I'm looking at LCD and Plasma TVs and am trying to compare their resolutions.

A Hitachi 37" Plasma is quoted as 1024x1024 = 1,048,576 pixels

A Sharp 32" LCD is quoted as 1366x768x3 = 3,147,264 dots

How do I compare these - are dots and pixels the same ?

If so does this mean that the Sharp is over 3 times finer than the Hitachi ?

Cheers,

Nigel

Hmmm Sharp playing the numbers game methinks.

The DOT's probably refer to the three coloured elements that make up what would normally be refered to as a Pixel. Each pixel actually has three LCD "dots" one each for the three colours, Red Green and Blue. Sharp is obviously counting these as well just to make the numbers look more impressive. But that is a bit naughty as it obviously misleads you about the true piscture resolution.

In the example you have given the first two numbers are the pixel resolution. Ignore the x3. In both cases the first number is the horizontal resolution and the second the virtical. On a standard screen they will be in the ratio of 4 horizontal to 3 vertical. Widescreen is 16 to 9. BTW I very much doubt the Hitachi is 1024 x 1024 as that would be square! Typo?

So in answer to your question the Sharp is higher resolution but only about 30% not 300%!

The dots specification refers to the individual red, green and blue(RGB) dots that make up each pixel.They are also known as sub-pixels.This is why the Sharp specification is given as x3, meaning R G and B.
The total pixel resolution for the Sharp LCD is therefore 1,049,088 pixels, slightly more than the Hitachi screen.
However the two screens differ in how they are arrange their horizontal and vertical pixel resolutions, so the Sharp is better horizontally and the Hitachi is better vertically.

BTW the Hitachi specification is correctly given as 1024 x 1024.

Bear in mind that normal broadcast TV will be at PAL resolution of 720x576 and will not be as sharp as it is on a normal TV.

The Hitachi is an ALiS panel. It's interlaced, so the true resolution is 1024 x 512. I've heard a lot of bad things about ALiS, so I wouldn't recommend them.

The Sharp LCD is a progressive panel, so it has more resolution: 1366 x 768. LCDs have been criticised in the past due to inaccurate colours and smearing effects caused by to poor response times. They're getting better all the time, though, so you may not experience this on the Sharp.

I suggest you test both panels with a range of material: interlaced DVD material, progressive DVD material, digital TV etc before making any final decisions.

the resolutions are only really relivant when used with a computer.

Contrast ratio, in my humble opinion, is the key.

True, contrast ratio is too often overlooked, but resolution is still important. Ideally all displays should have at least 576 vertical resolution - most plasmas are only 480 - and higher resolutions are required if you want to receive HDTV in the future or watch HD-DVDs/Blu-ray discs.