720P or 1080i what do I set my A2's output to?

[John32]

Iv'e been on here for a while but, I've never had a satisfactory answer to this question: I have a 32" Panasonic LCD. I have my HD-A2 set for 1080i out, but read somewhere that HD TV's 46" and lower should set their output to 720p (my TV was puchased in 2005).

I just set the output to 720p and I think that it loosks better! I'm currently watching 'Black Christmas' because I heard that movies with lots of blacks and grays you'll see most improved PQ on.

Anyway, it does look good but, I just want to make sure I'm doing it right. BTW, HDMI connection. Thanks!!!!

[jihzaman]

You should set the output to 720p(your televisions native resolution).

[John32]

You should set the output to 720p(your televisions native resolution).

Thanks man! Yea, I can see quite a difference (looked great before but, looks better now) I can tell that there's not kind of a "motion" effect anymore and the colors seem better, more distinct.

[ajb]

what if the native is 768? Will it be better in 720p or 1080i?

[jihzaman]

For all intents and purposes 720 = 768, so set it to 720p

[joey0480]

since we are on this topic, what about running a A2 to a 1080P tv that upscales. I have it set at 1080i and hope the tv deinterlaces correctly...right?

[jihzaman]

since we are on this topic, what about running a A2 to a 1080P tv that upscales. I have it set at 1080i and hope the tv deinterlaces correctly...right?

You got it. And your TV does a fine enough job that you could never tell the difference.

[Devil N]

The choice between 720p and 1080i isn't that simple IMHO. Before I got an HDTV, I too was convinced that 720p was best because of the simple fact that it's progressive. However, some poor quality cables forced me to use 1080i instead for a while, so I got accustomed to that resolution before being able to properly choose between the two.

Now of course, in theory a progressive image is preferable to an interlaced image. 720p on my 1366x768 HDTV does produce slightly smoother movement and a smidgen less ghosting. On the other hand, when I switch my Xbox 360's resolution from 1080i to 720p, I do notice that the image becomes ever so slightly less sharp. This is to be expected, since 720p requires the TV to upscale, while 1080i requires it to downscale. But my eyes have become so used to the sharpness of 1080i that the decreased sharpness of 720p becomes really noticeable.

Another thing, when playing a 1080p HD DVD in 720p, your player needs to downscale the image to the desired resolution. With 1080i, it only needs to interlace the image, with no scaling required. The quality of that 720p downscale is of course dependent on the quality of your player's scaler. I assume that Toshiba's players have a decent scaler, and I know for a fact that the Xbox 360 does, so this is probably a non-issue for now. However, with cheaper players coming up a few months from now, this downscale thing might become an issue for some.

In the end, the choice between 720p and 1080i is a matter of preference. 720p is slightly smoother and more stable, while 1080i is slightly sharper. But depending on the quality of your TV's deinterlacer and scaler, the difference might not be that pronounced.

Moral of the story: get 1080p if you can

[jihzaman]

There will also be a question mark about whether the display or the component will do a better job scaling/de-interlacing.

For the most part it's recommended you match your source output to your native resolution, however, in some cases the scaler inside of your source(Cable Box, DVD player, etc...) can be worse than the one inside of your television.

This is one of the reasons many people find outputting 1080i to look better on their 1280x720 and especially 1366/1024x768 sets.

In all honesty your best bet is to test it yourself. If the picture looks better when using a resolution that is not your televisions native one, do a little research and see what other people with your TV have found.

[ChrisInCali]

My vote goes to 1080i.

[StoogeFan1118]

I would say 1080i as well My TV supports both 1080i and 720p and to me 1080i looks much better

[ed081873]

My answer is without a doubt, 1080i. I play Xbox 360 in 720p., but movies, in my opinion, look much sharper and full of more detail in 1080i. I have the 360 Add on and Toshiba A2.

[jihzaman]

I guess everyone owns 360 add-ons or a2's...or has CRT's...or pioneer elites.

edit - I dunno if anyone noticed I typed "sony blu-ray" up there...I just bought one I guess its in my subconscious