1080p Does Matter Here's When (Screen Size vs. Viewing Distance vs. Resolution)

[Porfie]

I here many takes on what screen size you really need to notice 1080p and so many differant answers. The link below has some very great stuff that sets the record straight


http://www.carltonbale.com/2006/11/1080p-does-matter/

[MouseRider]

A good mix of armchair science and facts.

Obviously, there is certainly a correlation to magnification (screen size), resolution and how far you sit from the screen to be able to notice artifacts, but what this article does lack is those calculations aren't that simple when it comes to moving images as opposed to a static image.

To put practical perception to the test and best place to see if 1920x1080 is really enough for your screen size/viewing distance is to go to a D-Cinema if you have one in your neighborhood.

The large majority of D-Cinema projection equipment today is still at 2k resolution (2048x1080), you might be surprised how little you might notice in everyday viewing situations, after all, people have been watching 640x480 for decades.

[Maxell]

I think it's big BS when people say you wont notice 1080 on a 32"/37" lcd. It's more about cutting costs and selling sets at a cheaper and more movable cost than make it more expensive with a full 1920x1080 resolution.

I have a 32" 720p lcd, and the 1080i signals look way more high def than 720p signals, although the 720p signals have alot less motion artifact.

[Shadowself]

I have to disagree with Bale's statement that typical "20/20" sight is 1/60th of a degree. That's approximately 290 micro radians.

Everything I've read or tested over the years points to approximately 150 micro radians resolving power for people with standard vision. Some studies even point to 125 micro radians.

And this is for general objects.

If two very straight edges are projected on a screen and are offset by as little as 25 micro radians a person with perfect "standard" vision will be able to notice an offset.

All of these numbers point to the ability of the viewer to see better than Bale's reference to 1/60th of a degree (one arc minute).

Thus all his charts have to be shifted in favor of seeing differences between the different screen resolutions at even greater distances than his charts would imply.

HOWEVER...
Being able to see a difference is also extremely dependent upon what is shown. A high contrast image with lots of crisp edges will show up a difference at a greater distance than some imagery which has muted edges and poor contrast.

So...
Unless you're watching something with extreme imagery don't expect to see differences in resolution at extreme distances.