1080p HDTVs getting smaller?
By Kevin C. Tofel 
posted Oct 4th 2005 8:29AM
posted Oct 4th 2005 8:29AM
In
the "bigger is better" age that the HDTV market seems to be in, this is
a bit of shocker. Panasonic has developed a 50-inch prototype 1080p
display which crams 2.1 million happy little pixels in a more compact
screen size. Panasonic debuted the prototype at the CEATEC JAPAN show that continues to run through Saturday of this week.In terms of brightness and contrast, the 1080p set doesn't sacrifice any performance when compared to current Panasonic 50-inch PDP sets. I like this development, simply because not every room can handle a 60-inch or larger set, which is the size range that Panasonic will be offering a 1080p PDP next month in Japan with their model TH-65PX500. What do you think: are 1080p sets in smaller sizes worth developing or is bigger better?
Smaller sizes are always needed. Computer monitors comes to mind right away. If in some future I feel the need for a HD set in my bedroom I wouldn't want a 60" screen in there.
I'd want a 40" if I ever upgraded from my 38" CRT HDTV.
This isn't new - 1080p LCD HDTVs have been around in 37 inch size for awhile now. If you consider computer monitors, 1080p-ish (1920x1200 typically) is common in the 23" to 24" range.
I know there's a demand for 1080p at smaller sizes, because I want one. Lots of people will want the best possible resolution at less-than-ginormous sizes.
Also remember that the size/resolution of TV you want depends a lot on how close you sit to the TV, I think lots of people will see real benefit from 1080p at "small" sizes just because they sit close enough.
Smaller often = cheaper. More reasonably priced 1080p sets should lead to wider adoption and therefore more programming. Sounds good to me!
Michael, you're right this isn't new overall since some smaller LCDs are capable of 1080p. Panasonic has done this with a PDP, however.
I'm in the market for a 42 in. Larger sets seem to amplify digital artifacts, and make standard def look very blurry.
Realistically, 50" is about the max for my living room. So, yeah, bring on the smaller 1080ps.