25 inch or 21 inch TV for 240p content

[andykara2003]

Hi, I know already that a 21 inch screen should look slightly better than a 25 inch for 240p content as a small TV/monitor will generally look one class better than a large one for this material.

My question is in this case, will sitting close to a smaller (21 inch) look better or the same than sitting further away from a 25 inch TV playing the same 240p content?

i.e. is the smallness=nicer-picture-factor there only because the pixels are smaller (therefore sitting close to smaller = sitting further away from bigger) or is there some other factor/s involved that makes the smaller TV look better?

I'm using the TV with an N64.

Sorry for the convoluted question!

[daskrabs]

It's mostly personal preference. I have a 32" monitor that I play console stuff on, and I think it looks great at 6ft. It really depends on the distance you're sitting and your eyesight.

[andykara2003]

Sure I totally understand.

Also, though, the N64 (along with PS1 & others) are unique cases - being in the first gen of 3D machines.

I think that 2D 240p games from the previous generation look better on larger TV's (and have aged better generally) than N64/PS1 because the N64/PS1 are doing 3D graphics at a very low resolution.

This ends up looking like a pixelly mess on larger screens as opposed to the crisp sprites of 2D consoles.

My question is specifically about N64...

[Fudoh]

It's complicated. For example I can't sit 6 ft from the screen I play on. Just doesn't work. I sit 2-3 feet from a 21" LCD and 3-4" from a 52" screen. That's the only range that works for me. I think the eyes simply get used to a certain distance and the eyes' focus required when sitting further away is what makes this impossible for me.

[andykara2003]

I'm exactly the same - I will sit 3 feet from a 25" CRT and 4-6 feet from my 46" screen.

So assuming I'm sitting 3 feet from a 21" Crt - will it look appreciably better than a 25 inch at the same distance?

I'm talking about N64 etc.

EDIT: I don't know if this is the right question - I'm just trying to get the best picture out on an N64. It looks pixellated on a 25" CRT so the logical conclusion is to try it on a 21 inch at the same viewing distance... I would assume it will look less pixellated - Is this right?

[Fudoh]

I don't think so. I mean, 3DS games still look pixelated on a 4" screen and they got about the same resolution as your N64.
25" TVs were quite rare over here. At least Sony certainly concentrated on 21" and 29" in the early 90s. I never had a problem with a 29" set. It's a good TV size. Before that I had a 14" Commodore (back in my PC Engine, MD and early SNES days). It was fine as well. I wouldn't try to choose between 21" and 25", but just pick up whatever is available. If you already have a good looking 25", keep it. Maybe try to re-adjust the sharpness controls for your N64. On the N64 I find it quite hard to find a setting to look good for both 2D and 3D titles....

[fagin]

and 3-4" from a 52" screen.

I hope you have your units of measure mixed up there, Mr Magoo!

[Fudoh]

oh, yes, my bad. feet of course...... exactly 100 cm - face to 52" screen. For gaming. For movies on the same display, 2.8 m (9-10 ft).

[fagin]

oh, yes, my bad. feet of course...... exactly 100 cm - face to 52" screen. For gaming. For movies on the same display, 2.8 m (9-10 ft).

You sit 3-4 inches away from a 52" screen for gaming!? WTF!

[fagin]

Nice edit.

[andykara2003]

I never had a problem with a 29" set. It's a good TV size.

Cheers - I might try a 29" as well - I just assumed my N64 would look too scanlined & pixellated at 3-4 feet on a 29 inch TV but you never know till you try.

Very good point about the 3DS - same resolution as N64 on a tiny screen & it still looks pixellated

[fagin]

Distance can be very relevant, but you need to compare like for like technology and level of technology. The 3DS "example" is irrelevant imo.

Whether or not your N64 will look "too scanlined and pixelated at 3-4 feet on a 29" CRT" is subjective. But I can certainly say it will look more scanlined and pixelated than a 21" at the same distance (assuming same tech and level of tech).

[andykara2003]

Hmm - I think you're right Fagin. I just connected a 21" up to my N64 & it did look less scanlined & pixellated than my 25" - but was too small to be involving (for me).

I already want to mitigate the scanline/pixellated look as much as possible so going to a 29" might not be a great idea.

It looks like maybe 25" is a good compromise between size and PQ.