Are you in the market for a small HDTV? If you opt for a 1080p model that is less than 46 inches you may be paying too much, according to new information released by the Los Angeles Times.
The term 1080p means that the display will have 1080 lines of vertical resolution which provides more detail than a 720p display. Or does it?
While 1080p can have benefits on smaller HD computer screens that will be used for text and graphics, there is likely no discernable difference when watching TV or movies when compared to the same size 720p screen.
“To see 1,080 vertical lines of resolution you need at least a TV of about 46 inches to fully see it,” states Gary Merson, editor of HDGuru.com. “At 26 inches, forget it, you won’t tell the difference.”
So why do manufacturers even offer 1080p in smaller displays? Actually, for less sinister reasons than some may believe.
Some manufacturers are simply going after the consumer market that wants to use the display for a computer monitor or game console, as well as watching television. Others may simply be adding TV tuners to existing models to reach new markets because it’s inexpensive for them to do so.
So maybe manufacturers aren’t trying to reap extra profit by intentionally selling their customers technology that they can’t actually benefit from.
However, when shopping for a small HDTV (or any electronic device for that matter) it’s good to know what specifications suit your needs so you don’t end up paying more than you should.
For example, a quick comparison on Amazon shows a $30 difference in the list price between a 26 inch 720p Vizio RazorLED LCD and a 26 inch 1080p Vizio RazorLED LCD, with otherwise similar specifications. A look at offerings by other manufacturers shows similar results.
What’s the moral of the story? Educate yourself on specifications before you buy and, as always, buyer beware. HDTV manufacturers certainly aren’t the first, nor will they likely be the last, industry to sell people more than they can use.
13 Comments
2) 22" TV's double as PC monitors
Seriously! Who buys a 22" TV unless it's for tucking away in the kitchen (or elsewhere) or for Dual use as a monitor?
In this case, you're probably going to be relatively close to the TV away, so you WILL benefit from the finer resolution, and benefits of the finer resolution for monitors is obvious.
This issue has been debated to death for the last 5 years.
People with good eyes will see the difference between 720p & 1080p depending on screen size & distance. Many can't tell the difference between a HDTV and the old CRT TV's.
With the introduction of HDMI on Video cards now, the debate is a non-issue.
*Note* This comment was typed on a laptop with 15" screen with 1920x1080 resolution. And I saw the 720p version before deciding on the 1080p version.
The distance you sit from the screen is just as important as the size of the screen. If you sit one foot away from a 26" screen you can definitely see the difference between 720p and 1080p, but if you sit twenty feet away from a 50" screen you probably can't.
The only ripoff scam here is people paying L.A. Times for writing this kind of "news".
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Originally Posted by DrageMester
The idea that only screen size determines whether you can see 720p or 1080p is ridiculous and utterly wrong!
The distance you sit from the screen is just as important as the size of the screen. If you sit one foot away from a 26" screen you can definitely see the difference between 720p and 1080p, but if you sit twenty feet away from a 50" screen you probably can't. The only ripoff scam here is people paying L.A. Times for writing this kind of "news". |
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Originally Posted by Blu-rayFreak
I think the point is, if you're using the display for TV/movie viewing only, you'll most likely never be sitting/standing close enough to see the difference on a smaller TV. And, as the article notes, if you're using the small display as a monitor as well, then you will take advantage.
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Originally Posted by ivid
I have heard this and its bullocks. Our eyes can discern far higher resolutions that this at smaller sizes. If people can't tell the difference its because the video processor is crap or some other factor.
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Yet again, human stupidity, general laziness and complete ignorance have been combined to generate a "news" story
Is it just me, or does "news" these days seem to be more bum-fluff and less research & accuracy?
Or was it always like that, and now that I'm older and more cynical, I just notice it more?
They don't seem to have the article on their site guess they where too embarrassed to post it there.
raf
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Originally Posted by ed205gti
You do the math, but the human eye can only determine 300dpi (Dots per inch), any greater and you cannot determine the difference. (quoted for what Apple told us about the iPhone 4's HD Screen)
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the formula for this is = 1080p DPI use (2203/TVsize).
so say a 50" would have a DPI at 44.06 which is no problem keeping up with resolution.
now take an Iphone which has a 3.5 inch screen would be 629 dpi but since it isnt a 1080p screen then it would be 163 ppi not dpi as the screen is 320 x 480 not 1920 x 1080 lol
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Originally Posted by debro
1) Uniformity of electronics with larger models?
2) 22" TV's double as PC monitors Seriously! Who buys a 22" TV unless it's for tucking away in the kitchen (or elsewhere) or for Dual use as a monitor? In this case, you're probably going to be relatively close to the TV away, so you WILL benefit from the finer resolution, and benefits of the finer resolution for monitors is obvious. This issue has been debated to death for the last 5 years. People with good eyes will see the difference between 720p & 1080p depending on screen size & distance. Many can't tell the difference between a HDTV and the old CRT TV's. With the introduction of HDMI on Video cards now, the debate is a non-issue. *Note* This comment was typed on a laptop with 15" screen with 1920x1080 resolution. And I saw the 720p version before deciding on the 1080p version. |
If you read this article on your computer, laptop, smart phone, or iPad, then you can already tell the difference between 720P and 1080P when viewing a small display --- close up (within 2 feet)! But if you are going to watch movies or TV at a greater distance, then you need a bigger screen; still capable of displaying 1080P, or better.
My career is designing Ultimate Home Theaters, and in that pursuit I utilize the biggest screen dimensions possible. In order to fully immerse your senses, I feature Sony and JVC 4K projectors ( 4,096 x 2,160P & 2,400P ), whose near 10 Megapixel displays can also create ravishing 3D images, with twice again the information going to each eye (nearly 20 Megapixels @ 60P)!
My advice is to always get 1080P displays or better and watch the biggest images, possible. Today, there are worthwhile DLP projectors available for the same price as a flat panel of 50" or so that offer far more compelling picture quality than you will likely see even at the best movie theaters in the world --- save for my own.
Cheers -
Jeremy
Kipnis Studios (KSS)
www.Kipnis-Studios.com
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Originally Posted by guru2u
This is partly true as the screen gets smaller then it would be a strain to keep up with resolution.
the formula for this is = 1080p DPI use (2203/TVsize). so say a 50" would have a DPI at 44.06 which is no problem keeping up with resolution. now take an Iphone which has a 3.5 inch screen would be 629 dpi but since it isnt a 1080p screen then it would be 163 ppi not dpi as the screen is 320 x 480 not 1920 x 1080 lol |
http://www.apple.com/iphone/specs.html
The point is that if your screen has over 300 ppi/dpi (Pixels per inch) you will not be able to determine the difference in quality, even from a 3.5inch to 50inch screen.
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Originally Posted by ed205gti
CORRECTION: The iPhone 4 has a HD screen 'RETINA' - 960-by-640-pixel resolution at 326 ppi
http://www.apple.com/iphone/specs.html The point is that if your screen has over 300 ppi/dpi (Pixels per inch) you will not be able to determine the difference in quality, even from a 3.5inch to 50inch screen. |
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