Low resolution video on high res monitors?

[contentedbloke]

Hi,

I'm searching for a 24" monitor and I have a basic question. While I'm sure that HD content will play very well on a 1920x1200 monitor, I wonder how standard definition or even divx/xvid content will play on such a monitor?

For example, I have loads of content which are ripped, divxed, xvided to resolutions such as 624 x 352, 560 x 416, 720 x 576, 720 x 480 etc.

For viewing this content, should I buy a 24" HD resolution monitor or will it be displayed better in a 22" 1680 x 1050 monitor? I'm concerned about picture quality, grains, noise etc.

 

[dug777]

As a general rule, lower def content on a higher def screen doesn't look fantastic, but having watched a range of less than HD content on my better half's 16x10 22" screen and my 19x12 24" screen I haven't seen any meaningful benefit to the lower res (and I presume marginally lower pixel density) when sitting back at a normal distance to watch a show.

As an added bonus, you can also enjoy Full HD content in all its pixel-y magnificence if you get a 19x12 or 19x10 screen

As an aside, I love my 1920x1200 LG L246WHX, and if you're going to use the screen a lot for purposes other than watching shows I would heartily recommend getting a 1920x1200 over the increasingly common (and usually cheaper) 1920x1080, the extra vertical real estate is noticeable and welcome.