HDTV 1080P Vs. 720P

One important technical aspect to consider when purchasing a HDTV television is image resolution quality. The most common resolutions available are 1080p and 720p. Although the similarities and differences are subtle between the two resolutions, it is helpful to know them so you can make an informed decision.

Identification

All HDTVs are "fixed-panel" displays, meaning each set has a finite amount of pixels it uses to display an image.

Vertical Resolution

In its product specs, a HDTV will list the vertical resolution specs. The vertical specs are fixed, and can be 720p, 1080i or 1080p depending on the set.

Pixel Size

720p pixels are larger in size than 1080p pixels. For an HDTV, this means 720p pixels take up more space on the screen than do 1080p pixels.

Image Quality

HDTVs with 1080p pixels have more pixels covering their screen than a HDTV with 720p pixels, due to the smaller size of the pixels. Therefore the image resolution will be higher for a 1080p HDTV than for a 720p HDTV.

Considerations

HDTV image quality will also depend on the overall size of the set itself and the resolution quality of your video source.

References

• HDTV Magazine
• Understanding HDTV Image Quality