Goodwin's High End


 

Video Screen Size Comparisons

As most people know, the HDTV aspect ratio is 16:9. Many times people ask what is the difference in picture size between two different flat panels or projection screen sizes.

Here are some typical screen size comparisons for various 16:9 screen sizes:

50" vs. 60"

60" vs. 65"

65" vs. 100"

65" vs. 110"

110" vs. 138"

But there are are actually several questions that should be asked also:

  • What is the size (height, width and square area) of a 4:3 image?
  • What is the size (height, width and square area) of a 16:9 image?
  • What is the size (height, width and square area) of a 2.35:1 image?
  • What is the size (height, width and square area) of a 2.40:1 image?
  • What is the viewing distance?

There are of course other common aspect ratios used in movies such as 1.37:1 or 1.66:1—and calculations can be made for those too. If the aspect ratio is wider than 16:9 (1.777) just take the image width and divide by the aspect ratio. For instance, for a 60" diagonal 16:9 (1.777) the width of the screen is 52.29"—so divide 52.29 by 2.40 and the image height of a 2.40 aspect ratio image calculates out to 21.875".

Of course rather than look at diagonal measurements, it is much more useful to understand the height and width of different aspect ratios of a given screen in inches—and most especially in relation to the viewing distance.

Calculating a Diagonal

With a given screen height and width, here is an example of how to calculate a diagonal for a 96" x 54" 16:9 screen.:

96" x 96" = 9216 square inches
54" x 54" = 2916 square inches
9216 square inches + 2916 square inches = 12,132 square inches
square root of 12,132 = 110" diagonal

Constant Height Screens

Most screens are Constant Width, but many high end home theaters today are installed with Constant Height screens. With a constant height screen the image height can stay the same for aspect ratios wider than 16:9 (1.777).

Using the same 54" screen height used in the example above:

  • A Constant Height Screen at a 2.40 aspect ratio would be 129" wide x 54" high
  • Whereas a Constant Width Screen at a 2.40 aspect ratio would be 96" wide x 40" high.

Common aspect ratios wider than 16:9 include:

  • 1.85
  • 2.35
  • 2.40
Some movies have been shot even wider than 2.40 such as:
  • 2.55
  • 2.59
  • 2.66
  • 2.76

Typical Screen Size Comparisons

What follows are some typical screen size comparisons:

16:9 50" diagonal screen vs. 16:9 60" diagonal screen



 
       
Stats 16:9 50 inch diagonal   16:9 60 inch diagonal
Width     43.58 inches       52.29 inches
Height     24.51 inches       29.42 inches
16:9 Square Area 1068 square inches   1538 square inches
       
2.40:1 Image Width     43.58 inches       52.29 inches
2.40:1 Image Height     18.16 inches       21.79 inches
2.40 Image Square Area  791 square inches   1139 square inches
       
In Comparison 16:9 50" diagonal   16:9 60" diagonal
As a 4:3 Display 30.56% smaller sq. area   44.00% larger sq. area
As a 16:9 Display 30.56% smaller sq. area   44.00% larger sq. area
As a 2.35:1 Display 30.56% smaller sq. area   44.00% larger sq. area
As a 2.40:1 Display 30.56% smaller sq. area   44.00% larger sq. area

 

16x9 60" diagonal screen vs. 16x9 65" diagonal screen



 
Stats 16:9 60 inch diagonal   16:9 65 inch diagonal
Width     52.29 inches       56.65 inches
Height     29.42 inches       31.87 inches
16:9 Square Area 1538 square inches   1805 square inches
       
2.40:1 Width     52.29 inches      56.65 inches
2.40:1 Height     21.79 inches      23.6 inches
2.40 Square Area 1139 square inches   1337 square inches
       
In Comparison 16:9 60" diagonal   16:9 65" diagonal
As a 4:3 Display 14.79% smaller sq. area   17.36% larger sq. area
As a 16:9 Display 14.79% smaller sq. area   17.36% larger sq. area
As a 2.35:1 Display 14.79% smaller sq. area   17.36% larger sq. area
As a 2.40:1 Display 14.79% smaller sq. area   17.36% larger sq. area

 

16x9 65" diagonal screen vs. 16x9 100" diagonal screen



 
Stats 16:9 65 inch diagonal   16:9 100 inch diagonal
Width 56.65 inches   87.16 inches
Height 31.87 inches   49.03 inches
16:9 Square Area 1805 square inches   4273 square inches
       
In Comparison 16:9 65" diagonal   16:9 100" diagonal
As a 4:3 Display 57.75% smaller sq. area   136.69% larger sq. area
As a 16:9 Display 57.75% smaller sq. area   136.69% larger sq. area
As a 2.35:1 Display 57.75% smaller sq. area   136.69% larger sq. area
As a 2.40:1 Display 57.75% smaller sq. area   136.69% larger sq. area
       

 

16x9 65" diagonal screen vs. 16x9 110" diagonal screen

 



 
Stats 16:9 65 inch diagonal   16:9 110 inch diagonal
Width 56.65 inches   95.87 inches
Height 31.87 inches   53.93 inches
16:9 Square Area 1805 square inches   5170 square inches
       
In Comparison 16:9 65" diagonal   16:9 110" diagonal
As a 4:3 Display 65.08% smaller sq. area   186.39% larger sq. area
As a 16:9 Display 65.08% smaller sq. area   186.39% larger sq. area
As a 2.35:1 Display 65.08% smaller sq. area   186.39% larger sq. area
As a 2.40:1 Display 65.08% smaller sq. area   186.39% larger sq. area
       
Constant Height at 2.40      
Height 31.87 inches   54 inches
Width 76.5 inches   130 inches
       
Constant Width at 2.40      
Height 31.87 inches   54 inches
Width 56.65 inches   96 inches
       
Square Area Comparison      
Constant Height square area  2438 square inches   6996 square inches
Constant Width square area  1805 square inches   5170 square inches
Percentage Difference      
Percentage Difference of Viewing Area - Constant Height/Constant Width  135% larger square area     135% larger square area

 

16x9 110" diagonal screen vs. 16x9 138" diagonal screen



 
Stats 16:9 110 inch diagonal   16:9 138 inch diagonal
Width 95.87 inches   120.28 inches
Height 53.93 inches   67.66 inches
16:9 Square Area 5170 square inches   8138 square inches
       
In Comparison 16:9 110" diagonal   16:9 138" diagonal
As a 4:3 Display 36.46% smaller sq. area   57.39% larger sq. area
As a 16:9 Display 36.46% smaller sq. area   57.39% larger sq. area
As a 2.35:1 Display 36.46% smaller sq. area   57.39% larger sq. area
As a 2.40:1 Display 36.46% smaller sq. area   57.39% larger sq. area
       
Constant Height at 2.40      
Height 54 inches   67.66 inches
Width 129 inches   162 inches
       
Constant Width at 2.40      
Height 54 inches   67.66 inches
Width 96 inches   120 inches
       
Square Area Comparison      
Constant Height square area  6996 square inches   10,961 square inches
Constant Width square area  5170 square inches    8138 square inches
Percentage Difference      
Percentage Difference of Viewing Area - Constant Height/Constant Width  135% larger square area     135% larger square area

 

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