• Quick note - the problem with Youtube videos not embedding on the forum appears to have been fixed, thanks to ZiprHead. If you do still see problems let me know.

Monitor size vs viewing distance.

skeptsci

Thinker
S
Joined
Jan 12, 2009
Messages
225
Hi,
Thank you for your help on this problem.
I would like to upgrade my LCD computer monitor. My eyes are situated some 44" (110 cm) from the screen. I am trying to buy the biggest monitor that will still be OK for that viewing distance. I am doing games as well as text. Would a 26" wide screen (16:9, 1200X1920) be too big?
Thanks for the advice.
 
What the calculator ignores are
1. How good your eyes are.
2. How much detail you need to see.
3. How much you can afford.
4. How much you will use it.
5. What purpose you will be using the computer for.

The good news is that once you buy it, no one (bar your spouse) will tell you that you bought something too big. So check with the spouse before buying. If you do not have one then just buy it.
 
I have a 30 inch monitor. There is no such thing as a too big monitor.
 
Thank you all for the help. I think that, from the monitor-size- vs-viewing-distance point of view, watching films, shows or news in a home theater is somewhat different than doing computer stuff. It seems that I'll take dtugg's point of view and dare buying the 26" one (my bigger monitor option).
 
If it's not too late, you might consider that 26's do not offer higher resolution ( 1920 x 1200 ) than most 24's, but generally cost considerably more..
You can probably find a very high quality 24 at a comparable price to a low-end 24 ..


That said, and you have found a deal you like, do what works best for you ..
 
I installed W7 on a system the other day using a 42" LCD TV for a monitor.

Viewing distance was about 80" and I thought it looked lovely.

Games look awesome-and-a-half.
 
Last edited:
commandlinegamer said:
Tangential, but bear in mind some large screens cannot cope with (today's comparatively ) small resolutions e.g. 640x480, 800x600.
Click to expand...


Yeah, good point. I keep a couple of 19" CRTs for just that reason.

Even on a 19" LCD with a native resolution of 1280 x 1024, 800 x 600 is marginal, and 640 x 480 is just coloured fog.
 
skeptsci said:
Thank you all for the help. I think that, from the monitor-size- vs-viewing-distance point of view, watching films, shows or news in a home theater is somewhat different than doing computer stuff. It seems that I'll take dtugg's point of view and dare buying the 26" one (my bigger monitor option).
Click to expand...

FWIW, I off-line edit with a pair of BenQ 24" LCDs about a foot away. I'm also rather near-sighted but I don't think there's a connection. :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top Bottom