HDTV formats: 720p and 1080i

I'm holding off on buying a HDTV for now.  Amongst the 18 HDTV standards, two are currently is use.  720p and 1080i.  While 1080i seems to be the superior format, and the one likely to become a standard, there will still be stations broadcasting in 720p.  But HDTVs will accept both kinds of input, right?

Well, yes and no.  Most HDTVs will accept them as input, but then convert them to whatever format it uses.  1080i will get squished, and 720p will get distorted.  Granted, these are very nitpicky issues, but those of us who would be willing to plop down a grand or two for a HDTV will expect to get what we pay for.  The only solution so far seems to be computer monitors, which have 1080p resolution built in, or higher.  Unfortunately, even a 30" such model can easy cost you three grand (of course, you have the worlds largest home computer monitor, so that does help). 

Are there any good HDTVs out there that will display both 1080i and 720p?  Is it really worth bothering with, since even with conversion, you'd still get better-that-DVD quality?  Or what about using a 16:9 computer monitor as a TV?

what U want is 1080p

1080p? lets see a set support that. I haven't even seen a decent TV set that supports 720p, just professional monitors for video editing. I like 720p better that 1080i, the extra resolution doesn't matter to me as much as progressive scan.

My Apple 23" widescreen monitor does, but it's 2 grand.  I want to watch HDTV on a big ol 42" or higher screen.  I guess I'll just have to wait a few years (not that NTSC isn't good enough for now). 

Honestly, I'd think a 720p display of a 1080i signal would look better than a 1080i display of a 720 signal.  You'd have a little bit of resolution loss, but you'd still be getting each line.  Conversion to 1080i would mean you lose half the picture every frame, and the resolution upscaling would look bad.

The thing about 1080i is that only 540 lines of picture are displayed per frame. 720p is actually higher resolution. 1080i should really be called 540i. 1080p on the other hand is true 1080  scan line display. The p in these abreviations stands for progressive, the i for interlaced. Any time you see a standard that is interlaced, double-check to see if the number is really representative of what you'll be seeing.

>>5
you mean 1080i should be called 540p

interlaced video should just be smitten from the planet already

>>4

how do you get the signal in? I thought those monitors only use DVI. If you want HD for consoles and (most) progressive DVD players you need component video inputs.

>>8
Component to DVI converter.  Which is expensive as hell.  But, it would more or less convert everything to 1080p.  But that's the whole point.  I want a real HDTV that will actually show 1080i and 720p, or at least one that does a fantastic conversion job.  Probably going to wait a few years. 

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