720p / 1080i / 1080p / 221B?

[aclivity]

I've been considering this but I understand it's only capable / specified up to 720p.

I don't know if that makes a difference? The main source will be one of the new TiVo boxes, which I assume is capable of driving 1080p or i pictures; at 37" screen size does the difference between 720 and 1080 mean much? Would I be better getting a 32" capable of 1080i or p, perhaps?

[PJ S]

1080i is a broadcast only signal, and when deinterlaced optimally, will give 820 lines of vertical resolution.
On a 720/768 pixel HD Ready TV, you're not gaining much as some info is lost in order to fit the pixels available.
Bottom line, if you don't sit close enough 1080p offers nothing over 720p output on the BR movie front, and broadcast HD will be upscaled to fit the extra pixel count.
So decide which media is the main criteria, and via here or Google, see if your viewing distance is optimal for appreciating the difference a 1080p output from the BR player provides on a Full HD TV.

[phil-sti]

but 1080p sets are so cheap now you might aswell get one. panny are doing the S20 1080p PDP screen for £550

[PJ S]

Yes, but because you can doesn't necessarily mean you should.
Extra benefits over and above pixel count may be desirable to have, but as long as what I've said above in borne in mind, then an informed choice/purchase can be made.

[RedLeicester]

PJ S said:

1080i is a broadcast only signal

Apart from the boxes that'll only go up to 1080i that is.

[PJ S]

RedLeicester said:

PJ S said:

1080i is a broadcast only signal

Apart from the boxes that'll only go up to 1080i that is.

What boxes are we talking about?
Sky? Virgin? FreeSat/Freeview?
You do realise they are all decoders for broadcast signals?

If you mean older TVs, then nothing changes as they are all 768 HD Ready sets except the Hitachi ALiS panel ones, which were 1024 and interlaced rather than progressive.

[RedLeicester]

Older generation streamer boxes, GPUs, even some cheapie DVD players.

[PJ S]

Ok, but still doesn't get away from the fact 1080i was a broadcast only signal, which has been hijacked by manufacturers using it as part of their marketing strategy.
Until DCCs, nothing outside of the broadcasting industry generated the signal, but didn't stop replay devices from using the feature in-built on the chipset.

Bottomline, it's a signal that provides no useable intrinsic benefit on playback, so makes the setting redundant on them, and DCCs that can't offer 1080p.
To that end, sticking with 720p is the best HD option.