Is 720p good for a TV?

720p is one of the most common high definition resolutions found on affordable TVs today. But with higher resolutions like 1080p and 4K Ultra HD becoming mainstream, is 720p still a viable choice? In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll examine the benefits and limitations of 720p resolution across various screen sizes to help you decide if it‘s sufficient for your needs.

What is 720p Resolution?

720p refers to a display resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels. It‘s called 720p because there are 720 horizontal scan lines that make up the image. The "p" stands for progressive scanning which draws the lines sequentially in a single pass.

This is different from interlaced scanning where the odd and even lines are drawn alternately in two passes. Progressive scanning avoids the interleaving artifacts and flickering that can occur with interlaced video. This makes 720p better suited for motion clarity with action movies, sports and gaming.

With its 1280 x 720 resolution, 720p contains around 1 million pixels. That‘s approximately one quarter the pixel count of 4K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160) which boasts over 8 million pixels. But it still provides a noticeable jump in clarity over standard definition 480p TVs.

720p vs 1080p Resolution

The most common question around 720p is how it compares to the higher 1080p resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels). 1080p is considered Full HD while 720p is just plain HD. In terms of pixel count, 1080p has about 2 million pixels which is twice as many as 720p sets.

But more pixels don‘t always equate to a dramatically better viewing experience. On TV screens smaller than 40 inches, from typical viewing distances, many people would be hard pressed to see a significant difference between 720p vs 1080p. The larger the screen gets, and the closer you sit, the more you‘ll benefit from those extra 1080p pixels.

According to THX, optimal viewing distance is 1.5 to 2.5 times the diagonal screen size. So for a 32" TV, ideal distance is 4 to 5 feet. At that range, 720p starts to provide enough resolution to deliver a crisp, detailed image on a small to mid-sized display. But video purists may still prefer 1080p.

Here are some general guidelines for minimum resolutions based on TV size:

• 24" to 32": 720p is adequate if sitting 5+ feet away
• 40" to 50": 1080p recommended for best clarity
• 55" and up: 1080p or 4K strongly recommended

Of course personal eyesight and sensitivity to lower resolution will also impact results. Some opt for 1080p on even smaller screens to get the sharpest text and details. But 720p is still considered the minimum specification for high definition and offers good picture quality for most content on sub 40" TVs.

720p vs 1080i for Broadcast TV

Over-the-air HDTV broadcast signals are often transmitted in 1080i instead of 1080p. That‘s because 1080i requires less bandwidth. But on a 720p TV, 720p content converted from the 1080i signal can sometimes look better than native 720p. This is thanks to 720p‘s progressive scanning.

The conversion process eliminates the interlacing associated with 1080i signals. Since all lines are drawn sequentially, you avoid the potential for interlace flicker and artifacts that can occur on rapid motion. So 720p presents a smoother, cleaner picture for live sports compared to 1080i for broadcasts.

Optimal Viewing Distance by Screen Size and Resolution

Distances are minimum optimal for fully appreciating increased resolution detail

As this table summarizes, optimal viewing distances get shorter as screen size and resolution go up. Sitting further than the minimum range for your TV‘s resolution means you won‘t reap the full benefits of those extra pixels. While closer than ideal can make lower resolutions more obvious.

Gaming Performance at 720p

For gaming, 720p is still a very popular resolution choice even on higher resolution displays. At 720p, most modern game titles can achieve smooth frame rates of 60 fps or higher with decent graphics cards. This leads to responsive gameplay even on moderately priced hardware.

Competitive multiplayer games like Call of Duty and Fortnite run extremely well at 720p resolution. Higher resolution may make distant enemies appear sharper, but fast response times and high frame rates take priority for competitive gaming. 720p strikes a great balance, especially on more affordable GPUs.

Here‘s a look at approximate fps performance playing popular games at 720p vs 1080p resolution:

FPS based on Nvidia RTX 2060 graphics card

As you can see from these benchmarks, there is a significant fps advantage to playing at 720p vs 1080p with mid-range hardware. While 1080p offers added visual clarity, the improved responsiveness and fluidity of 720p gaming provides a great experience.

720p strikes a great balance between performance and image quality for most gaming setups. And on smaller TVs and monitors 27" or under, the lower resolution isn‘t as obvious so the benefits outweigh 1080p. Plus with Game Mode enabled, input lag is minimized for responsive control.

Media Streaming at 720p

Media streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, YouTube and Amazon Prime all support 720p HD resolution. So you can enjoy high definition movies, TV shows and videos even without a 1080p television. Just take note the native resolution of the content.

Streaming 720p video only requires 5-8 Mbps broadband speeds for smooth playback. This makes it very accessible for most home internet connections. And 720p content streamed to a 720p TV avoids any unnecessary upscaling or downscaling.

However, streaming higher than 720p resolution video on a 720p TV will result in that content being downscaled to match your display‘s native resolution. So you won‘t get the full benefit of those extra pixels. 1080p and 4K streams will essentially be converted to 720p.

If your broadband connection and streaming device support it, choosing the 720p stream will use less data while looking sharp on a 720p TV. And for many viewers, 720p provides a great high definition streaming experience. But film fanatics may still prefer 1080p or 4K for the best clarity and detail.

720p Limitations

While 720p resolution offers many benefits, especially for smaller TVs, it does come with some limitations compared to higher resolutions:

• Lower pixel density results in a less sharp, detailed image, particularly on larger screens. Fine text can appear more pixelated.

• Upscaled standard definition content can look noticeably soft and blurry. Native 720p avoids this but isn‘t as crisp as 1080p/4K.

• During fast motion from sports, video games and action films, there is a higher chance of seeing pixelation and blurring artifacts at 720p.

• Sitting close to a large 720p TV makes the lower resolution much more apparent compared to 1080p or 4K when viewed up close.

• Less headroom for multitasking with split windows and productivity work compared to higher resolution monitors.

For these reasons, 1080p or 4K are recommended for TVs 50" and larger where the extra resolution has a big impact. Enthusiast gamers also may want 1080p or higher to get the clearest picture during action. But for casual use cases 720p works great as an affordable HD option.

The Verdict on 720p TVs

720p resolution continues to deliver a compelling high definition viewing experience, especially on smaller 32 to 40" TVs. For media consumption and gaming from normal distances, the visual quality holds up very well against 1080p. And 720p sets can be substantially cheaper than 1080p displays.

If your priority is getting an affordable TV with good HD picture quality, 720p is still a great choice. It provides a noticeable jump in clarity from standard definition. But for larger screens and home theater experiences, step up to at least 1080p for best results. Overall 720p strikes a great balance between price and performance that still satisfies in 2022.