1080p vs 1080i, how important is it?

Question

My boyfriend are in a geeked-out argument over my buying a flat screen. He feels that it is very important for me to get the 1080p, but from my point of view the only thing I'm going to do with the set is watch broadcast television and dvd's. I'm not a gamer.

So I leave it up to you, how important is it to get a true HD set at 1080p, if I'm not going to be using it for more than just a tv.

Thanks!!

Answer 1

Why 1080p is theoretically better than 1080i:
-- In a tube-based television, otherwise known as a CRT, 1080i sources get "painted" on the screen sequentially: The odd-numbered lines of resolution appear on your screen first, followed by the even-numbered lines--all within 1/30 of a second.
-- Progressive-scan formats such as 480p, 720p, and 1080p convey all of the lines of resolution sequentially in a single pass, which makes for a smoother, cleaner image, especially with sports and other motion-intensive content.

As opposed to tubes, microdisplays (DLP, LCoS, and LCD rear-projection) and other fixed-pixel TVs, including plasma and LCD flat-panel, are inherently progressive in nature, so when the incoming source is interlaced, as 1080i is, they convert it to progressive scan for display. Because of this, you'll be hard-pressed to see a difference between 1080i and 1080p on a flat-panel display.

What content is available in 1080p?
-- Today's high-def broadcasts are done in either 1080i or 720p, and there's little or no chance they'll jump to 1080p any time soon because of bandwidth issues.
-- HD-DVD and Blu-ray discs are currently the only sources of 1080p content.

For other opinions and more information, check out these links:
http://www.hometheatermag.com/gearworks/1106gear/
http://www.carltonbale.com/blog/2006/11/1080p-does-matter/

As far as my personal and professional opinion goes, it's not worth the extra $1,000 or so that you'll have to pay for 1080p. The difference between the two is so difficult to tell, especially when comparing the two on the same sized TV--Experts say that one can only tell the difference between the two when watching interlaced on a larger screen [CNET].

The only major noted advantage for real world viewing is that you are able to sit closer to the screen and not see any of the pixel structure on a 1080p display. And this is really only a concern if you're wanting to go 60 inches or larger.

Therefore, I suggest you save your money. Get 1080i.

However, if you do go for the 1080p, make sure your set accepts 1080p sources. As odd as it may sound, some 1080p sets do not. They upconvert 720p and 1080i sources to 1080p.

Answer 2

From what I hear the 1080P is better than the 1080i but you will not notice any of these difference until tv is brodcasted in 1080 which could be a year from now. That is why you see most TV's at 720p right now because they are now difference than 1080 at this time. By getting a 1080 tv, you are basically buying a tv for the future but for someone like you, I would just go with a 720p and save about a $500-$1000. I own the 1080p but I also love watching sports in HD, playing games, watching movies. You can definitely get away with a great flat screen 720p tv.

Answer 3

The higher the pixel rate the cleaner the picture no matter what you watch!