Which type TV is a better buy >> LCD or Plasma ? Also, at what level pixels are TV programs broadcast ?

Question

Is it true that TV does not broadcast at 1080p, therefore watching TV programs on a 1080p LCD or Plasma TV doesn't really give you a better picture than those sets having 720p?

Answer 1

In general - Plasma is more expensive because the materials have to be purer, the unit is heavier and dont forget the $200+ for someone to install it on a wall.

DLP and LCD tend to be a few hundred dollars cheaper for the same size, but the box's are thicker.

You should buy a 1080p TV to avoid the unit being obsolete.

1080 has ALWAYS been part of the HDTV specification. But 720 was a bit simpler to do well (and cheaper) so all most all HD broadcasts have standardized on 720.

As the technology became faster and cheaper, 1080 TV's and sources have started to appear. Right now the HD-DVD and BluRay players push out 1080i and some do 1080p.

It's not bleeding edge and not that much more expensive to get a TV that has 1080 this year. So while you dont need it now, the higher resolution sources are available and will become more and more common in the next few months.

Answer 2

Common sense answers

LCD or Plasma - look at both in the store and pick the one that looks the best to you for your dollars you can spend. Price not a problem? Buy Plasma. Want to save energy? Buy LCD.

All broadcast TV is either 480i (good old 4 by 3 format), 720p (ABC and FOX), or 1080i (PBS, CBS, NBC). Only DVD and game sources can be 1080p. 1080p just means you are future protected until something better than 1080p comes along. And 1080p means you get the best picture from the best sources.