I’ve read various articles debating the importance of the 1080p. I want to set the record straight once and for all: if you are serious about properly setting up your viewing room, you will definitely benefit from 1080p (and even 1440p.) Why? Because the 1080p resolution is the first to deliver enough detail to your eyeball when you are seated at the proper distance from the screen. But don’t just take my word for it: read on for the proof.
There are a few obvious factors to being able to detect resolution differences: the resolution of the screen, the size of the screen, and the viewing distance. To be able to detect differences between resolutions, the screen must be large enough and you must sit close enough. So the question becomes “How do I know if need a higher resolution or not?”. Here is your answer.
Based on the resolving ability of the human eye, it is possible to estimate when the differences between resolutions will become apparent. A person with 20/20 vision can resolve 60 pixels per degree, which corresponds to recognizing the letter “E” on the 20/20 line of a Snellen eye chart from 20 feet away. Using the Home Theater Calculator spreadsheet as a base, I created a chart showing, for any given screen size, how close you need to sit to be able to detect some or all of the benefits of a higher resolution screen. (Click the picture below for a larger version.)
What the chart shows is that, for a 50-inch screen, the benefits of 720p vs. 480p start to become apparent at viewing distances closer than 14.6 feet and become fully apparent at 9.8 feet. For the same screen size, the benefits of 1080p vs. 720p start to become apparent when closer than 9.8 feet and become full apparent at 6.5 feet. In my opinion, 6.5 feet is closer than most people will sit to their 50″ plasma TV (even through the THX recommended viewing distance for a 50″ screen is 5.6 ft). So, most consumers will not be able to see the full benefit of their 1080p TV.
However, front projectors and rear projection displays are a different story. They make it very easy to obtain large screen sizes. Plus, LCD and Plasma displays are constantly getting larger and less expensive. In my home, for example, I have a 123-inch screen and a projector with a 1280×720 resolution. For a 123-inch screen, the benefits of 720p vs. 480p starts to become apparent at viewing distances closer than 36 feet (14 feet behind my back wall) and become fully apparent at 24 feet (2 feet behind my back wall). For the same screen size, the benefits of 1080p vs. 720p start to become apparent when closer than 24 feet and become full apparent at 16 feet (just between the first and second row of seating in my theater). This means that people in the back row of my home theater would see some improvement if I purchased a 1080p projector and that people in the front row would notice a drastic improvement. (Note: the THX recommended max viewing distance for a 123″ screen is 13.7 feet).
So, how close should you be sitting to your TV? Obviously, you need to look at your room and see what makes sense for how you will be using it. If you have a dedicated viewing room and can place seating anywhere you want, you can use this chart as a guideline. It’s based on THX and SMPTE specifications for movie theaters; the details are available in the Home Theater Calculator spreadsheet.
Looking at this chart, it is apparent that 1080p is the lowest resolution to fall within the recommended seating distance range. Any resolution less than 1080p is not detailed enough if you are sitting the proper distance from the screen. For me and many people with large projection screens, 1080p is the minimum resolution you’d want.
In fact, you could probably even benefit from 1440p. If you haven’t heard of 1440p, you will. Here’s a link to some info on Audioholics.com. It is part of the HDMI 1.3 spec, along with 48-bit color depth, and will probably surface for the public in 2009 or so. You’ll partially be able to see the benefits of 1440p at the THX Max Recommended viewing distance and the resolution benefits will be fully apparent if you are just a little closer. I’ve read of plans for resolutions reaching 2160p but I don’t see any benefit; you’d have to sit too darn close to the screen to notice any improvement. If you sit too close, you can’t see the far edges of the screen.
In conclusion
If you are a videophile with a properly setup viewing room, you should definitely be able to notice the resolution enhancement that 1080p brings. However, if you are an average consumer with a flat panel on the far wall of your family room, you are not likely to be close enough to notice any advantage. Check the chart above and use that to make your decision.
ISF states the the most important aspects of picture quality are (in order): 1) contrast ratio, 2) color saturation, 3) color accuracy, 4) resolution. Resolution is 4th on the list and plasma is generally superior to LCD in all of the other areas (but much more prone to reflections/glare.) So pick your display size, then measure your seating distance, and then use the charts above to figure out if you would benefit from the larger screen size. So be sure to calibrate your screen! I recommend the following for calibration.
Recommended Calibration Tools
- Disney WOW: World of Wonder Blu-ray
- Disney WOW: World of Wonder DVD
- Alternative options:
- DVD: Digital Video Essentials (the original calibration disc dating back to the 1990s)
- Blu-ray: Spears & Munsil High-Def Benchmark Disc (my favorite but hard to find)
- Blu-ray: Digital Video Essentials: HD Basics (an update to the original, but I don’t like it as well)
- Automatic Hardware Calibrator: Datacolor Spyder 3
“I don’t like reading charts – just tell me what resolution I need”
If you don’t like reading charts and are looking for a quick answer, enter you screen size below to see how close you’ll need to sit to fully appreciate various screen resolutions.
Note about “or closer” viewing distances calculated above: if you sit closer than the distances shown above, you will be able to see some (but not all) of the detail offered by the next higher resolution.
another question if you have time, in the description is says,
“The proprietary Hitachi VirtualHD 1080p video processor de-interlaces 1080i programs to provide as much detail as possible for a clear, sharp image. HitachiÕs dynamic histogram processing delivers improved contrast, color and sharpness while reducing noise to a minimum. Each video frame is processed as a digital still image in real time with an astounding 68-billion color capability to produce the best final on-screen image.”
Am interpreting it correctly that the tv does not accept 1080p but 1080i and only simulates 1080p by de-interlacing the 1080i signal.
Also fyi we will be watching the tv from within 10 feet.
Thanks again for giving your time to answer my questions.
i see you answered a similar question earlier
“This was not really intended to be a comparison between scan rates (1080i vs. 1080p) but rather a comparison of resolutions. Since virtually no display capable of 1920×1080 is analog, the image they produce is always progressive 1080p even if the source is not. The question is whether or not the deinterlacer in the video processor is capable of converting 1080i to the display-native 1080p without negative side-effects. The one exception is film-based material presented at 1080i — it can be perfectly converted to 1080p if the video processor is capable of 2:3 pulldown (because film-based material is a 24 frames per second). So, if the video processor is capable, the display can project a near-perfect 1080p signal from a 1080i source for film-based material. Obviously, the latest generation gaming consoles, computers, and HD-DVD players can produce 1080p perfectly as well.”
Hi carlton, great info there m8 and just a quick question. Is 7-8 feet perfectly ok for viewing 720p on a 42″ plasma. I see your charts say so but i keep reading that people should sit 15 feet from one. Is this true? I only ask because i don’t have any problems viewing my 360 from this distance set to the native res of the televison set.
Hey Carlton,
Thanks for all the hard work. Very interested in the upcoming pioneer plasmas. You left a link farther up in one of your posts, but the link for the upcoming pioneer models doesn’t seem to work. Can you try again??
Thanks…
Adam
Sorry, I messed-up the HTML code – it’s fixed now:
You can read about the upcoming Pioneer plasmas here and the new Panasonic plasmas here.
Carlton,
I agree with your response in post #78. Well said. However, some HDTVs have poor de-interlacers and some DVD players have excellent de-interlacers. In that particular case, it would be an advantage to have a progressive scan DVD player. Would you agree with that supposition?
(Last attempt at this.)
Hi Carlton,
Great site! I’m researching HD options now in anticipation of a purchase late this year (see what the boxing day ’07 sales are like) so I have lots of time to wait out the new models and do my homework.
What I have now is an RCA 56″ SD rearproj set. It’s a good set that I use for satellite, DVD and gaming (xbox360). I don’t anticipate using a PC with my home setup… even though that Linux MCE looks kinda interesting, I don’t think I’d play with it that much (rather go for a component DVD/HDD recorder, I think). Seating is currently about 8′ and the set faces a huge bay window – which makes viewing during the day all but impossible. No problems with eyeballs in the family.
I’m about to embark on some renovations to the living room that will allow me to rotate the set 90deg and place it at the end of the room (where there is currently a fireplace). The end is a rather darkened alcove that should give the set all the shade it would need (and more can be had by darkening the windows during the day, if desired). The problem is that the viewing distance will double to about 16′ (from wall to couch potatoe). The width of that area is about 114″.
I was thinking of the plasma displays, but anything larger that 65″ is rather pricey at this time. I was looking at LCD and plasma displays at BB last weekend and came away unimpressed by the quality of the LCD panels – the picture looks “dirty” with the blockiness and pixelization going on. Comparitively, the plasma was producing a beautiful picture.
I don’t really need to care about the thickness of the set where it’ll be setup – in fact, a RPTV might actually be desirable since it’ll bring the picture a little closer to the seating. While at BB I also looked at the Sony 71″ RPTV – a pretty nice pic from an LCD display unit. This weekend, I had a chance to look over an Epson 1080 projector on a 96″ grey screen at the local audio shop. Very impressed with the output from this LCD projector (puzzled why LCD projectors – both front and rear – produce nicer looking pictures than LCD panels). The unit gets a fair bit of use though as the daily tube, so bulb replacement might become an issue.
Anyway, those are my thoughts so far. I was reading your site and came across this article and have a few points to question. From the chart, it seems clear that unless I go for a 96″ or larger screen, there’s no point in me buying a 1080 display. It also suggests that my current 56″ set, viewed from 16′, will look the same (really?) as a 720p or 1080p display. Further, it suggests that only 720p in a 60″ or larger (of the currently available and affordably priced flat panel sets) will be of any benefit for that seating distance. But I’m confused since 1080 lines vs 720 lines gives you 360 extra lines of light being created by the set and sent to your eyes. Even if you couldn’t see the specific details of those extra 320 lines, they’re still there filling in the gaps between the original 720 lines and that light (which is extra information) is still reaching your eyes. So, I’m puzzled as to why there would be no noticeable difference in the perceived picture when 1080 is offering 1.5 times the resolution of 720.
In a nutshell… just looking for some clarification/correction/confirmation of the above (I think it’s what everyone struggles with at first in this game) and some direction as to what to consider in terms of screen size, resolution, display type, given my viewing requirements. I don’t mind picking up a better set *now* (even if 1080p is not widely available now, it will be eventually) to avoid having to buy another set in a couple of years (unless there’s a compelling reason to buy now and upgrade in a couple of years).
JonE: Think of it this way – if you look at the house across the street and see that they are watching TV, can you tell what show they are watching? Maybe. But can you tell if it is 480p, 720p, or 1080p? No, definitely not. You’re too far away. The extra line of a high definition picture may be there, but they blur together so that you can’t distinguish them – unless you get out your binoculars and that would be creepy. 🙂
I’d recommend picking a display based on your room. It sounds like you have lots of light, which makes front projection and plasma less attractive. You really need total darkness to get the benefits of these technologies. In my opinion, rear projection gives the best bang for the buck in most rooms but a LCD flat panel is much smaller and less imposing. With the screen sizes and seating distance you’re considering, 1080p would be of marginal benefit. But be sure to look at other features (inputs, brightness, etc.) and you may find that the sets that interest you are only the new versions that are only available as 1080p.
what about pixel pitch? If you have 2 monitors – one 21″ and one 47″ – but both have the same number of pixels, how does that effect the calculation? What about 2 1920×1080 monitors that are the same size, but one has a closer pixel pitch with bigger pixels?
Jason: According to wikipedia dot/pixel pitch is a measure of the size of a triad plus the distance between the triads. I think what you mean is pixel gap, aka fill factor, aka “the screen door effect.” It’s possible to run the math to figure out how big the gap must be for it to become apparent at a certain distance. Contrast has a huge impact, as noted above in the “extremely tiny star visible in sky” comment above. For displays, a totally white image is going to make the black “screen door” between pixels much more apparent. That’s the only time I can see them on my 123″ Sony LCD projector at 10′.
Reply: Bob Cook
NEW TECNOLOGY TV’S GIVE US FULL-HD 1080P PICTURE FROM PREMIUM MOVIE CHANNELS (like HBO).
HBO, and other premium movie channels now produce a Full-HD 1080p [1080 progressive lines 1,2,3,4,5,6…1080] media source. But for transmission to our homes Media is interlaced (sliced electronically) to two 1080i pages, two odd and even numbered ‘540 line’ pages.
Page 1, lines# 1,3,5…1079, and then Page 2, lines# 2,4,6…1080 are transmirred to our homes separately.
Then the latest 1080p HDTVs accurately de-interlace (put together) the two odd and even numbered 540 line pages to reproduce the “exact” original 1080p progressive, 1,2,3,4,5,6…1080 line, page on the screen.
True Full-HD 1080p movies result; so HDTV movie channels can look like Blu-ray DVDs [lcd-bob]
Hi Carlton,
I bought a 40xbr2 (1080p) which i will get deliver in my new home in end of june. I was checking the distance for my viewing distance. it should be around 7feet 1/2 and 8feet. i was wondering if i should change for the 46v25000 (1080p non xbr) at the same price because i’m afraid that when i look at 1080p source like ps3 gaming or high definition dvd i wont see the difference compared to 1080i source fro hdtv signal. what would you do?
thanks
Giuseppe: I’d always recommend going with the larger screen vs. a smaller one, especially at 1080p resolutions. It fills your field of view much better. The non-XBR Sonys use the exact same panels as the XBR models, so you’re only getting marginally better electronics in the XBR; I’d personally go with the non-XBR model and save the money (or get a Mitsubishi LT46-131 if you can find it.)
I am considering a JVC with 1080p resolution and contrast at only 1200:1 or a sony bravia with 5000:1 contrast but not that high of resolution. Both tvs are 46 inch LCD models. My question, is contrast really worth giving up the higher resolution?
thanks
I have a problem trusting the published contrast ratios because I don’t think they translate into real world viewing advantages. I suggest a side-by-side comparison to see which your eyes like the best.
Great reference. What about recommended viewing distance for 1080i plasma TV? Is it similar to 1080p or more closer to 720p?
Hi,
Are there any charts which show the distance you have to sit from various screen sizes to fill your entire field of vision like at the cinema, or is that only really practical in the really big screen sizes like those for projectors?
Jonathan: All digital displays show 1080p, regardless of whether the input signal is 1080i or 1080p. Digital displays can’t display interlaced. The only side effect by be up-conversion artifacts. So 1080i would be the same as 1080p (exact same number of pixels.)
Peter: THX recommends that the screen take up at least 36 degrees of your field-of-view. To see how close you’d have to sit to a screen of a given size, check out my Home Theater Calculator.
Carlton: Thanks. 🙂
Sure, there’s a difference, but that does not apply for many situations, which is why many arguments are poping up.
For anybody looking for 40” or less (well, lets say 32) it doesn’t matter, much. Only a tiny bit of details are detected.
Second, there are no avalible 1080p sources that are even worth buying. By time 1080p sources ARE avalible, it’ll be MUCH cheaper, black levels will be excellent, and most channels will be broadcasted in it.
I’d say get a cheap, starter, 720p HDTV for now. It’s smarter
I read many articles that really don’t have a clear idea of the benefits of 1080p TVs and your article does a great job of setting the record straight.
My husband is refinishing our basement and wants to put in theater seating (two rows). He said he wants to get a 100inch (diagonal) screen. My question is how close is too close. The room is somewhat small…the farthest row will be about 13-14 feet away from the screen which will make the first row about 7 feet away….is this too close? I think he is getting a 720 but might hold out and get the 1080 (I am not really sure what all of the values mean…and he is having trouble finding the time to expain the distance thing). So if anyone could let me know how close is too close that would be great!!
Thanks.
Kari
Hi, been reading the threads with interest.
I am about to plunge into buying a HDTV, and I was seeking advise on which model to get.
I have narrowed my search down to the following three:
55″ Hitachi 55PD9700 55in Plasma TV (720p)
50″ Phillips 50PF7521D (720p)
52″ Sharp 52XD1E LCD (1080p)
I will be seating approx 10feet away from screen, will be hooking up PS3, but also want to hook up to PC via DVI to play Blueray, and HD-DVD from my pc using powerdvd.
My question is, given my viewing distance, and uses, would I be best getting a 720p tv or a 1080p tv. Would I be able to see significant difference between the two???
Thanks
I would like to point out that although in some cases 1080 will be overkill as far as resolution, HD DVD and Blu-Ray will be native 1080 and to avoid any scaling, I would lean toward a 1080 display regardless of distance to the screen. Scaling is the biggest threat to a great display. I would go as far as to say that in some circumstances, poor scaling from 1080 to a 720 display may cause noticable resolution artifacting even if the distance to the screen only dictates a 720 display is necessary. This may not be the case all the time, but none-the-less, 1 to 1 pixel mapping is always king. Buy the 1080 display if you watch mostly movies. If you are a big sports nut, it depends on whether you watch a lot of 720P (Monday night Football) or a lot of 1080 broadcasts. A year ago, I would have said 720P was the better format simply because it is progressive… interlace is just plain stupid and is only with us because archaic technical compromises. With the emergence of 1080P and better compression, I think we might see 1080P as the winner over the next 4 or 5 years. I personally wouldn’t invest in 720P (can’t believe I’m saying this now) unless I saw it as a short term solution. Long term, money aside, why wouldn’t you invest in the most pixels? Just my opinions… sure this will stir the pot! Jason
Hi
I too the plunge and purchased the 52″ Sharp 52XD1E LCD (1080p)
The set looks great when hooked up to PC and viewing blueray and hd content.
However, I have not got a hd tv source yet, so just have it hooked up to std cable.
When viewing std tv, films especially, I notice that the picture seems to judder alot. It is very noticable on people’s faces.
Can anyone give me any advice?? is this normal for a 1080p tv displaying std tv??, or is the tv faulty?? Should I send it back??
Thanks in advance.
That’s the thing with High Def displays… Standard Def material looks like junk. It’s pretty universal. Some displays show SD material better than others, but the best display I’ve seen lately (Sony BRD?)looked absolutely PERFECT in HD, then I saw a SD dvd on it and it stunk. Hang in there, it won’t be long before SD sources will be hard to find. By the way, I’ve seen Sharps displays and they are great. Congratulations! J
Easily the most informative site out there, Carlton, and none of those “I’m smarter than you” posts that frequent forums. I’ve learned a lot from it.
There were a couple of unresolved questions earlier in the thread about 40″ panels and whether the jump to 1080p would be worth it. I ‘just’ fit around the viewing range where I will be anywhere from 5’3″ to 9’9″ (the latter is back into 720p territory per the chart.
So it is worth the extra cash when the 1080p Samsung M8 would is at the top of my budget (although the better contrast ratio of 15000:1 gives seriously good blacks over other screens in the store)
I’m thinking its might be more psychological than anything – If I’m shelling out for Blu-ray discs(which are a lot more expensive in Australia) then I’d want to know that all the resolution I’ve paid for is visible on the screen, even if I can’t tell!
But 40″ is really on that cusp of the extra detail not mattering in nearly every circumstance. Any opinions to help me on this one?
Hey Ben,
You can never go wrong with a 1080P set, the question is really around budget and whether you should get a smaller high-resolution set or a larger lower-resolution set. The newest 1080p panels have other benefits aside from the resolution, such as the contrast ratio that you mentioned. That can affect picture quality more than resolution. I’d say your best bet is probably a new 1080p model, but look at a 720p model the next screen size up. As engine guys say, there’s no replacement for displacement (i.e. as long as it fits, your screen can never be too large.)
Thanks for the advice Carlton. 1080p it will be.
Hey Carl…just wanted to thank you for the site…I work at a Home Theater store, and needed a better way to explain that rez and contrast wasn’t everything…This site, is perfect and now I refer all my customers here to see it. On a side note, I, myself, am considering to get the Sony SXRD VPL-VW50 front projector for my basement. Seeing as how you are clearly more educated than me, I would love you input. I will be sitting away anywhere from 10-15ft away from my 106″ screen.
Also, I was told from my installers that HDMI cannot carry a true 1080p rez past 13ft, and due to my 25ft cables needed for my projectors, it may be worthless…?
All I can say is that the picture will beat my current ED 720p/480p projector…but is it worth the drastic change?
The screen-size versus viewing-distance charts are great. Is there comparable research for “personal viewers”; the displays that you wear like glasses. These are typically QVGA today (320×240), but what would perfect resolution be for a display that is only an inch or so from your eye (“perfect” meaning any incremental improvements in resolution are not detectable)?
Rob, I’ve never looked into the video glasses and their apparent output. For something that small at such a close distance pixel gap would probable be more of a factor. Something else to consider is the holographic effect those glasses use: the focus distance isn’t 1/2″ from your eyes (most people couldn’t focus on that) but rather it appears to be several inches in front of you eye. But other than that, it would be pretty much the same calculations. You can play around with my Home Theater Calculator spreadsheet and see what numbers it gives.
Sharps” 46d92u Has GREAT black levels. Has a 120mz instead of 60 and a 4 ms time.
This set can be purchased for $2000 +s/h on the web.
I looked at Samsung and Sony. Pic better on Samsung but may see ghosting since it is slower. Both look better (to me) then sony
Lets say your viewing distance is at 12 feet…and you are viewing a 60″ display in 1080p. Would there be any considerable difference between a 1080p set and a 768p set? I understand that the 768p set would have to scale down to its resolution. Since it is scaling down, would that factor affect the detail of the picture?
I just purchased (June 23, 2007) a complete Home Audio system for our new Master bedroom addition (550 sq ft). The television is a 50″ Plasma Panasonic TH-50PZ700U. After reading all of the threads, I’m not sure if I chose the right model. Our viewing distance is exactly 18′.2″ away. We will mostly be watching regular tv programming, HD tv and movies on the weekend only. What would be the best size and resolution to buy? Should I just purchase a 720P bigger tv or what? I don’t have Brad Pitt’s money, but if I need to, I could afford to buy a larger plasma (if necessary). All the product is still at the store waiting to be delivered on July 9th, when installers will be in our bedrrom for about 7.5 hrs. So, I still have time to exchange the tv if I need to. I’m already into this at $9,077.00. My original budget was $10K. I’d appreciate some help ASAP!
Thanks
Pepper: Look at the second chart above. If you’re 18′ away, you’d need a 90″ screen to benefit from 720p. Since you’re watching mostly standard definition TV anyway, there is no need to go for 1080p. Go for the biggest screen that fits your room and your budget. If you have a lot of windows in the room and will be watching when it is daylight outside, consider blackout shades or an LCD instead of the plasma. Plasmas have great picture quality but are terrible for reflections (due to the shiny glass front panel.)
Hey great site just found it from a link at the avs forums.
I would greatly appreciate some advice.
I’m torn between the Samsung hpt 4254 42 inch 720p plasma and the Samsung lnt 4066f 1080 p 40 inch LCD.
I will be playing X box alot and watch channels with static images ( like sportcenter or basketball were they constantly have the score up).
Sorry ^^
So I’m concerned about burn in and the high matenance required to avoid it.
With the LCD I worry about blurring while gaming although the guys at avs who have this LCD said i would be ok (8m)
I’ve read that Plasmas offer better PQ. So what is going to be better the 42 720p Plasma or the 40 1080p lCD.
BTW I will be sitting 6 – 7.5 feet from the panel.
This is my first hdtv and all this info is a bit overwhelming….Thanks again
Ron: See this post about picking between LCD, Plasma, or Projection.
Carlton, first very informative thread here.
My wife and just upgraded to a Panasonic – 50″ Flat-Panel Plasma HDTV (720p) for our living room. It was gift from Best Buy with the ability to return. We watch regular TV mostly (lots of sports) and about 2 movies a month, no CPU or game stations will ever be used. The main viewing couch is approximately 9 feet with other sofas further than this. We just ordered HD from our cable provider. The 1080p version of our set is an additional $1,400. As we were told by the installer, nothing is delivered in 1080p as it is to bandwidth intensive, since this and the fact that we neither rent HD DVD rentals this should be a good fit for us.
My concern is this as I am hoping this TV last at least 4 or more years, at what point will the 1080p technology arrive? and with my current distance ect. should I stay with the 50″ 720p? I appreciate anyones insight!