new tv questions

[BlackAdder]

Hi All,
We are considering a new larger flat screen LCD tv, is there a " correct " size of screen to buy so you do not see any bars at the top and sides of the screen while watching HD programing ?? Or is it more like the correct resolution and aspect ratio ?? 1080 * 1020 resolution and 16 to 9 aspect ratio ? What is the magic formula ??

Thanks guys !!

[Ramjet]

I believe resolution would be more of a concern than aspect ratio. Almost everything I have, has a choice of multiple aspect ratios on the remote allowing you to choose what looks the best for what ever source you are watching. If people look squashed or stretched on the screen, you can pick a different aspect until you find one that looks right. Here is some info that might be helpful in choosing a screen size and resolution. It clarifies the difference between standard, enhanced, and high definition. Hope this helps. :icon_wink:

http://static.tigerdirect.com/pdf/bluraydisc.pdf

[liuqyn]

and as for the black bars, your not really going to get away from them unless you like squashed or stretched people as there are many different aspect ratios they shoot with. but most HDTVs come in the 16x9 category anyway.

[AMDave]

Try this article about aspect ratio:
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-7608_7-1016109-4.html#calculator

This is a great article about resolution:
http://www.cnet.com/hdtv-resolution/

BlackAdder, your local FCC public information is here
http://www.fcc.gov/dtv/

There's some helpful stuff there in the documents. You should be able to free-call your local or favorite TV broadcaster and they should be able to advise you of the best aspect ratio to view their broadcast.

A 16:9 is what you want with as much resolution as you can get for the size that fits your viewing area with eye-comfort.

To explain: Initially we went into the store and saw these huge screens, but when you sit in front of them you have to be 4 to 6 meters away. Measure that out on the floor of your lounge-room and you'll see that is a long way. If the screen is too large for your viewing distance your eyes will flick from side-to-side to capture the movement on the screen and you may suffer eye-strain and headaches and even nausia. The most common distance is about 2.5 to 3 metres, so you should look at the size of the screen accordingly (easier to get the right size screen for viewing comfort than to knock down the wall to move the chairs and sofa back further ;P ) At about 2.5 to 3 meters, you may find that an 80cm (31.5 inch) diagonal screen fits the comfort-bill and the budget. once you have nailed down those dimensions then you go for the features, like contrast, faster refresh, higher resolution, built-in HDTV tuner, etc. as the budget allows.

We have a few DTV and HDTV channels here in 16:9 aspect-ratio so it means that we can see the whole picture. We still have 4:3 DTV and Analog channels which we can view on the same set through the built-in tuner and if you don't like the black areas you can change the screen shape using the remote control by zoom (so that you lose some of the top and bottom) or by stretch (people look a bit wider than usual) so that the black bars disappear. The black bars don't bug me and I like to see people and things in normal aspect ratio. But what you are after is out there on the shelf waiting for you. Make sure you haggle :D

/ed - once you have selected you weapon of choice, if you have time at the store get them to show which sockets go to the stereo and which go to the DVD-VCR. We found the User Manuals to be really poor and there's often a lot of sockets on the back of a HDTV. GREAT for Playstation and XBox games though! -ed/

[BlackAdder]

Thanks guys... that reinforces what I was thinking. Now it's time to shop !!:)