Upgrading 720p screen to 1080p?

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tig5

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#65596 4-Aug-2010 05:37

Hey guys,
I have a Toshiba Satelite A500-o2u
2.66Ghz, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, Windows 7 64bit, Nvidia GT230M, 16" Trubrite Screen (720p, 1366x7xx) and a BLU RAY player.

I noticed that the image quality of the Blu Rays I have played back isn't much better than DVD playback. The laptop has HDMI output but I don't have a HD TV and don't really want one at the moment. I'm looking at getting a HD camcorder and would like the best image quality possible for both this and Blu Ray playback.....

Can I buy a replacement 1080p screen, have it installed and get on with things?
If so can anyone recommend where to buy one and how much I'd be looking at paying?
Would I need hardware upgrades?
Any idea how much installation would cost?

I've done some searchwork online but haven't even been able to find any screens. I haven't tried trademe yet because I can't access it at work. Any help would be awesome :)

ascroft

307 posts

Ultimate Geek

#362732 4-Aug-2010 05:42

Sounds expensive. I would buy an external monitor if the comp can drive the resolution.

Mark Ascroft

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sbiddle

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#362734 4-Aug-2010 06:27

The issue isn't one of screen resolution - it's one of screen size. Your PC screen is simply too small to really make a noticeable difference.

Batman

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#362741 4-Aug-2010 07:16

may i suggest screen size is not the only thing - yes you WILL notice a difference with 1080p screen. i have both screens on 15" laptops and you can see pixellation on the 1366x screen and super crisp on the 1080p screen - when looking from about upto 2 feet away. but it's too hard to change the screen i'm afraid - will cost you a super bomb!

(also the quality of the bluray vs dvd encodings, and the program you use ...)

Involuntary autocorrect in operation on mobile device. Apologies in advance.

Handsomedan

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#362774 4-Aug-2010 09:06

Dare I say it...get a new laptop and sell the one you have.

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k1wi

484 posts

Ultimate Geek

#362864 4-Aug-2010 11:45

I recommend you get a external monitor (or HDTV) and connect it via HDMI or DVI.

You will get a better picture from a 1080p screen, but there won't be a huge difference as a decent computer should downscale the image well.

@ 16" the pixel size of 720p is pretty much on par with a 32" 1080p image, but, I imagine if you're watching Blurays on the laptop you'll likely be pretty close to the screen (and not many people I know sit within a couple of feet from their HDTV's ;) so you will be more likely to notice the change in resolution.

I wouldn't recommend trying to upgrade your screen, I once looked @ replacing a laptop screen that had died for one reason or another. The costs are rediculous and you can't just order a replacement screen off the net (unless you manage to find someone with the same make & model which has broken and is non-fixable for a non-screen reason).

tig5

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#363165 4-Aug-2010 18:12

Thanks for the insight guys! I've found some 23" 1080p external monitors with HDMI input for $380 so I think I'll look into something like that.