HDTV Resolution Guide

When you buy a new HDTV either LCD, DLP, or Plasma TV, you should consider several different thinks such as budget, resolution, etc. On this section, I will explain why resolution of the digital TV is very important to think. Before I go far beyond your knowledge, let me introduce the known resolutions that have been on the market so far. The Standard Definition or SD TV is 480i and p and the High Definition or HD TV are 720p, 1080i and p.

Since no body will buy the SDTV any more I will not write about it. Then let's do the HDTV which now most people will buy and enjoy it as their center of entertainment in their home.

When you go to the store and look the TV set, you should not just see the picture. You also need to check the resolution of the set. The store usually wrote it on the brochure or note beside the TV. If you did not find it then you need to check the user manual book that come with the set or ask the sales person and hope he knows the correct answer.

The resolution it self means the amount of pixels exist on the screen. These are the pixels that mostly you find it on the LCD TV resolution:

1. 1280x768 = 720p
2. 1360x768 = 720p
3. 1440x900 = 720p
4. 1920x1080 = 1080p
5. 1920x1200 = 1080p

These are the Plasma TV resolution:

1. 1366X768 = 720p
2. 1920x1080 = 1080p

The best resolution to buy a new TV is 1080p, but usually the price of the TV is more expensive compare to just 720p or 1080i compatible. Then now the question is which one I need to get if I want to buy TV. If you wanted the best picture quality then you choose the 1080p But if you think I just want to see HDTV channels and you are on the tight budget then your choice is the 720p resolution. Also you need to remember most of the 720p resolution will compatible with 1080i resolution. Another thing that you need to know that no Cable or Satellite TV has broadcast 1080p signal yet. The only 1080p video signal comes from either Blu-Ray DVD, Xbox360, or Playstation 3.

In conclusion, I mostly suggest to the customer if they wanted to buy a new TV set, to make sure the budget first. If they could go more on budget, then they will have a good quality TV with a nice picture. If they did not have it, of course they still could enjoy their a new TV because many people cannot see the different between 720p and 1080 p resolutions when they just watch the news and regular HD channel. Even some channels on HD Cable or Satellite are broadcast in just 720p resolution such as ESPN1, ESPN2, etc. So don't be discourage id you cannot buy the 1080p TV, Just enjoy your 720p because the picture is also great as long as you can calibrated correctly.