HD viewing advice please

[granorpio]

Has anyone got one of these, Acer P243W and is it any good???

Currently running a Samsung SyncMaster2232BW (22" @ 1680x1050) which is great, but looking towards playing Blu-Ray, so presumably, despite the Samsung being HDCP ready is it worth the expense of changing it with a 24" @ 1920x1200 to achieve the full HD benefits?

Is there really any huge difference in the picture quality of HD between the two resolutions other than obviously viewing size?

 

[HardwareGuru]

Not really, when it comes to HD movies. I mean yeah you're not seeing the full 1080P resolution on a 22" LCD but, the 22" LCD is small that when you display an HD movie on the 22" 1680 x 1050 res LCD, it still looks clear. 22", 24" is not a big screen size sooo... it's not something you will really notice. It's definitely not as bad as displaying a standard DVD with 720 x 480 resolution and it's blown up or stretched to fit on a 22" LCD resolution.

 

[solideliquid]

What would provide a better HD experience?

Watching blu ray movies on a 24" 1080p LCD or a 26" (or 30") 720p LCD HDTV?

 

[10e]

Depends on the viewing distance.

At this size the difference in resolution can be difficult to see unless you sit fairly close (ie. within 3 feet or so).

So if you sit very close to watch the movie, the 24" 1080p/1920x1200 monitor will be sharper, but if you sit back and relax from a further distance the 26" by virtue of it's size advantage will be better.

Also, there is a difference in screen size between 26" at 16:10 vs 26" at 16:9. My 26" monitor doesn't seem as big as my friend's 26" TV, because the TV is slightly wider at this diagonal size because of the slightly different aspect ratio.


Regards,

10e

 

[albovin]

Has anyone got one of these, Acer P243W and is it any good???

Currently running a Samsung SyncMaster2232BW (22" @ 1680x1050) which is great, but looking towards playing Blu-Ray, so presumably, despite the Samsung being HDCP ready is it worth the expense of changing it with a 24" @ 1920x1200 to achieve the full HD benefits?
Is there really any huge difference in the picture quality of HD between the two resolutions other than obviously viewing size?

The difference in quality of video between 24" and 22" is clearly visible.
22" has not enough dots to display 1080p in full quality - just 1680 instead of 1920. Moreover - 22" has unproportionally larger dots that makes video even worse.

2" difference in size is also more noticable than let's say between 28" and 30".

1920x1200 resolution of the panel does not guarantee 1080p support by the monitor. Monitors are different. Low end "Full HD" monitors may or may not support 1080p due to their poor equipment and cheap electronics (image distortion or cropping, or both).
This fact is always kept secret until you buy the monitor and try to connect HD device to this cr@p.
HDMI inputs often fail to support 1080p. This is the issue even with latest models like Dell 3008, 2408, Samsung 245T, etc., etc. But for example, for the Dell 2408 it's not a problem because it has two extra digital inputs (2 DVI) that support Full HD perfectly.
If you focus on cheap bargain with HDMI input only - you can be trapped.
So, if you are interested in 1080p on your monitor you have to make sure that at least one digital input of your prospective model supports 1080p flawlessly. This info can be found in accurate tests/reviews (not those lazy articles 50/50% with advertisement) or from adequate users.
This is how monitors are tested for 1080p support.

Another point to remember: at least *VA panel is necessary for as you say "Full HD benefits".

Yes, it's worth the expense. I do not consider anything below 24" 1920x1200 for anything now, especially for Full HD.
Can you use TN panel?
Yes, but it will rather be for "Full HD deficits" than for "benefits".

 

[albovin]

What would provide a better HD experience?

Watching blu ray movies on a 24" 1080p LCD or a 26" (or 30") 720p LCD HDTV?

First of all rule out 720p TV. This is not Full HD.
1080p looks beautiful on my 720p TV until you compare it with Full HD monitor. Difference is huge. 720 may impress by the size only. But in general - 720p TV is out of scope.

24' or 26" or 30" - it depends on the quality of the monitors that varies a lot.
If you are concerned about the format only, it depends on your viewing preferences. All are excellent.
Look at this picture.
26" provides larger 1080p image.
30" provides smaller but somewhat sharper image - depends on viewing distance.
24" will be in the middle.
Another option for 30" is to stretch 1080p image to the full screen.
In this case the image will be even large than on 26" but... interpolated.
The quality of interpolation is up to the monitor and what to choose of these three (plus stretched option) - is up to you.

 

[Dogmapog]

What would provide a better HD experience?

Watching blu ray movies on a 24" 1080p LCD or a 26" (or 30") 720p LCD HDTV?

The 26-32....especially considering that a 24 is 16:10, so the image will be skinny thanks to 2:35 OAR.
Bluray will be compressed like a mofo on a 24.

 

[Dogmapog]

First of all rule out 720p TV. This is not Full HD.
1080p looks beautiful on my 720p TV until you compare it with Full HD monitor. Difference is huge. 720 may impress by the size only. But in general - 720p TV is out of scope.
.

If we're talking about smaller TV's, 24-26, I doubt the 1080 would make much difference, but at 40in+ 1080p's make 768's look blurry.