[mythtv-users] OT: Why 1080p?

[Rich West]

1080p is not in the spec for broadcasts.  It was never considered, and
word is that you'll never see 1080p over regular broadcasts.  The
highest you will get via broadcast would be 1080i.

1080i is technically lesser quality than 720p.

HD-DVD supports up to 1080i, and Blueray supports up to 1080p.

If you use your Myth system for anything else (viewing Blueray DVDs,
playing games, etc), you will want the best resolution your set can
offer. :)

However, as you can guess.. a lot of the noise about 1080p is solely
about numbers ("If my TV can push 1080p, then I am going to display it
at that rate!" and "1080p is a lot more than 720p!") more so than about
what is actually being displayed.

-Rich

> I've seen a lot of posts by users wanting to set up 1080p -- which
> cards to use, whether to use dual DVI, etc.  All of which makes me
> wonder: to my knowledge, HDTV signals are only broadcast in 720p and
> 1080i.  If that's the case, will having your TV set to 1080p make any
> difference?  I would think that you wouldn't see any difference in
> picture quality, since (to my knowledge) the highest signal you can
> currently get -- HDTV -- is of lesser quality anyway.
>
> Playing the devil's advocate, I can think of the following reasons
> people may want 1080p at this time:  (Will those of you who are
> setting up 1080p fill me in as to which is correct, or if I'm missing
> something?)
>
> 1) 1080p does look better, even with a lower resolutions like 1080i or 720p?
> 2) I'm mistaken about what HDTV signals are broadcast, and 1080p is an
> option for some channels?
> 3) 1080p will eventually be a broadcast standard for HDTV?
> 4) People use their mythtv boxes for non-HDTV uses?
> 4.a)  Viewing the upcoming HD-DVD or Blueray DVDs?  (anyone know what
> resolution those will commonly be in?)
>
> Just curious why the 1080p hubub...
>
> Thanks,
> ~Dean