Monitor Image Size Calculator
Originally published by Bruce C. Pippin at "Steel Battalion Central" August 17, 2003This calculator requires the use of Javascript enabled and capable browsers. One of the most important aspects of any video game system design is determining what is the optimum viewing screen size. This calculator is designed to provide that information. Unlike a movie theater, or a home theater installation, the information content on the screen is much more critical in a game system. The written material will contain important information that either supports, or supplements, the presentation. Of course the font size used has a great deal to do with legibility. Commercially produced television material sizes the fonts to be legible at about 10 feet on a 19 inch television, but in commercially produced material, printed or video taped, adjustment of the font size is not possible. Even when a gaming system allows adjustments, there is a finite limit of the font size. If the screen is too small for the depth of seating, the image will be too small to easily read written material. While a viewer can still resolve a picture at very small sizes, text legibility offers the potential for error.
For these applications the old rules of acceptable screen size for pictures does not apply, the information is in written form, not in the pictures. For someone to resolve a large screen computer display to the same fidelity that you are able to view this screen in front of you, the images have to be much bigger than a television image. This calculator will provide the dimensions for a projection screen with the equivalent image size to a 15 inch computer monitor at normal working distance. This would be the optimum size for viewing computer applications running at a maximum of 1024x768 resolution. This applies to aspect ratios of 3:4:5 relating to the screen characteristics of height, width and diagonal sizes. So long as the measurements remain consistent, any measurement designation will work correctly. The calculator will provide, minimum and optimum Diagonal Screen Size.
Though the eye receives data from a field of about 200 degrees, the acuity over most of that range is poor. To form high resolution images, the light must fall on the fovea, and that limits the acute vision angle to about 15 degrees.
Thus it is possible to use a screen that is too large for your choosen viewing distance, because the extreme edges of the image would fall outside of your acute vision angle. Anything larger than the calculated Oversized Diagonal Screen Size would be unusable unless your eyes constantly scan the screen from one extreme edge to another (which may cause you to completely miss action happening on the opposite side of the screen!)
Some players have also reported that having both your controller and screen within arms length is better since it is easier and quicker on your eyes to focus from one to another (rather than going from your controller to a screen across the room).
Although beyound the scope of this calculator, you should also take into account the screen resolution. The Xbox itself will display images on your television in standard analog formats (NTSC employs a total of 525 horizontal lines per frame while PAL employs a total of 625 horizontal lines per frame). If you equip your Xbox with a High Definition AV Pack (not available for a PAL Xbox sold in Europe) and a HDTV (high definition TV) screen, then it can display the higher 1080i (1080 X 1920 Interlaced) and 720p (720 X 1280 progressive) formats.
In order to bring this resolution to their Xbox gaming experience, some players take the option of using a computer monitor which can easily display any of the HDTV formats rather than purchase a relatively expensive HDTV screen. This is a good option even for homes that already have a HDTV, since using the central television exclusively for game play tends to irritate the remainder of the family.
Although most computer monitors will also require an HDTV-to-VGA converter to make the connection (such as the Key Digital Systems Model KD-CTCA2 or Audio Authority Model 9A62), the Sony SDM-V72W Multimedia Flat Panel LCD Monitor is one screen capable of acting as a computer monitor and HDTV screen out of the box. It provides a perfect multi-use monitor capable of being connected directly to a PC, HDTV Cable Box and also the Xbox game console.
However, it should be noted that even with the proper equipment (both High Definition AV Pack and proper screen), the game itself must provide the higher resolutions as part of its features. Although there are many games that do provide higher resolutions, unfortunately the current version of Steel Battalion is not one of them. However, the 480p format that can be displayed is slightly improved over the NTSC or PAL signal provided to a standard television. Without a doubt, this set up is far superior to any standard analog television screen for Xbox game play regardless of it's physical size.
Keep in mind that a computer monitor (CRT or LCD) is not the only option for your desktop. The price alone of a monitor like the Sony SDM-V72W Multimedia Flat Panel LCD Monitor or a standard computer monitor plus a HDTV-to-VGA converter is enough to cause anyone to have second thoughts about bringing HDTV quality images to their desktop. It's quite easy to drop $900 or more for this configuration.
If you're primarily focused on playing the current version of Steel Battalion this route may not be ideal for your environment. Another alternative (if you just happen to have a PC connected to that computer monitor) is to connect your Xbox via a TV Tuner or other analog video input device. In this case, I'd recommend the Advanced AV Pack which will allow you to connect via an S-Video cable (not available for a PAL Xbox sold in Europe). S-Video will provide the same resolution but the image will look sharper than the standard composite video that ships with the Xbox.
Another alternative to providing a screen for your desktop is simply a 17-21 inch television screen. Less expensive than a computer monitor, a good one with S-Video inputs can easily be found under $200US.
Since making the decision to purchase an analog television or HDTV screen is largely a function of money, your best choice may be a small high resolution screen rather than a large low resolution screen for game play. What ever you choose, you can use the calculator to determine the best viewing distance.
