720p tv?

[iThinkYouBrokeIt]

I've been thinking about buying a relatively cheap 720p tv.
i noticed something strange about 720p tv specs...

why are they almost always some weird resolution like 1366x768 or 1440x900.... ? Shouldn't they be 1280x720?

I don't understand... what's the point of having the image slightly upscaled? Is 1366x768 really any better than 1280x720? Why is that what the usual resolution is?

[louthewiz]

Some folks like using their displays as computer monitors as well and that's why it's capable of those resolutions and they are also capable of displaying 1080i content , So they will disply hd content just fine.

[edDV]

1366x768, 1280x768 and 1024x768 are Vesa standard numbers that result from binary address conventions used for LCD and Plasma displays. These resolutions only partially match TV transmission resolutions. Even if the display was 1280x720 native, the pixels wouldn't exactly match due to the display practice of overscan.

So bottom line, video images are nearly always scaled even for 1920x1080 displays. Further if you go up the production history most all images have been at least horizontally scaled several times. 1080i is usually stored as 1440x1080i (e.g. HDV, XDCAM, HDCAM). 1280x720p 59.94 fps is often stored as 960x720 (e.g. DVCPro-HD). Most film based 23.976 fps source is stored as telecined 1080i and converted (IVTC + scaled + frame repeated) to 1280x720p 59.94 fps in the HDCAM video player or video server.

Just the way it is.

[iThinkYouBrokeIt]

well, i was looking specifically at this one, since it's got a decent balance of price, resolution, size, and features.

my budget won't allow me to spend a few thousand (although that would be awesome), and i would actually like a relatively small screen for my first HDTV anyway

Since i'm not too familiar with HDTVs, i'm not sure if the specs are great or anything. It seems to have nothing but good/great reviews, so that's a good sign.

Anyone in here familiar with HDTVs willing to share an opinion on this particular model?

[edDV]

It seems to be based on a computer monitor type 19" 1440x900 LCD panel. You don't see that resolution often for an LCD-TV. 700:1 contrast is the weak point. The picture may appear a bit washed out in dark room lighting. 5ms response is good. Other specs are OK. It should also make a good computer monitor using the VGA input. $399 is a great price.

Best you read reviews and demo the TV in room light similar to your room.

[Epicurus8a]

I've been thinking about buying a relatively cheap 720p tv.

I bought one of those and it lasted 1 1/2 years. No one in town can fix it because they don't have schematics. The manufacturer will fix it for $350 (USD), but the shipping and insurance is at least $150 (USD). So now I have a big piece of junk in my garage. My advice would be to buy a name brand TV that can be fixed locally.

[edDV]

Magnavox is the value brand for Philips (except in Australia).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnavox

[zoobie]

I think the industry has noticed nobody's buying the big screen tv's and have now decided to start small. Unfortunately, it's the bigger resolutions where HD is the most noticable. This TV may be a little sharper than the tube but @ $400, it better be. People are actually going to smaller HDTV's from their standard 24"? Amazing stuff but I'd start with a 42" in about 5 years.

If we believed every ad on tv, we'd think people are actually standing in line to buy the latest car or pouring coffee on the floor because the TV picture was "stunning".

You'd better go check this thing out in person first...It may not seem as fantastic as when they advertise them on TV. This is why the fine print at the bottom always says "simulated picture".

[greatlakes]

I think the industry has noticed nobody's buying the big screen tv's and have now decided to start small. Unfortunately, it's the bigger resolutions where HD is the most noticable. This TV may be a little sharper than the tube but @ $400, it better be. People are actually going to smaller HDTV's from their standard 24"? Amazing stuff but I'd start with a 42" in about 5 years.

If we believed every ad on tv, we'd think people are actually standing in line to buy the latest car or pouring coffee on the floor because the TV picture was "stunning".

You'd better go check this thing out in person first...It may not seem as fantastic as when they advertise them on TV. This is why the fine print at the bottom always says "simulated picture".

Hi all this is my first post.

Did some research on 720p tv , here is the more information
http://www.retrevo.com/s/720p+tv