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720p vs 1080p

The highest HDTV resolution available in the market is 1,920×1,080 pixels, which is the resolution of the 1,080p HDTV. HDTVs with the resolution of 1,366×768; 1,280×720 or 1,024×768 fall under the 720p category. While a 720p frame has roughly about 1 million pixels, a 1080p frame has 2 million pixels. However in practice the difference between 1080p vs 720p is not as obvious as the one between standard definition vs high definition (480p vs 720p), though the increase of resolution to 1,080 lines (1080p) makes the picture noticeably sharper and more detailed.

Screen size, resolution and viewing distance are the base for obtaining the best picture quality and amount of detail from your HDTV. If you get the relation between the three right, you will get the best picture quality whether you choose 720p or you decide to go for the extra detail offered by 1080p. Unless you have the correct numbers for these three, you can end up seeing the same detail from 1080p as you would from 720p.

The viewing distance is actually a constant because you will always sit at the same distance (unless, of course, you move your chair or coach closer). However, the screen size and resolution depends on your budget. The larger the screen and resolution, the higher the price. In order to get the extra detail from 1080p, the screen size must be big enough and the distance short enough for your eyes to actually see the extra detail. Basically, unless you have a very short distance between you and the TV, you will need a larger screen with 1080p than with 720p, which means that in order to actually benefit from 1080p you pay not just for the extra resolution but also for the extra screen size.

The only pure 1080p content comes from high definition DVDs like Blue Ray and HD DVD, while regular DVDs are way below that, having just 480p or 576p. One can also get HD content from TV broadcasts but only 720p. 720p content will of course look the same (or very similar) on a 1080p screen as it does on a 720p screen because it is not just screen resolution that matters but also content resolution. Enhanced definition (EDTV) like DVDs and standard definition content (regular TV channels) will also look the same on 720p and 1080p.

Hence, if for your viewing distance you do get the right size of TV and you watch true 1080p content, 1080p is unmatched and will look amazing. It will look much better than 720p seen from 720p’s optimal distance and you will see detail like never before on a TV. Add to that the great quality of the colors and contrast offered by the top plasma TVs and you can have the best visual experience you can get.