OTHER TECH

Resolution Recommendation

Q. I'm planning to buy a moderately priced HDTV - either a 50-inch plasma or a front projector with a 60-inch-wide screen. I've been looking at 720p-resolution sets, but am wondering if it would be wise to wait for a 1080p model. Which would give me the sharper 1080p picture from a 6- to 7-foot viewing distance: the 50-inch plasma or the front projector? Also, would the difference in resolution over a 720p set be substantial? Ronald V. Tancredi FARMINGDALE, NY

A. Al Griffin says: Assuming that both the 50-inch plasma and the front projector have native 1080p resolution, they should look equally sharp at a 6-foot viewing distance. But at 7 feet, you'll get into a gray area where your eyes' ability to process that level of detail will begin to falter. So the answer to your first question depends on how close you plan to sit. If it's 6 feet away from the screen, you can safely go with the plasma. But if it's 7 feet, I'd choose the front projector and 60-inch screen option. (See Maxing Out Resolution for more detailed guidance on this issue.) As for your second question: The difference between 720p- and 1080p-resolution TV isn't substantial, but it's definitely noticeable provided you sit close enough to the screen to appreciate it.

Degraded Satellite

Q. When my digital satellite dish was installed several years ago, the dealer said not to run it through a VCR because it degrades the picture. Would a DVD recorder have the same effect? Glenn Waggoner RIDLEY PARK, PA

A. Ian G. Masters says: In general, the fewer the devices a signal passes through, the better. If all you're talking about is running the composite-video output of your satellite receiver through your DVD recorder or VCR on its way to the TV, you probably won't notice much difference, and the convenience of simply being able to hit the "Record" button at short notice might outweigh everything else. Still, it's worth checking it both ways. On the other hand, your satellite-to-TV signal should be something more advanced - at least S-video, if not component video - in which case a direct-to-TV connection will preserve the signal quality best.