The last part of the HDTV Buying Guide explained the differences between plasma and LCD HDTVs. With that major topic covered, the final thing that is needed is to hammer out a few important points that will decide which HDTV is the best fit.
Besides the battle between plasma and LCD, the choice between is 720p and 1080p is one of the most hotly debated topics among HDTV enthusiasts. The question is one of value. 1080p's resolution is no doubt higher than that of 720p, and by a fair margin. This makes a difference in how sharp an image can be. Certainly, formats like Blu-Ray tend to have a level of crispness in 1080p which cannot be overcome by the lower resolution format.
That said, the value perspective is a big deal. Many buyers fixate on the numbers of 720p and 1080p because they are the most quantifiable. Traits like color accuracy are more difficult to compute with a casual glance. That said, the quality of an HDTV picture is just as much to do with the vibrant picture as it does with the high resolution. In addition, 720p is nothing to sneeze at.
It is worth noting that there are limits to what the human eye can see at certain distances. One of the most common points in favor of 720p is the fact that a person standing a certain distance from an HDTV will never be able to tell the difference between 720p and 1080p. If the picture is too far away or the screen too small, the human eye simply can't tell the difference. When buying a HDTV of under 40" there is rarely any benefit to buying a 1080p HDTV. On the other hand, screens of 52" and larger are rarely offered with anything except 1080p as an option. The buyers who will have to choose are those looking for a HDTV between the 40" and 52" range, and it does come down to personal preference. If the extra sharpness of 1080p is noticeable and the extra money isn't an issue, 1080p is the way to go. But those who see no difference should skip straight to 720p.