Does everything need to be in High def?

ja2935 · 01-04-2007, 08:58 PM

Surely simple geometry means that the angle of view is the same for both so assuming identical resolution (pixel count) the relative pixel size is going to be the same. It may therefore come down to eyesight at the chosen viewing distance!

**bruceames** · 01-04-2007, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ja2935

It may therefore come down to eyesight at the chosen viewing distance!

I hadn't thought of that, good point.

borromini · 01-04-2007, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruceames

...Would a viewer notice more detail on setup B over setup A? (display quality is assumed to be equal, the only difference is size)

Setup A) a 27" display viewed 54" away

Setup B) a 65" display viewed 130" away

As the previous poster mentioned...if you use the same ratio of distance to display size, the amount of detail in both setups should, in theory, be identical as long as both displays have equal resolution.

However, I'm still trying to understand what it actually is that you're trying to resolve with your question in relationship to my initial post. Maybe I made a mistake in assuming that it's automatically clear why one would want a front projector in a living room environment. If that's the case then I screwed up by not clarifying that and I apologize.

In a typical living/family room, if one is interested in creating an immersive experience similar to that of a cinema theater, you would need to establish a distance-to-display size ratio that is also similar. It doesn't do any good to maintain a 2:1 ratio as you increase the display size. You want to maintain your typical living room seating distance while increasing the display size such that it reaches but never exceeds the limit of your field of vision. This is something that would be awkward to do with a 50" to 60" display unless you don't mind sitting 4' or closer.

It's roughly at this point that upconverted SD material shows it's limitation with any equipment of the HD-XA1's caliber. It is obvious that if I pick up my chair, that is now no more than 8' away and keep moving it back, those upconverted artifacts will eventually disappear. But then what's the point of that if I lose the immersive quality I seek? That's why HD-DVD and BD is so compelling to front projector owners.

**bruceames** · 01-04-2007, 09:57 PM

Thanks again. The main motivation for me bringing up the issue is sort of to "defend" the smaller displays, as I don't wish to discouraging those from buying into HDTV simply because their situation prohibits them from employing a large display. I think that as HDTV becomes the norm, that the average display size will probably be around 32", and as long as one doesn't sit (much) further away than a 2:1 ratio, then they will appreciate the difference that HD will bring.

I would like to have the pleasure of viewing a large display (I have a 52" RP LCD in my bedroom, viewed about 100" away), like a front projector, from close range (1:1) to see what that would add to my HD enjoyment, and how much SD DVD would suffer in comparison.

borromini · 01-04-2007, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruceames

...I think that as HDTV becomes the norm, that the average display size will probably be around 32", and as long as one doesn't sit (much) further away than a 2:1 ratio, then they will appreciate the difference that HD will bring...

I'm personally hoping that it's much larger...closer to 50", because as HDTVs do truly become the norm, 1080p will likely be the common or most targeted resolution and 32" would be rather small for that. This is because with 1080p...a 2:1 ratio is not ideal in size to distance. You want to try to get closer to 1.6:1 ratio because that's what 1080p affords.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruceames

...I would like to have the pleasure of viewing a large display (I have a 52" RP LCD in my bedroom, viewed about 100" away), like a front projector, from close range (1:1) to see what that would add to my HD enjoyment, and how much SD DVD would suffer in comparison.

I'm guessing you'd go ape over such a setup. Any time you're having lunch on the Peninsula, give me a PM and I'll see if I can arrange a demo at my house.

BobY · 01-04-2007, 10:18 PM

Nothing will ever touch front projectors for creating the theater experience. Even if you sit close enough to a 60" panel so it fills your field of view, you will be physically aware that you are sitting pretty close to the panel, which is totally unlike the sensation of being in a big room, sitting far away from a really big screen.

While I'm a strong supporter of Plasmas, my first and true choice for the ultimate system would be a front projector, but practical reality is that's not going to happen in my house...

borromini · 01-04-2007, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobY

...my first and true choice for the ultimate system would be a front projector, but practical reality is that's not going to happen in my house...

Yup, that's the unfortunate reality with most avid HD viewers' homes. I'm fortunate to have an extra living room that works well with FPs...otherwise I'd go nuts knowing now what I've experienced.

I WUV HD · 01-04-2007, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobY

Nothing will ever touch front projectors for creating the theater experience. Even if you sit close enough to a 60" panel so it fills your field of view, you will be physically aware that you are sitting pretty close to the panel, which is totally unlike the sensation of being in a big room, sitting far away from a really big screen.

While I'm a strong supporter of Plasmas, my first and true choice for the ultimate system would be a front projector, but practical reality is that's not going to happen in my house...

Agree 100%.

**bruceames** · 01-05-2007, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by borromini

I'm guessing you'd go ape over such a setup. Any time you're having lunch on the Peninsula, give me a PM and I'll see if I can arrange a demo at my house.

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.

HiRezMat · 01-09-2007, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyJames

Sure, I'll enjoy the experience better if it's in HD - but at what price? I won't spend $20.00 a pop to replace every movie I own. I did that once already with VHS to DVD. It's simply too costly for me. So you choose your battles. Replace "Heat", "Pulp Fiction", and "Goodfellas", but leave "School of Rock" well enough alone. Is Jack Black running around like a jackass going to be worth $20.00 more to see him doing it in HD?

I hear you there man. I don't really care if it's a comedy or an epic like LotR. It has to be a great movie to begin with, or at least one that is great to me. I bought way too many movies on standard dvd that I watched once and never watched again, I mean lots.

Personally I will rebuy my classic favorites like Caddyshack. Sure the PQ and SQ isn't going to be a huge leap over my SDVD, but hey at least I will watch it many times in the future. I will be watching what I buy very closely on these HD-DVDs. It is hard though to not get caught up in the format and start buying movies you really don't even care all that much about.

sam9007 · 11-28-2007, 08:34 PM

I will buy Blu Ray movies on SD and HD DVD movies on HD DVD.

Thats solves it all until the war is over.

eapleitez · 11-28-2007, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmslives

I get the feeling that some people who have gone high def are now just going to be purchasing High Def DVDs from now on; no more SD. I would be interested in knowing how many of you are planning on going this route.

Personally, I see no point in paying extra to watch a comedy or a romantic movie in high def. How will that really improve my viewing experience - is Blazing Saddles more funny because it went high def? To me, the extra money I would spend to see that in high def is wasted, whereas movies like Kingdom of Heaven, Lord of the Rings, etc. would actually be improved experiences because of the high def treatment the most.

I also don't see the big deal in having extra features that are high def: does it really matter that the documentary is high def? I read one review in which the reviewer stated he was tired of having to watch the features in SD. Does that strike anyone else as being a bit too devoted to high def? Just curious.

I HATE this mentality. HD is not a action movie genre

I quit buying regular DVD over a year ago because now their is something that matches my high definition system. DVD is a waste of money now, IMO.

Lee Stewart · 11-29-2007, 03:36 AM

Sam - why are you dragging these old threads up? There is no additional info being given?

Have nothing to do?

fmw · 11-29-2007, 08:18 AM

He want's to get his commercial spam a little more widespread.

STJERNHOLM · 03-20-2008, 01:01 AM

Yes everything. Once in the tube - there is no going back. I think that even romantic comedy benefits o much. I hate watching DVD`s now, and are totally aware that I am watching SD material. Facial features and definition just dissapears. That said, bad movie does not become a better movie in HD. Old favorites gets new life and new life is always brought into the sound.

Enjoy your HD movies!

01-04-2007, 08:58 PM	#76
ja2935 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,034	Surely simple geometry means that the angle of view is the same for both so assuming identical resolution (pixel count) the relative pixel size is going to be the same. It may therefore come down to eyesight at the chosen viewing distance! __________________ Toshiba 34HF84 Comcast Motorola DCT 3416 (all digital), Component/Fiber Optic Toshiba SD4900 (Region Free), Component/Digital Coax Toshiba HD-A2, HDMI/Fiber Optic Yamaha YHT-160 Home Theater System

03-20-2008, 01:01 AM	#90
STJERNHOLM Soundman Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Denmark Posts: 68	Yes everything. Once in the tube - there is no going back. I think that even romantic comedy benefits o much. I hate watching DVD`s now, and are totally aware that I am watching SD material. Facial features and definition just dissapears. That said, bad movie does not become a better movie in HD. Old favorites gets new life and new life is always brought into the sound. Enjoy your HD movies! __________________ Regards, M.Stjernholm, Home Theater Nerd, Sound Designer & Mixer Mitsubishi HC-5000 HD,Steward 107" sceeen, Bravia 46" KDL-46W3000,Denon A1HD Preamp, Denon 2500BT Transport BD Player,Toshiba HD-XE1 HD DVD Player, Alesis RA-150,Mackie HR824 mk2 THX(LR), Mackie HR626 THX(C), mackie HR624(LsRs), M-Audio LX-4 (Cs) Genelec 7071A(LFE),SAMSUNG HD cabletv, Apple TV,WII, PS3. ..Say NO! to anything but lossless audio on HD discs! ..

01-04-2007, 09:57 PM	#79
bruceames Moderator Join Date: May 2006 Location: San Rafael, CA Posts: 10,170	Thanks again. The main motivation for me bringing up the issue is sort of to "defend" the smaller displays, as I don't wish to discouraging those from buying into HDTV simply because their situation prohibits them from employing a large display. I think that as HDTV becomes the norm, that the average display size will probably be around 32", and as long as one doesn't sit (much) further away than a 2:1 ratio, then they will appreciate the difference that HD will bring. I would like to have the pleasure of viewing a large display (I have a 52" RP LCD in my bedroom, viewed about 100" away), like a front projector, from close range (1:1) to see what that would add to my HD enjoyment, and how much SD DVD would suffer in comparison.

01-04-2007, 10:18 PM	#81
BobY What's all this, then?... Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,197	Nothing will ever touch front projectors for creating the theater experience. Even if you sit close enough to a 60" panel so it fills your field of view, you will be physically aware that you are sitting pretty close to the panel, which is totally unlike the sensation of being in a big room, sitting far away from a really big screen. While I'm a strong supporter of Plasmas, my first and true choice for the ultimate system would be a front projector, but practical reality is that's not going to happen in my house...

11-28-2007, 08:34 PM	#86
sam9007 HD DVD is very nice. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 218	I will buy Blu Ray movies on SD and HD DVD movies on HD DVD. Thats solves it all until the war is over.

11-29-2007, 03:36 AM	#88
Lee Stewart Behold - the future! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Albuquerque, NM Age: 58 Posts: 25,193	Sam - why are you dragging these old threads up? There is no additional info being given? Have nothing to do?

11-29-2007, 08:18 AM	#89
fmw High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 946	He want's to get his commercial spam a little more widespread.