Sponsored Post: 1080p vs. 720p: Comparing HDTV Video Display Formats

If you’re in the market for a new flat-screen TV, the video display format is most likely one of your main considerations. The two major formats -- 1080p and 720p share many similarities, but there are subtle differences you should understand before deciding what kind of TV to buy. Check out the information below to get a better understanding of these two formats before you make a purchase.

What’s the difference?

The main element 1080p and 780p share is that they’re both progressive display formats. This is what the “p” stands for in their names. Progressive display means that all the pixels are working together to create each frame of video. Interlaced technology, on the other hand, uses even and odd horizontal rows of pixels to create every other frame.

1080p: A 1080p HDTV is 1,920 by 1,080 pixels. This means there are 1,920 pixels displayed horizontally and 1,080 displayed vertically, resulting in 1,080 lines on the screen displayed progressively.

720p: Along the same lines, a 720p HDTV is 1,280 by 720 pixels, with 1,280 pixels displayed vertically and 720 displayed horizontally.

The main difference is the number of pixels that go into producing the image. The greater the number of pixels, the greater the image quality. With 720p, about one million pixels make up the image, while with 1080p, approximately two million pixels make up the image. This means that the image detail coming from a 1080p HDTV is far greater than a 720p, making it the most detailed high-definition image currently available to consumers.

The case for 720p

It may seem like a no-brainer to go with 1080p based on its superior image quality, but it’s important to note that the majority of TV programming is not broadcast in 1080p. This means that if you purchase a 1080p HDTV, the image won’t necessarily be displayed at that quality, but instead scaled to 1080p with the resolution kept at the 720p level. So, if most of what you’re watching will be displayed in 720p, why not just buy a 720p HDTV?

The case for 1080p

Apart from the obvious advantage of superior image quality, 1080p reigns supreme when it comes to Blu-ray and video game quality. Unlike television broadcasts, Blu-ray discs and most video games are formatted in 1080p. So, if most of your TV time is spent watching movies or gaming, a 1080p HDTV might be the right choice for you.

The verdict

When choosing between these two formats, it all comes down to your viewing habits, preferences and price range. If you’ll mainly be watching broadcast television on a screen less than 40 inches, a 720p HDTV is a great choice. But, if you want larger screen viewing for Blu-ray DVDs or gaming and have some extra money to spend, 1080p will be worth the price for the advanced quality.

Post is sponsored by h.h. gregg.

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KNOW THE TRUTH! DON'T CELEBRATE MAY THE FOURTH!

We all get excited about May the Fourth aka Star Wars Day, celebrating the lighter side of the force. However, there is a darker side to this popular holiday. Here is an "instructional" video about the truth of May the Fourth. Once you see it, you will totally understand the insidious nature of this seemingly cheery holiday.

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Iron Man 3 Celebration Giveaway!

Iron Man 3 is out today!!!  Huzzah Huzzah!  With all that excitement in mind, we are giving away a Iron Man 3 prize pack to one lucky reader.

You get a fabulous Iron Man 3 t-shirt (courtesy of Marvel) and a Silver Surfer Bottle Opener (courtesy of Diamond Select Toys).  Why a bottle opener not at all related to IM3?  Two reasons.  One, Tony Stark likes to drink, so obviously bottle opener.  Two, I have too much stuff in my giveaway box.  Also, stop complaining.

Editor's Note: Saw Iron Man 3 and in the first (maybe) ten minutes, you see a character wearing this exact shirt.  If you don't believe me, go see the freaking movie.  

You can't buy this awesome shirt in stores.  Ok, maybe eBay.

So enter now!  You may win and have a chance to rock this awesome shirt while you pop open bottles for your friends!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Wanna build an Autobot?

Hasbro, Inc. announced their plans for the TRANSFORMERS 30th Anniversary this year.  (Side note: A little sad I'm older than Transformers, even if its only a few months.)  They are having fans vote on a new TRANSFORMER to join the current lineup.  The winning Autobot or Decepticon will be revealed at this year's San Diego Comic Con.  You have until May 5th to enter your choices!

The Questions from Hasbro's TRANSFORMERS vote

Yes, this is a ploy to increase sales but still, I love these fan based activities.  This gives all of us fans, old and new, to be a small part of creation.  Their questions aren't bad either, which helps a lot.  I've kinda lost touch with TRANSFORMERS from my childhood, so I am excited to take part in this.  I will also do my best to be on hand for the unveiling at SDCC.  So go vote now and share your picks with us in the comments!

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Random Thoughts: Justice League - Where Do Superman's Powers Come From?

I recently discovered that Justice League was playing on Netflix. This made me extremely happy. It's the "In the Blackest Night" episode where Green Lantern is on trial on Ajuris 5. The JL goes to rescue him, and Superman is kicking alien butt, which is always fun, but then I thought, "How does he have his powers on that planet?"

Superman is a comic that I would love to follow, but there is just too much to catch up on. I pick up some of the stories in the trades, but mostly, I get my Superman fix from the movies, TV shows, and occasionally Wiki. I was always under the impression that Superman's powers came from the yellow sun. Has that changed? If so, when and what's the new version?

Random Thought: Glee - Does No One Know How To Close a Door?

I was watching the Guilty Pleasures episode of Glee last night, and I noticed something odd (it's Glee, there are a lot of odd things to notice) - the doors to the choir room are always open. Always. How is that acceptable in a school? Why do we need to see students walking outside the door? Is it to remind us that they are at a school? I would think the choir room would be enough for that. And where the heck is Sue Sylvester yelling at them to keep their infernal racket down? 



To be fair, for this performance they were coming from outside, but look at other performances. The doors are always open. I can suspend belief for many things but I find this one a little hard to swallow.

Are you ready for Free Comic Book Day?

That's right, we are about 5 weeks out from one of the bestest days of the year, Free Comic Book Day!  Every first Saturday of May, comic stores all over the country give out free comics to awaiting geeks, in hopes to encourage reading (and spending money) of comics.  Now, if you are a not a comic reader, you should check out Free Comic Book Day at your local comic shop.  If you are a comic reader, still check it out but bring a friend who doesn't read comics.  Spread the comic love!

If I can't convince you, let Thomas Jane convince you.  He knows all about the nutrition value of comics.



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Rob Thomas proves his awesome with a Veronica Mars movie!

Rob Thomas is a fighter.  So much of a fighter that a few years after the cancellation of Veronica Mars, Thomas and show star Kristen Bell (plus half the cast) have teamed up to raise money.

As a Browncoat, I can totally get behind this attempt to make a movie based on a short-lived (albeit longer than some...) cancelled TV show.  Plus, Veronica Mars was a freaking awesome show, and I miss it.

Check out the video for the hilariousness that ensues!



Really, this video alone is enough to make me want to give them money.  Even so, in the time it took for me to scribble out these few lines, they made almost $100K, which includes my $35 bucks.  Update: They have surpassed $1M in four hours!!!  Check it out and give them monies!

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Spring Cleaning and Random Questions!

As spring approaches, I've been doing some cleaning.  Yeah, I'm going all traditional with the spring cleaning around my apartment. Don't die of shock.  Since this is extremely boring, my mind has been wandering with some random questions that I just can't answer.  So I shout them out to the great void, in hopes that some unknown force can answer them, or more likely, we can all argue about them.

Review: Jack the Giant Slayer

This past Wednesday, Mister Jackal from InnerCity Geeks and I got a chance to see Jack the Giant Slayer before it hit theaters.  The film, based on the classic fairy-tale stars Nicholas Hoult, Eleanor Tomlinson, Ewan McGregor, and Stanley Tucci.

See what we thought of the latest fairytale story.

Giveaway Alert: Bag o' Toys from Toy Fair 2013

The best part of Toy Fair is the toys.  I know that seems obvious but it really is that awesome.  While we were wandering the floor, we got some freebies.  Like awesome freebies.  So we have two great prizes for you to try and win. 

Grand Prize is a Big ol'Bag of Toys!

Smaller Grand Prize is a Lunchbox of Fun!

I wanna take a moment to thank the booths that willing gave us cool stuff just to give you geeks toys*:

ThinkGeek

Tokidoki

Kidrobot

StacheTATS

Mezco Toyz

Ninja Cards

A Crowded Coop

Dark Horse Comics

Go check them out, give them love and (if you can) money.  They are awesome.

So enter, right here and right now!!!!  Giveaway ends March 8th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Not everyone listed is represented in both bags.  Both are still cool though.

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Toy Fair 2013: Join the 'Verse with Gale Force Nine Games

Despite only 13 episodes, Browncoats keep doing the impossible. We've got a movie, we've got a number of comic runs and now we've got a board game. That's right, Gale Force Nine announced this past Sunday that they are coming out with a Firefly game. I got a chance to speak briefly with a staffer about the game while at Toy Fair.

I can honestly say that this isn't a basic game with Firefly stamped in the center.  After meeting the company president, I know he is a Browncoat.  The team at GF9 put a lot of time researching the show and having the storyline of the show match the game. Each player will play as a ship (Yes, only one of you can be Serenity. Take turns.) You spend your gameplay hiring crew, take jobs, and filling your hold.  How well you do depends on how well you manage your resources.  But unlike other games, you aren't forced to deal with obstacles. Don't wanna face Reavers? Stay away from them. Don't wanna break the law? Don't have to. However, the advertising encourages you to "aim to misbehave." It's all in how you chose to shape the game.

This game looks to be a great time for every Firefly fan. For you lucky Gencon attendees, it will be premiering there, then the rest of us get a crack at it.  Shiny!



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Toy Fair 2013: Timmy's got a bag of toys from Thinkgeek!

While at Toy Fair, we had a chance to meet with Steve, the Undersecretary for the Ministry of Misinformation at Thinkgeek.  He gave us the opportunity to check out the latest products to come out of TG, plus the chance to rub elbows with the infamous monkey behind it all.

Toy Fair 2013: Mattel's got a Super Secret!

It's a crappy pic but it really is
the Superman Costume

Yesterday at Toy Fair, I got a chance to see Mattel's new movie masters line of Man of Steel Action Figures.    There were four figures on display, plus one in the packaging.  Sadly, we weren't able to take any pictures, but I'm gonna try to describe them for ya.

Review: Side Effects

Last week, Mister Jackal of InnerCity Geeks and I got a chance to attend an early screening of Side Effects. No wait, not an early screening, it was the frelling NYC premiere! Any night where the movie gets a live introduction from Steven Soderbergh is pretty awesome.

Here are our takes on Side Effects.

What do you call the new Spider-Man?

At this point, everyone knows the big surprise behind the final issue of Amazing Spider-Man that sets up the new series, Superior Spider-Man. If you don't, then get the hell out of my house (that's all the SPOILER ALERT you get). The new identity of our hero leaves one question unanswered for the legions of spider-fans out there; just what do we call this new entity that is Spider-Man?

[spoiler]

Review: Warm Bodies

We lucked out and were able to see the newest zombie flick a few weeks early. Warm Bodies is being portrayed as a funny teen love story, but does it hold up to the hype?

The Man of Steel is Elderly and Jewish

I know you are kinda wondering what I'm getting at.  Well, this past Sunday I attended a 75th Birthday Party for Superman at the Center for Jewish History.  That's right, the very first issue of Action Comics came out in June of 1938.  Wowza.

A New Superhero from Dark Horse

Are you burnt out on the same old superheroes from the same old comic companies?   Yeah, me too.  Well, here is a preview of the new hero from our friends at Dark Horse Comics!  Coming January 23rd from the brains of Dennis Hopeless and Mike Norton, get ready for The Answer!

From Dark Horse Comics:

Devin McKenzie is an insomniac librarian with a knack for solving puzzles. The Answer! is a masked crime fighter with a giant exclamation point on his face. Aside from a penchant for late nights, they share nothing in common . . . until both become embroiled in a deadly mystery surrounding a sinister motivational speaker!

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2012: The Year of.....

Borrowed from cloudtimes.org

Another year at its end, 2012 brought us a lot of stuff that we celebrated or cried over as the year went on...Disney buying Star Wars, The Hobbit, Marvel Now, and another failed apocalypse. However, some of the best moments came from one persons mind. Yes, you have probably guessed who I am talking about.