viewing distance decreases, the increased detail of a 1080p image will be become increasingly evident, with detail being fully resolved at about 13 ft.

In other words, at optimum viewing distance a 1080p projector is the minimum resolution recommended to fully benefit from 1080p program material.

This means if you plan to watch from greater than optimum viewing distance and/or to watch HDTV (a mix of 720p and 1080i) you can probably get away with a 720p projector, but if you plan to watch Blu-ray or HD DVD disks you would benefit from a 1080p projector.

Will the image from a 720p projector be "a great picture"? Difficult to answer. I have a 720p projector and good HDTV programming looks pretty darn good. But I don't see much benefit from HD DVDs over normal (upconverted) DVDs, so I suspect I'm being limited by my projector and a 1080p model would be better still. But recognizing that I will only see significant improvement from a  percentage of program material (basically, above average HD disks), and most material (HDTV, DVDs) will not look any different I am not in a hurry to upgrade.

Whether the extra price for a 1080p model is acceptable to you is another question ... and one only you can answer, but with cost differentials for 1080p vs 720p dropping below $1000 (The Mitsubishi 4900 is currently available for $1900 US with rebate) I know if I were buying today I would opt for 1080p.

Answer 4

I'd say - go for the 1080 native unit.

For a fixed-size television, I would normally say 720 is fantastic and no need for the higher resolution.

But a projector ... you are going to blow that screen size up - even if it is just for fun.  You want the most amount of resolution to start with when you are doing this.

So for this reason, I'd suggest spending for the higher resolution unit only because it is a projector.

Answer 5

This is a debate that will go on for a while, some say the extra $$ is not worth to go with a 1080P, others say its worth every penny.

I will personally stay with the 720, That new Panasonic is just too good...

Head over to avsforums.com go to the projectors subforum and this topic is discuss almost every day.

Have fun..