HD vs SD

[liam shart]

So I have an 360, but a standard definition set. I'm considering buying a 720p HDTV.

How much of a graphical difference can I expect?

[Marty]

I bought a plasma for my ps3 and its amazing. HD anything is pretty sick imo. Mine supports 1080p so I am not certain what the difference will be compared to 720p but I can't see it being that much worse.

[k0n_]

very big difference.

[usefulidiot316]

So I have an 360, but a standard definition set. I'm considering buying a 720p HDTV.

How much of a graphical difference can I expect?

The differences between HD and SD are mainly in resolution. SD is 640x480i, while 720 is 1280x720p or 307200 pixels for SD and 921600 pixels for HD, or about a 3x difference in resolution. 720p is also progressive at 60fps, while SD is interlaced at 60 fps, which means that every even numbered vertical pixel is shown at 30fps, while every odd numbered vertical pixel is displayed at 30fps at a different time from the even numbered pixels. HD TVs usually also support 24bit color, while SD, I think, is 16 bit, so 65,000 colors for SD and 16,000,000 for HD.

All the technical crap aside, the easiest way to tell the difference is to take an LCD monitor on a computer and look at HD screenshots of an Xbox360 game and compare it to what it looks like on your SD screen.

[SyDias]

So I have an 360, but a standard definition set. I'm considering buying a 720p HDTV.

How much of a graphical difference can I expect?

You need to goto best buy or circuit city and watch one of those HDTVs they have on display.

I have a 42 inch Sony Grand Wega (DLP) HDTV and it can go up to 1080p as well, the picture clarity is absolutely phenomenal.

[Leesin]

HD fuckin owns trust me.

[Total Madman]

I took my HD cable back for a refund after being utterly unimpressed with HD. I was expecting awesome visuals, instead all I was left with was the feeling of "meh, it's a little bit better, but not worth the cash I just spent on it". Actually, I'm yet to be impressed with anything I've seen in HD in electronics stores and over friends' houses. The extra money isn't worth it at all. Most fags will defend their big purchases though and argue that it's totally out of this world.

[CoyoteUgly71]

The bigger the TV the more of a difference you'll notice.

My HD TV is 27" and as far as television programing goes, I can't tell a real difference when I'm watching an HD show.

[Amadeus]

The only time i've ever REALLY noticed the difference was in cars; cars look completely different in HD, and you can actually see the shape of the body nd all the reflections, even in a video game. Playing a racing game in SD is really disappointing.

[snyderman]

The clarity and widescreen capabilities of HD is tailor made for next gen consoles. I couldnt imagine my PS3 without my baby Bravia.


One suggestion that will pay for itself guaranteed. Buy the TV from a Cosco or Sams Club. Sure the prices are usually a little better, but the gem is their return policy. Keep the manuals and receipt, and they will take that shit back, whenever. Full purchase price.

I just exchanged my 4 year old 25" Samsung that 'didnt work' for a brand new 46" 1080p Bravia straight up. They actually owed me a little less than $20 to take the new TV. If Im lyin, Im dyin. It works.

[174mph]

yea HD FUCKING OWNS!!!!!!!

[CSPope]

I think watching tv and playing games on my 52 inch HDTV is awesome. The colors are so much more vivid and the picture is waaay more crisp than SDTV.

I would definitely upgrade to one but only if:
1. You need one b/c your old tv isn't working
or
2. You save up the money for one (don't go way in debt or splurge all your money on one).

You can judge a TVs picture quality by looking at them in the stores but I would recommend doing a little research online too because sometimes they don't configure the store models. I noticed this a while ago but it seems like they do it properly now.

Some people will say there's no difference at all or it's not a big improvement but I think there is and that it's a huge improvement. Also make sure you sit at least 6' from a HDTV (especially a big one) because if you go real close, it doesn't look as nice.

Have you ever hooked up a computer to your SDTV and saw how blurry it looked like? Well if you use a DVI/HDMI/Component connection from your computer to your HDTV... it's like having a 52 inch monitor with perfect clarity.


By the way, I don't really have to defend my investment. My parents gave me their old HDTV when they decided to upgrade to a 50' 1080p Sony Bravia.

[The Messiah]

You get what you pay for.

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/9012/cimg1712nm6.jpg

Dvds look as good as Blu-ray on this thanks to the PS3 upscaler. 1080p is what you need.

[SatanTheSith]

HDTV is waaaaaaaaay better than SDTV. I normally play my 360 on an SD though, which sucks for dead rising/ lost odyssey. GTA4 Looks very nice on SDTV though, so I'm not too worried about getting one soon.

[Amadeus]

I think watching tv and playing games on my 52 inch HDTV is awesome. The colors are so much more vivid and the picture is waaay more crisp than SDTV.


When i'm watching TV, I can tell the difference right away simply because the colors look so much more vibrant and closer to real life.

[Xerosnake90]

My parents just got a 42inch HDTV. When I first hooked up my 360 without switching to the HD I was like 'Meh'. Than I switched to the HD and almost creamed my pants just looking at the menus. It really does make a big difference. And yes, the bigger the tv, the better. Just make sur it's a good big tv and not a crap one.

[The Messiah]

My parents just got a 42inch HDTV. When I first hooked up my 360 without switching to the HD I was like 'Meh'. Than I switched to the HD and almost creamed my pants just looking at the menus. It really does make a big difference. And yes, the bigger the tv, the better. Just make sur it's a good big tv and not a crap one.

You can actually reading the subtitles on Dead Rising. :lol:

[Pantless Ron]

When I first got my 360, I played it on a SDTV. It was fine for a bit. But once I switched to HD, I was blown away. It really does make a HUGE difference. It's honestly harder to play games on a SDTV after you've played on an HDTV for long periods of time.

[Xerosnake90]

You can actually reading the subtitles on Dead Rising. :lol:

I know right, lol. I still have that game too. Should fire it up so I can actually read what's going on.

[174mph]

You get what you pay for.

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/9012/cimg1712nm6.jpg

Dvds look as good as Blu-ray on this thanks to the PS3 upscaler. 1080p is what you need.

ooh is that so? yea, DVD looks amazing on my TV w/ the ps3.

but blu ray is still a lot more high def.