Another TV question this time 1080p

[Platypus]

Rather than hijack the other TV thread...

My folks are looking at a new TV and think they *ought* to get 1080p

They do not nor will ever have a PS3 or BluRay

But they would like to one day get the FreeView or FreeSat HD channels

So, do they *need* 1080p to get the best out of this? Are those channels transmitted at 1080p? Or at 720 (or 768?) pixels deep?

Appreciate a definitive answer, as not getting 1080p if they don't need it will save a few quid.

Thanks!

[voodooflux]

FreeSat will transmit in the resolution of the source program, either 720p or 1080i.

Unless you're sat very close to the T.V. you probably won't get the benefit of the full 1080 lines of resolution.

[Platypus]

FreeSat will transmit in the resolution of the source program, either 720p or 1080i.

Unless you're sat very close to the T.V. you probably won't get the benefit of the full 1080 lines of resolution.

From the reading I've done, most HD TV is 720p, and this can look worse on a 1080p TV than a 720p TV (due to upscaling issues) ... ?

[voodooflux]

From the reading I've done, most HD TV is 720p, and this can look worse on a 1080p TV than a 720p TV (due to upscaling issues) ... ?

I think most material is 1080i these days (but I could be wrong). You're right about the scaling though - it's better to scale 1080 down to 768 than to scale 720 up to 1080 (unless you have a *very* good video processor like a Lumagen or Crystalio).

[ratewhore]

Rather than hijack the other TV thread...

My folks are looking at a new TV and think they *ought* to get 1080p

They do not nor will ever have a PS3 or BluRay

But they would like to one day get the FreeView or FreeSat HD channels

So, do they *need* 1080p to get the best out of this? Are those channels transmitted at 1080p? Or at 720 (or 768?) pixels deep?

Appreciate a definitive answer, as not getting 1080p if they don't need it will save a few quid.

Thanks!

What size telly? I have a 37" 1080p tv but it seems I don't need the 'p' for this size panel.

[Platypus]

What size telly? I have a 37" 1080p tv but it seems I don't need the 'p' for this size panel.

They are looking at 37"

I guess the real question here is what 1080p sources are there?

(1) Blu Ray - they won't ever get one
(2) PS3 / XBox - ditto
(3) Sky HD - from what I hear it's 720p, not 1080, so a 720p telly would be better because there'll be no upscaling
(4) FreeView - I have no idea!

[voodooflux]

I guess the real question here is what 1080p sources are there?

(1) Blu Ray - they won't ever get one
(2) PS3 / XBox - ditto
(3) Sky HD - from what I hear it's 720p, not 1080, so a 720p telly would be better because there'll be no upscaling
(4) FreeView - I have no idea!

Sky HD will be 720p and 1080i - it depends on the program/broadcaster.

[ratewhore]

Sky HD will be 720p and 1080i - it depends on the program/broadcaster.

You can set the output on the sky HD box to either 720p, 1080i or auto...

[Platypus]

You can set the output on the sky HD box to either 720p, 1080i or auto...

But if the source material is 720 (which Sky HD is) then the 1080 setting just upscales it, damaging the quality (?)

[voodooflux]

You can set the output on the sky HD box to either 720p, 1080i or auto...

True, but I believe it's better to get the T.V. to do the conversion rather than the box, so "auto" is the best option.