rdf8585

I'm in the market for a new TV and a lot has changed since the last time I bought one (six years).

Specifically, I'm looking at 32 inch HDTVs. On that size of screen, is there much difference between 720p and 1080p? I read somewhere that the difference between the two is marginal on sets smaller than 40-50', but some clarification would be nice.

I do have a Blu Ray player, if that does much for the 1080/720 argument.

I'm looking at a few sets in particular. The 1080p one will end up around $700, the 780p ones about $200 less.

720p Samsung: http://amzn.to/bWnbU9

1080p Sony: http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...77653#overview

720p Panasonic: http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-e...702#tabsection

Any recommendations / advice?

Dr Mabuse

1080p matters, particularly on Blu Ray stuff.

Get a Samsung if you can.

rdf8585

How does this Samsung look? It's 1080p like the Sony linked above and almost $100 cheaper, but the refresh rate is 60 as opposed to 120 and the contrast ratio isn't as strong. I'm sure there are other differences.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+...ract_desc=null

OldBoy

sorry for the slight hijack...

Does anyone have this Sony KDL-EX500?

I need to confirm the inputs on this model. I saw an actual model in Best Buy and looked in back and it had 2 HDMI (rear), 2 component (rear) and 1 composite (on side).

BB, Sony, and Amazon.com list this model with: Inputs: 4 HDMI, 2 component, 2 composite.

So I can't understand why I only saw what I saw, unless all the descriptions are not accurate which could be the case, but seems odd for even Sony.com to list.

Thanks for help.

rdf8585

I'm interested in that set too and probably what I'm leaning towards. Tigerdirect has a lot of pics of that model.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...665&CatId=3649

OldBoy

yup, that is what i saw and confirms my fear that there is only 1 composite unless i am missing something? i need at least 2.

thanks for the link with those detailed pics!

**edit** i think i'm ok. didn't realize VCR wasn't hooked via composite.

Spiky

Sure there is a difference: 360 lines. (well, 312)

And, if you sit 3 feet away from it or use it for a computer monitor, you will often notice the difference. At 6', probably you won't notice. Where will you sit?

rdf8585

Anywhere from roughly 2-10 feet.

Spiky

I thought it had said one of the component inputs was also composite, so it's either/or. But the pics don't seem to indicate a dual function.

OldBoy

yeah, it said one component is switchable i guess, where the green input can be used as yellow video. which is a little misleading to say 2 component and 2 composite. i would have needed 2 dedicated component though.

Sdallnct

In and of itself I would disagree with it.

If your really sitting 2 feet from it, or using as a computer monitor..fine get 1080p....but otherwise...

Your just not going to see the difference sitting at a reasonable/appropriate distance REGARDLESS of source.

Personally I wouldn't care about 1080p at anything about 46" or smaller.

However, even if you disagree with this...there are more important factors for overall picture quality. Black levels and detail, contrast and color are all more important than resolution. That is why many still love the 720p 50" plasmas. They have a better overall picture quality than most 1080p sets.

Still don't agree? Then skip any of those and just get the cheapest Spectre or off brand from Walmart or Costco that is 1080p.

SUPERMANROB

I completely agree with Sdallnct here. At 32" I would concentrate more on better black levels and details.

rdf8585

I went ahead and bought the Sony KDL32EX500. My early impressions are very favorable. The picture quality is amazing and blows what I had out of the water. The PQ on my 6-to-7 year old 26' Samsung 1080i CRT HDTV couldn't hold a candle to what this KDL32EX500 presents. The difference is large enough that what I had prior doesn't seem seem like HD now that I've seen this. Blu-Ray also look a world better. Having an HDMI port, which I didn't have earlier, probably helps there.

mdc3000

The EX500 is a great set from Sony - but I would have agreed with those who said 1080p in a 32" is not really something you're going to notice - that said, the contrast/hz/general PQ etc. on the 500 blow the BX300 and EX400 from Sony away, so you made a good choice.

FlickMan

1080p doesnt matter with a 32 inch.

I watch my blus on a 120 inch thru a 720p from about 12 feet away and even then once when I watched a 1080p the difference was there but minor.