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  • From Windows to wireless, Contributing Editor Lincoln Spector finds solutions to readers' most vexing PC problems.
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Do I Need a 1080p HDTV?

Lincoln Spector

Len Rosenbaum plans to buy a small HDTV. Does he need 1080p?

I'm a big fan of 1080p, but for a set less than 37 inches, I'd say no. You'd have to be sitting awfully close to see any difference in image quality.

Are there compatibility issues? Not really. The FCC-approved standard for HDTV broadcasts doesn't even include 1080p--just 720p and 1080i. Considering all the hassles involved with the recent switch from analog to digital broadcast, I don't think anyone is eager to change broadcast standards any time soon.

As far as I can know, every HDTV sold today can manage 1080i, even if it has to downconvert it to a lower resolution. That's really all it needs to do.

Nor will a Blu-ray player be a problem. They're all capable of outputting at 720p or 1080i.

Add your comments to this article below. If you have other tech questions, email them to me at answer@pcworld.com, or post them to a community of helpful folks on the PCW Answer Line forum.

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