720p vs 1080p, Does Resolution matter? - A Utilitarian Perspective

[freedquaker]

Dr.Henry_Killinger said:
Well discussion has gone no where fast.
To actually address the OP. Resolution is only a subset of graphical quality which is itself a subset of the game's utility(value). While value is inherently subjective among consumers, we can still extrapolate that resolution allows for more detail to be displayed on a screen capable of displaying that extra detail.
The extra detail helps define fidelity, so it only matters as the graphics do.

In other words, Resolution is only important if Graphics are important.

I agree that resolution is only one aspect of the utility got from the source. Those utility functions always assume everything else to be constant. So basically two identical video sources (graphs, movies etc) except for their resolutions, the one with the higher resolution will provide better utility, although the perception will depend on the outlet and the addressee. One exception though, the resolution may affect the functionality and improve the utility through other channels as well (such as better range, depth of field, zoom or view point etc), not just visual clarity.