A very basic question - Screen size and native resolution

[admin_exported]

Hello

I have a few basic questions, if I may...

- the Panasonic 42PX80 and 37PX80 both have the same native resolution. As the 42" is the bigger screen, are its pixels simply physically bigger than those in the 37"?

- As such, this is why you need to sit further away from the 42" than the 37" to see the same picture quality (relatively)?

-And as such, is this why 42" sets (in general) are recommended for bigger rooms, and presumed larger viewing distances, than 37" sets?

Am I correct or hopelessly confused?

 

[Andrew Everard]

Yes, yes, yes, yes and no

 

[nads]

the 42 will have more horizontal lines. after have ing seen Andrews reply..... maybe it only happens with screens over 42" but my 50", has more horizontal lines than the 42" but has the same resolution.

 

[Andrew Everard]

[quote user="nads"]the 42 will have more horizontal lines.[/quote]

Yes - 1024x768 in the 42, 1024x720 in the 37. So 6.666666666% more pixels.

 

[nads]

[quote user="Andrew Everard"]
[quote user="nads"]the 42 will have more horizontal lines.[/quote]

Yes - 1024x768 in the 42, 1024x720 in the 37. So 6.666666666% more pixels.
[/quote]

so your first yes should be a No?

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys!

Would gut instinct push you towards the 42" as it is me or would you be more scientific?

Viewing distance is about 3m.

 

[FuzzyinLondon]

At 3m I think you should be thinking about 42" minimum and possibly even considering a 50". What's your budget? What's the biggest you think you could fit in to the intended room?

 

[Andrew Everard]

[quote user="nads"]so your first yes should be a No?[/quote]

No, because the pixels are larger, which is what the OP asked.

If my O-level maths doesn't let me down, that's how a 42in has around 27.5% more screen area than a 37in, with only 6.66666% more pixels

 

[Andrew Everard]

[quote user="FuzzyinLondon"]At 3m I think you should be thinking about 42" minimum and possibly even considering a 50". What's your budget? What's the biggest you think you could fit in to the intended room?[/quote]

IMHO yes, at that distance 42 minimum, and a 50 would be much better.

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="Andrew Everard"]IMHO yes, at that distance 42 minimum, and a 50 would be much better.[/quote]

The sticky thread at the top of this forum (http://whathifi.com/forums/t/77.aspx) suggests a 32" maximum for between a 2.5m and 3.5m viewing distance. It also says that you should be about 4m away when watching a screen bigger than 42".

Is that thread no longer correct? has the quality of newer TVs changed sufficiently to allow for optimum viewing at closer range than when that chart was made?, and do your new reccomendations of 50" at 3m hold true when watching standard def?

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="rigadig"]

[quote user="Andrew Everard"]IMHO yes, at that distance 42 minimum, and a 50 would be much better.[/quote]

The sticky thread at the top of this forum (http://whathifi.com/forums/t/77.aspx) suggests a 32" maximum for between a 2.5m and 3.5m viewing distance. It also says that you should be about 4m away when watching a screen bigger than 42".

Is that thread no longer correct? has the quality of newer TVs changed sufficiently to allow for optimum viewing at closer range than when that chart was made?, and do your new reccomendations of 50" at 3m hold true when watching standard def?

[/quote]

From what I saw at lunch, that sticky would seem to be right (to my eyes).

I went in to to the Panasonic store who had both the 42PX80 and 37PX80 set up side by side, identical settings [Eco mode], showing BBC1. Although obviously smaller, the picture clarity on the 37" at my (guessed) viewing distance of about 3m was considerably better. The 42" got as good about 1-2 meters further back - I'd say about 4.5-5 metres. At these distances, the pictures on both sets were identically superb, which was pleasing! I think, therefore, I'm going to opt for the 37" which will save me a bit of cash too.

I also checked out Cinema mode on the 37" which I think I'm going to like [in the dark, anyway]!

I suppose, to have the same clarity at 3m on a 42" set, I'd need to go up to a full-HD, like the 42PZ80 or 42PZ85.

 

[Anonymous]

I would go with the 37" from about 3m away. Some on here will say otherwise, but if you are happy with the 37" go with it. I think you can get swamped with a giant sceen in your living room.

 

[FuzzyinLondon]

The important thing is that you've actually been into the store to have a look at which tv and size you would be happy with. I don't think anyone would argue with your choice. A full HD set would not necessarily give a clearer picture with standard definition material. Often it can be worse. It comes down to the quality of the processing in the set. To have the same clarity at that distance you should have a look at the Pioneer 42" set. Also, although I haven't seen it for myself, I've heard that the standard picture on the 42PZ85 is very good.

 

[professorhat]

I think you've hit the nail on the head there "Very Annoyed". If you like watching your 37" TV from 4m away, go for it. If you prefer watching a 60" TV from 2m away, all is good. A guide is just a guide!

 

[Anonymous]

At the end of the day, you have to go with what you like, and are happy with. Go with your gut instinct is always my advice. If we all wanted the same, then the world would be very un-interesting

 

[Andrew Everard]

[quote user="rigadig"]

The sticky thread at the top of this forum (http://whathifi.com/forums/t/77.aspx) suggests a 32" maximum for between a 2.5m and 3.5m viewing distance. It also says that you should be about 4m away when watching a screen bigger than 42".

Is that thread no longer correct? has the quality of newer TVs changed sufficiently to allow for optimum viewing at closer range than when that chart was made?, and do your new reccomendations of 50" at 3m hold true when watching standard def?

[/quote]

No it still holds. Hence the IMHO in my post