I have decided to buy a HDTV next year with my tax refund money. I only plan to get a 24"-27" HDTV because of space limitations (ie my apartment is very small). Would it even be worthwhile for me to get a HD-DVD player? What I mean is, will the increased resolution be noticeable on such a small screen or will it just "appear" the same as a regular 480p DVD? Also, for a HDTV of that size, is my only option an LCD? I haven't seen any other types (plasma, DLP, etc) that size.

I watch on 122" at 13' and can obviously see a huge difference. The smaller the screen, the closer you have to be to the screen to get any benefit from HD programming.

If you look at a site like this http://www.myhometheater.homestead.c...alculator.html you will see that for a 27" HDTV, the MAXIMUM viewing distance to gain any benefit is 3.5' away, and that is for a 16:9 screen. A regular 4:3 screen would be a maximum of 3.2" away.

I would probably wait, if I were you. And I think LCD would be the only real way to go for that size.

I have a 26" LCD in my bedroom and if I am close (2' to 3') I can see a difference. If you're going to be any further away, don't waste your money on such a small LCD.

The good news is that in spring of next year, LCDs will be cheaper. My 26" Aquos was $1100 last year, now it's under $900. The 36" model was almost $2000, now it's under $1500. If I were you, I'd save an extra $20 per month now and wait until summer of next year, then get a 32". My 26" is way too small for my tastes.

I have a 32" Samsung LCD TV and I can definitely notice a difference between HD-DVD and DVD. I would prefer a larger screen, but that's all I can fit in my room.

Moronic posts removed.

Whew! Mine is still there.

The Adam Tyner seal of approval.

ALL HAIL KVRDAVE!!!

I would say no. Throw that $500 into your new TV fund.

Thanks for the link, kvrdave. I was just the discussing the viewing distance issue with my neighbors during an HD demo last night. They are about to take the HDTV plunge and were wondering what screen size to get for their viewing distance.

lizard: Tell them to remember what every owner says when they take theirs home...

"Man, I could've gone bigger."

I think you missed one, Adam.

I did, in fact, tell them that! They are upgrading from a ten year old 4:3 RPTV and their viewing distance is too far for the HDTV size they are thinking about. I pointed out that the increased resolution of HDTV will allow them to sit closer, without seeing scan lines, than with the SDTV they are used to.

The viewing angle stuff will be of particular interest to them because one of them mentioned the difference in tracking the picture on my widescreen versus the static way they watched their 4:3 (from a great distance).

So far as kgrogers1979's original question, I agree with others above that 24 to 27 inches is too small to derive enough benefit from HD DVD, unless one plans to upgrade to a bigger screen in the near future (which does not seem to be the case given space limitations). It just wouldn't have enough impact to justify the extra expense of the HD DVD player (and discs).

What about a 30" TV?

I may be able to get my hands on a 30" CRT HDTV for under $150 (industry perks). Wondering what I can do with it ...

Yesterday, I bought an RCA player for my 30" Toshiba CRT. I can really notice a difference. Much sharper and "deeper" picture.

Use the link above. It will give you a good maximum viewing distance. I tend to prefer to be well under the maximum. Mine shows a maximum viewing distance of 16 feet and I am at 13 feet.

Interestingly, for standard def, I can go back over 40 feet.

Cool. Thanks guys.

We have a few HD DVD and BD players at work, but they are all hooked up to the bigger TVs so I couldn't test the look on the 30" CRT.