Science Friday Is There Such A Thing As Too Much Resolution On A TV?
Nov 6, 2025
Dr. Maliha Ashraf, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Cambridge, and Dr. Bryan W. Jones, a retinal neuroscientist at the University of Pittsburgh, explore the intriguing limits of TV resolution. They discuss how our eyes can only resolve a certain number of pixels and introduce a display calculator for optimal setups. Age-related vision changes and their impact on TV choices are also examined. Finally, they compare human vision to that of animals, revealing fascinating insights into how different species perceive the world.
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Upper Limit Of Perceivable Resolution
- Human eyes resolve about 94 pixels per degree for black-and-white fine lines.
- Adding pixels beyond that gives diminishing returns because the eye cannot perceive extra resolution.
Match Distance And Screen Size
- Control viewing distance and screen size to optimize perceived resolution.
- Use higher pixel density on smaller screens or sit closer to benefit from extra resolution.
When 8K Actually Matters
- Don't buy 8K over 4K unless you sit very close for your screen size.
- For a 40-inch TV at about one meter, 8K may be noticeably better than 4K.