Contrast ratio? LCD VS PLASMA? 720p VS 1080p?
I’m looking to buy an HDTV this christmas for my room. I’m thinking 42 inches. The problem I’m having is the whole 720p VS 1080 p and LCD VS plasma debate.
I know for 2500 bucks you can get a really good 1080p TV with a high constrast ratio. But I would really prefer not to spend more than 1300 or so…because it’s just a TV for my bedroom. (15 by 15 feet…it’s not really a bright room)
I’ve been looking at a Samsung 720p plasma HDTV with a 10:000:1 contrast ratio. Its about 1400 dollars.
There are also 1080p LCD TVs for the same price, but the contrast ratio is very low in comparison. (1300:1)
So what does this all mean? What factors are most important? Which TV is the best? a 720p plasma with a high contrast ratio or a 1080p LCD with a lower contrast ratio?
Here’s a great article on 720p vs 1080p. Good luch on your HDTV search.
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6449_7-6810011-1.html?tag=nl.e497
There is a great article on CNET reviews that clears up all of the questions that you are asking
It might help to consider that there are four factors that determine how we perceive picture quality. In decreasing order of priority they are:
1) Contrast ratio (responsible for the "pop")
2) Colour saturation
3) Colour accuracy
4) resolution
Therefore 720p vs 1080p is relatively unimportant (particularly if you watch from more than 8-10 feet and/or on a screen under about 50").
On the other hand, contrast ratio determines whether a picture looks flat or "pops" with an almost three dimensional effect.
That all said, don’t go just on the basis of specs. Contrast ratio (CR) is a spec that is frequently subject to "creative advertizing". This is because there is no standard way to define CR, and since manufacturuers know that CR values sell, there is high incentive to define CR using means that maximize the rating. So … don’t ignore the specs, but trust your eyes. However, don’t fixate on CR either. Most movie theatres have a CR of less than 2000:1. Take into account that CR values only apply in a dark (or at least quite dim) room. A measured 20,000:1 CR will be degraded to an actual value of less than 2000:1 by having a single light on in a room!
Happy shopping.
This is also another thing to consider.
Will your area TV cable provider even be broadcasting 1080p in the near future?
As of right now the only way to watch something in 1080p is through a blue ray DVD player or through a Xbox 360/PS3.
I have a 46 inch Sharp Aquos 720p broad casted in 1080i(same as 1080p yet very different). the contrast is 6000:1 so IDK where you got 1300:1? Forget plasma it has a short life (3-6) years. Just Get a 720p, if you don’t have the cash to buy a blue ray DVD player and a 1080p LCD TV. Save the cash. If your really want the 1080p call your cable provider to see if they will even be broadcasting it, because 1080p is huge compared to 720p. I believe 720p is 2.99megahertz and 1080p is 6.99 megahertz. Good luck