The only resolutions that look good above DVD resolution, which at best is almost always 480p. are 720p, or 1080i. They have 1080p and 1800-1900p now just coming out on some sets too.
Later this year several manufacturers are introducing hi res dvd players that will out put 1080i or 720p from a dvd, though there is some argument over how many manufacturers will do it from copyprotected dvd's and how many won't but only other dvd's.
ANYWAY, buying anything less than 1080i is a dead investment in its tracks. 720p is a higher res that 1080i because its progressive , hence then 720 p, as opposed to 1080i, where the i is interlaced. Most everything considered HDTV is 1080i or 720p or HIGHER.
Most people don't know that dvd technology and resolution is definitely old now compared to what the rest of the world has in some areas.
Because of hollywood, this country is a decade behind on that stuff, AND now hollywood is pushing alot of the the hdtv tuner manufacturers to copy protect the over the air signals so you can't record things as simple as tv's shows in some instances. People are very up in arms over that, people complain they would end up with 3 copies of their movies and tv stuff in some cases, the vhs if they bought it, the dvd, and then the hd version. The argument is whether you should pay for a new copy of the same show every time they increase the resolution. They cycles get shorter and shorter, who knows maybe if bought each one as it came out because you liked a movie or show, in 3 years yet another format or resolution like d-vhs or hd-dvd ,or yet another new higher resoution, would have you buying fourth and/or fifth copies of the same material so its quite the heated argument people are having over property vs milking the public too much.
Of course sets would have to catch up, though I hear the have bio lcd panel tv displays in asia already working that roll up like a window shade.
Now before I get 50 flames for all kinds of different reasons, I own 2 plasmas and 2 tuners and have read the avsforum for a year just stop by there and you can read it all for yourself.
You could spend days discussing this stuff, so I encourage everyone to visit the AVSFORUM.COM, globally considered the biggest and best website for tv's, dvd's, plasmas, tubes, tuners, d-hvs, you name it.
I might add the site has long informative threads, allows posts like this site does, AND people do list good prices and places to shop like here as well. Very well worth the visit.
I get upset when I see all these people running out spending thousands on old or bad spec technology called "HDTV." Technically the dvd output is HDTV at 480p some people say, but of course we all know the over the air HDTV is much higher and thats what you really want the set to be able to display, 1080i or 720p.
Have fun folks, please visit the site, you can find opinions on all angles on this stuff so this not a push or plug for anyone and the site doesnt let vendors sell or advertise on it unless they just changed that except for a handful of group or avsforum deals so no one profits, its a great place for informations.
The newer toshiba and other projection sets are the best values and superb in many cases