Hi, so I've been curious about this for some time. I've seen in some places (mainly reddit) that it's better to get 720p WEB-DL's over 1080p ones for currently airing TV and movies without Blu-Ray sources. I'm not familiar with the technical encoding stuff, but why would a lower resolution file be preferable? Is it just for convenience or does it actually look better? Further, I've seen elsewhere that it's the opposite for animation (1080p over 720p).

So, what am I missing here?

my personal experience is if you watch it on computer or TV smaller than 40", there is no difference between 720p and 1080p.

The problem with iTunes (Web-DL) full HD videos is that they're encoded with low video bitrate not suitable for such a resolution and this lowers the overall quality which means that a 720p Web-DL video will give u better image details (even if upscaled) than the 1080p videos.
You probably know that 1080p have about a double number of pixels comparing with 720p which will require at least 50% increase in the video bitrate to keep the same details presented with 720p videos. Apple chose to increase the bitrate only 25% which lowered the picture quality. (The numbers are just approximated)
However, animated videos don't require high video bitrates to keep the details of the image, so you'll get a better quality in 1080p web-dl animation videos than 720p (this is the only exception)
Also keep in mind that both 720p & 1080p web-dl releases have the same audio track.
To sum up: Stick with 720p web-dl videos all the way except if u're downloading animation.

Originally Posted by kuho

my personal experience is if you watch it on computer or TV smaller than 40", there is no difference between 720p and 1080p.

You know I've never really downloaded the same file in 720p/1080p for a serious comparison, but in my 38'' I suppose the difference wouldn't be noticeable.

Originally Posted by reberta

The problem with iTunes (Web-DL) full HD videos is that they're encoded with low video bitrate not suitable for such a resolution and this lowers the overall quality which means that a 720p Web-DL video will give u better image details (even if upscaled) than the 1080p videos.
You probably know that 1080p have about a double number of pixels comparing with 720p which will require at least 50% increase in the video bitrate to keep the same details presented with 720p videos. Apple chose to increase the bitrate only 25% which lowered the picture quality. (The numbers are just approximated)
However, animated videos don't require high video bitrates to keep the details of the image, so you'll get a better quality in 1080p web-dl animation videos than 720p (this is the only exception)
Also keep in mind that both 720p & 1080p web-dl releases have the same audio track.
To sum up: Stick with 720p web-dl videos all the way except if u're downloading animation.

Wow, that's a thorough answer, thank you. Now that you explain it that way, It think I understand why most 1080p versions are only slightly bigger than the 720p ones which I found unusual. I would guess that a "quality" 1080p encode would be at least twice as big as the 720p one, maybe? Either way, I'm glad you also explained the animation part, that way I can decide which release I should get for different types of stuff.

ive used same tv ep in 1080 and 720 and 1080 looks better on my 60 in samsung

the 720p is better in my opinion.

in my option 1080p releases are always better