what do i really need 1080p for?

720p TVs are on their way out of production. All newer models produced will be 1080p. Cable is still trying to gear up for 720p at the moment. As with all technology that moves faster than the general public, 1080i or 1080p will become a standard..it is only a matter of time.

With a 42 inch or lower 720p looks great! As you get into the 50's and above a 1080p will have the sharper picture.

I have a home theater business and have been on the working end of audio video for 8 years. No matter what-go LCD--allready 70% of the market, a lot of companies got out of the plasma market and with good reason. there is 40 years of research and development in lcd. Very soon plasma will be dead! And I dont even own one, i went dlp, which will also be dead. You do not need 1080P, sorry guys but thats the simple reality, its only even noticable if you are sitting close enough, and most of the installations they go in provide no benefit. I recently read in one of the HT nagazines i get, they of course had a tv shootout. Some were 1080p others not---a 720P plasma won the shootout, and NOT ONE of the reviewers, who were strictly looking at picture quality , even noticed. That being said, use all of those tv's in test for 12 months and run it again---LCD's would dominate no question.

I wonder who these folks are that can't see the difference between a 720P signal and a 1080i or 1080p? lol
They must be the same people that think an up converted DVD and Blu ray look the same. :-)

I use my panels for everything including surfing the web. There is a stark contrast between the two in my home. I can clearly see the difference toggling back an forth from 720p on my 52 and 1080p.
That's the cool thin about using the PC. It will up convert or down convert the resolution at will.

I suppose someone that uses a panel only for cable may not miss what can't be seen using a basic cable signal.

Lots of opinions here, not all of them accurate, so here's mine: Plasma TV's are not dead, and in fact, do some things better than LCD's and for less money. Plasmas and LCD's will both be around for quite awhile. 720P is basically the same as 1080i (P stands for progressive scan, which scans every line of resolution, whereas 1080i scans the even lines first, then the odd lines, etc). Most cable and satellite HD broadcasts are currently in 1080i. Why buy a 1080P then, if nobody is broadcasting it? Because even though you may not want a $400 Blu-ray player now, which do 1080P and look fantastic, where will their price point be this holiday season or next year? More than likely $200 or less, which means you'll probably want one then. On average, all things being equal, a 1080P flat panel will cost you about $500 more than a 720P currently. Bottom line: choose the right size TV for your room and viewing distance, set your price range, and choose the best LCD or plasma you can find. Remember, what and how you hook up to your flat panel will determine what your picture looks like as much as the type of TV itself...

I would wait until sometime around November and then give serious thought to 1080P. I own a Blu-Ray player and yes it is veru much worth it.

Unless you budget is forcing you, don't invest in 'last year's technology' as you will be locking yourself out of new possibilities.

Yes, those trying to analyze a cpmparison will say that "at such-and-such distance I found it was..."; but really, when you sit back and watch 1080P the color saturation and overall picture is really enjoyable.