We were thinking of clubbing together and getting my younger son a plasma TV for Christmas. However, my older son said that the newest technology is 1080p (no idea what p stands for) as opposed to 720. However, he does have an LG plasma, 720p, which they bought several years ago and to me, it has a really nice picture. Anyway, we can buy the identical LG 42" plasma for $760. However, if you want to go up to a 1080p - the price goes up by about $500 and we wouldn't be able to afford that much.

I am not in favour of giving cash or a gift certificate - its not like a real gift. My granddaughter says he watches football and fighting and he is not into technology like my older son who always has to have the latest version of everything.

At the present my younger son has a Sony 35" CRT tv which has a perfectly good picture - but the TV is huge and I know he would like a new one. He doesn't want an LCD.

I did find this on the Internet, which suggests the 1080 is not worth the extra money. However, there are probably other sites - there always are - that say the opposite.

http://www.plasmatvbuyingguide.com/3-plasmahdtv.html

I am wondering what you think - if you want to watch sports on TV and are not into technology, would you rather have a 720p plasma TV or not get a TV as all?

In your circumstance I would go for a 720p for a bedroom and keep the 1080p for family room. The p stands for progressive which means all 1080 or 720 lines are shown at the same time instead of i = interlaced where every other line is shown followed by the alternative lines. Progressive are supposed to give better picture but both cable and sat providers only transmit in interlaced (1080i ) format as p takes up so much bandwidth broadcasting it.

Anyway for a bedroom 720p should be fine - save your money Purley.

If your younger son does not want an LCD TV he may not want a plasma either.

If he is not into watching High Definition television then purchasing either is a waste of time and money. The picture for regular TV does not look as good on either a plasma or and LCD set as it would on a regular CRT.

Regular channels look slightly fuzzy on LCD and plasma sets, some stations worse than others.

We have a perfectly good 13 year old Sony XBR 28" CRT that has an amazing picture on regular TV and we don't see any advantage to going to an HD capable set until either the current TV dies or local television stations start broadcasting in HD, whichever comes first.

Standard Definition TV often looks poor on any large screen, it's not a function of it being an LCD or Plasma. It's the 'large screen' bit which is the key issue. I have a 51" CRT RP TV in the basement and SD TV, particularly the analogue channels on cable looks better on the 28" CRT upstairs.

I have to admit that I would've agreed with Steve until very recently. We've been viewing a Sony 28" CRT for many years. I had noticed that the picture quality was not particularly good any more (as you know I've been out of the country for several months, so when I got back I noticed what I probably wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't been away... I think you'll know what I mean).

Long story short, last weekend I bought a Samsung 42" plasma (720p) for ~$800 from Sears, and the quality is much better than the Sony. We're happy. Now if only there was something worth watching...

Point taken but my point about LCD or plasma is still valid.

Doesn't the fact that the regular analogue channels are only broadcast at 480p and you're trying to show it on a 720p or higher resolution LCD or plasma monitor only make the problem worse?

I do agree with whoever it was talked about the CRT TVs. His Sony 35" has a really good picture. Maybe we will just give him money and he can spend it on groceries if he wants to!!!

As I said, that's not been my experience. But also as said the CRT may have deteriorated over the years. Viewing the 42" 16:9 screen in 4:3 mode gives a 35" CRT equivalent. Our viewing distance is about 14' (dbd33 would love this thread), so maybe it's just the larger image which is helping.

It all depends on the upscaling engine in the TV. Some do it better than others.

As for the OP, if your son wants to play a PS3 or watch blueray then you might as well get a 1080p capable set. If he doesn't then don't bother.

You experience is interesting as it is not mine.

Both my sons have new HD TV's, one a 42" Sharp Aquos 1080p the other a 40" Samsung plasma 720p

Both look great when watching DVD's, HD television and especially Blue Ray movies however I find that trying to watch local channels like the news and such very disappointing and still consider my 13 year old XBR a better set for that.

I will admit the Samsung is slightly better than the Sharp but I still prefer our CRT.

Ah well. It's all very subjective. As I said, we're happy.

And that is the most important thing.

Edit: Did you go with a HD cable box?

No. But I might buy the <ahem> OH a blueray DVD player for Christmas.

Some helpful information (I hope) for you.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=93974

Don't bother with the Denon or Marantz just a tad over priced I think.

Thanks Steve. No need for a high end unit methinks. The Samsung I bought is only 720p after all.