720p v 1080i

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richarda

164 posts

Master Geek

#142462 13-Mar-2014 20:05

Hi
I have a handshaking issue between my TV, Soundbase and HDMI matrix with my SkyHDI box which appears to go away if select I select 720P in the HD settings rather than 1080i or Auto. Is there that much of a noticeable difference on a 50" Plasma screen to worry about. I could resolve the handshaking issue plugging the matrix directly to the TV and using the HDMI ARC connection between the TV and Soundbase. The only downfall of this is that my Panasonic Plasma will not pass Dolby Digital through to the Soundbase.
Cheers

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek

#1005174 13-Mar-2014 20:21

Have you tried different HDMI cables? Some HDMI cables can be poor performers even though meant to be high spec.
Can't say if it would be noticeable on a 50 Plasma as I only run a 32 LCD although I can generally notice a slight difference on mine between 720 and 1080. Most people would say you can't but full HD programmes look much better than SD at any time.

Batman

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#1005177 13-Mar-2014 20:27

yes and no. if you look really carefully you can. if you don't, you don't. as a geek I must have 1080 where possible :D

scuwp

3885 posts

Uber Geek

#1005198 13-Mar-2014 20:44

Try another cable. 720 on a 50"? Yuk!!!!

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

Noodles

487 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1005214 13-Mar-2014 21:09

I watched a good explanation that I'll try to dig up about 720p vs 1080i. The conclusion is 720p is better quality and I have been watching sky/everything else in 720p ever since (my tv only does 1080i)

Edit: found it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Avvh0iH2xSg

Batman

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#1005230 13-Mar-2014 21:51

depends on your content. if your content is 1080i then 1080i would look better if you really looked.

if your content is 720p then 720p would look better if you really looked.

the issue is if your content is SD which is usually 576p at 50 fps. going to 1080i or 720p - you cannot generate extra pixels that didn't exist unlike CSI. so 720p will probably look better if you really looked.

what if you have 1080p ... well ... you want pixels or frame rate or do you really care? if you did you'd buy a 1080p tv. if you have a 1080i tv you probably don't really worry too much.

Batman

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#1005231 13-Mar-2014 21:53

I forgot to mention that a lot of HD ready tv (1280x720) offers 1080i ... if you have that tv it's a no brainer set it to 720p and don't get fooled.

rlevis

347 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1005986 15-Mar-2014 02:55

1080i definately looks better than 720p on a big TV. I have a LG 55" LCD and it's noticeable, particularly for mostly still video with a little movement. Generally on a par during fast motion like sport.

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Shindig

1587 posts

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#1022189 9-Apr-2014 14:26

I watched the sky installer (contractor) change the TV output to 1080i, when they left I changed it to 720p.

My TV doesnt support 1080p and I have always been of the assumption that 720p is better.

The little things make the biggest difference.

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek

#1022199 9-Apr-2014 14:49

Shindig:

My TV doesnt support 1080p and I have always been of the assumption that 720p is better.

Not sure what SkyHD is transmitted as but if the transmitted signal is 1080i why would you want to display it at 720p?
If its just standard Sky then yes I agree.

kiwijunglist

2981 posts

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#1022205 9-Apr-2014 14:52

1080i is techincally better

1920 x 1080 = 2073600
1280 x 720 x 2 = 1843200

however it really depends on two more important factors

1. The source format
and
2. If the display can display 1080i properly without artifacts, only really expensive TVs will do nice 1080i

If I fed 1080i to my tv directly then 720p would look better, if I played 1080i on my HTPC which does vector adaptive deinterlacing then 1080i would look better. LCD and plasma are progressive display so that have to convert i to p.

Besed on your handshaking issues, I would probably stick to 720p for convenience.

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

karni

50 posts

Geek

#1022232 9-Apr-2014 15:43

B1GGLZ:
Not sure what SkyHD is transmitted as but if the transmitted signal is 1080i why would you want to display it at 720p?
If its just standard Sky then yes I agree.

I'm not going to get into the 1080i v 720p debate because that's a matter of preference that most people won't even notice.

What I will say is Sky transmit all HD channels in 1080i except for ESPN HD which is 720p.