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Forums - Gaming - TECH TALK PT 4: The truth about resolution

Intrinsic on 01 March 2015

This one will be short, and maybe a little controversial. But I'll just start off and say it, resolution is not what you probably think it is.

In modern gaming, resolution has been thrown around a lot as some sort of defining metric for image quality. The truth is, it represents the most petty way to differentiate or nitpick a games IQ. Its what's turned to when there is no true tangible way to differentiate a games IQ or a systems specifications. We have 720p, 900p, 1080p and 2160p (there are a lot more but I'm keeping it simple and based on the most popular or talked about standards).

The real questions are, what's the difference? How much better is one over the other?

There are tons of answers to these questions, lots if variables but I'm going to ignore all that and focus on what you can see with your own eyes. After all, you don't "feel" resolution, so resolution you can't see, is wasted resolution. Some will argue about just how much resolution the human eye can theoretically resolve but tests like those are never practical or done in real world situations. 

If you have 20/20 vision, and sit exactly 10ft from your display this is the calculated optimal resolution(and max resolution which you need not go higher than) you will need in relation to screen diagonal sizes.

  • 32" = 720p(720p)
  • 46" = 720p(1080p)
  • 55" = 1080p(1080p)
  • 100" = 1080p(4k)
  • 126" = 1080p(4k)
  • 136" = 4k(4k)
You don't believe me? then take this visual test for yourself and read the slightly old article. Take the test accurately and carefully follow the instructions. There are also tools to calculate for yourself in relation to you seating distance and display size in tandem with your test results. . 
But why do we notice obvious "side by side" differences in resolution when comparing a 900p image to a 1080p? 
Simple answer is scaling. The TVs we use have a specific native resolution of usually 1080p. When scaling a 900p image to fit a 1080p screen, artifacts get introduced that usually  presents as a slight blurring of the image. Nothing more nothing less. 
The whole resolution nonsense for those that choose to remain ignorant of its actual benefits in relation to real world use scenarios is basically exactly what hardware manufacturers want you to believe. Its how they need you to think to justify buying ever higher resolution displays. Its the only way they can justify being able to say that that TV you got last year is now obsolete. Its their way of making people swear on their mother's life that they can see things that they can't possibly have seen from certain distances. Its what gamers the world over fall back on when trying to push forward differences that you probably wouldn't have seen. 
Take the test and I hope we have all learnt something here. Thanks as always and have a wonderful week!!!


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vivster on 01 March 2015

It all depends on your setup and your eyes. I don't think I will ever sit as far away from a TV as 10ft unless it's ginormous.
I'm currently sitting in front of a 40" TV at around 5-6ft and boy do I notice the blurring of 900p. 720p is barely playable anymore.

The problem is that 900p just doesn't sound much compared to 1080p. If it wasn't for the fucking upscaling. So it's basically 900p on a 1080p monitor -> big difference. 900p on a 900p monitor -> small difference.



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binary solo on 01 March 2015

Interesting, thanks. With my TV set up I'm in the 720(1080) range. ANd interestingly with my PC set up (smaller screen, closer viewing) I'm in to 1080(4K) range. Though sometimes when I'm playing PS4 with the charge cable attached my viewing distance from the TV puts me in the 1080(4K) range.

I can say I've never been suckered by resolution as a PR tool for buying a TV. I've only ever wanted to go up in screen size, and I've always bought TVs with resolutions that re regarded as standard for the day. My 36" TV was 720p, my 48" TV is 1080p. I won't be upgrading to a larger screen until I have a larger room in which to put a new TV., But even then it will probably be only a 55" and the viewing distance will probably make 1080p optimal at best. So good to know a 4K screen won't be needed. I won't need a 4K screen for PC unless I get a 30" monitor.



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PieToast on 01 March 2015
Intrinsic said:
Its how they need you to think to justify buying ever higher resolution displays. Its the only way they can justify being able to say that that TV you got last year is now obsolete.

the market has both Full HD (1080p) and HD Ready (720p) TVs and never had any upgrades until recently. Maybe you should have also mentioned other features like smart TVs, 3D and filters as other marketing ploys.



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Intrinsic on 01 March 2015
PieToast said:
Intrinsic said:
Its how they need you to think to justify buying ever higher resolution displays. Its the only way they can justify being able to say that that TV you got last year is now obsolete.

the market always had both Full HD (1080p) and HD Ready (720p) TVs and never had any upgrades until recently. Maybe you should have mentioned other features like smart TVs, 3D and filters which are actually marketing ploys.

As strange as it may seem, smart TVs or 3D actually have more real world value than going from 1080p to 4k with a fixed screen size and viewing distance. 

The thing with the market is that back then they didn't need to push "upgrades" cause  there was a clear difference in quality and design between SD and HD. But the problem bow is, besides just going bigger, how else cab they convince people to buy new TVs. Can they afford to tell people that they don't need to change that 1080p TV they bought years ago cause they won't notice a difffernfe on 4k unless they are getting a 140"+ screen?