Subjective Image Quality as a Function of Viewing Distance, Resolution, and Picture Size

Joyce H. D. M. Westerink, Jacques A. J. Roufs

This article describes two experiments concerning the subjective quality of complex scenes. Slide projections were used as stimuli, and they were varied in viewing distance, resolution, and picture size. The subjective quality was judged by a group of 20 subjects by means of categorical scaling. The results of the experiments show that the angular resolution expressed in periods per degree and the picture angle spanned by the display each influence the quality independently. Subjective quality increases with resolution but saturates at a resolution (6-dB cutoff frequency) of approximately 25 periods per degree. There is also a linear relationship between the subjective quality and the logarithm of the picture angle. These results are compared with those of a number of experiments known from the literature. The results are also interpreted in terms of consequences for high-definition television (HDTV).

Print ISSN
Published
1989-02
Content type
Original Research
DOI
10.5594/J02825