Originally Posted by ncx

That's right MD, the display we are talking about supports 1080i as far as incoming signals are concerned, but cannot display 1080i in native format or anywhere close (and other 42" plasmas cannot either, this is normal). More importantly, it can't support 720p in native format which is due to the 42" size more than anything. The pixels can only be so small to fit in all the lines of rez in a 42" display. This is changing with the new more densely-packed pixel displays in the new generation of 1080p displays. This 1024x768 display can't play content that is broadcast at 1280x720 (720p) without manipulation of the original signal, it simply won't fit the screen. When you get up to 50" plasmas, you get 1280x720 (exactly 720p) or 1366x768 which can both play the all-important 720p content with zero scaling or conversion... pure HD.


For this reason (physical size vs pixels) many people who watch a lot of DVD's and standard definition content (cable or satellite) buy ED 42" plasmas instead of HD 42" plasmas. Non-HD content (480i/480p) tends to look better on lower-rez ED displays due to no scaling, vs. watching that same content on an upscaled HD display. A very good DVD player will likely scale the image for the screen better than this display will.

All that to say, to watch 1080i or 720p HD content on a 42" display, you really want either a killer scaler in your cable box or sat box, and/or a great scaler in the plasma itself so that HD content is treated properly, and not processed into eye-crossing junk on the screen.

ps.... CBS will show its debut of the new HD-NFL broadcast in 1080i tonight. Make sure to check it out... it should make Fox and NBC's HD feed look like poop by comparison.