Caveat emptor re advice: It all depends on viewing distance. The Santa Barbara Sony dealer specializes in the XBR and ES lines; they have LCDs on a wall more or less like pictures at an exhibition, all fed a Blu-ray or HDTV signal. The 1080p displays permit closer viewing without compromising picture quality, thus achieving a more immersive experience with a smaller display. Viewed at the same relatively close distance, 1080p is obviously superior to 1080i. Most viewers sit too far away from too small a screem to achieve the immersive effect a film was intended to have in a theater. For example, SMPTE recommends a 59" 16:9 diagonal for a minimum 30° subtended vieiwing angle at 8'; THX recommends 71.7" for 36° at 8'.
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