is a aspect ratio of 800.1 equal to that of a 16/9 screen aspect ratio?

Question

I am in the market for a nice HDTV{LCD}. I have found some systems but under specs. the aspect ratio's are16/9 and on other systems it states that they are 800.1. First, What kind of numbers as per the aspect ratio should I be looking for. And second, is 800.1 equal to a 16/9 image. I have been looking at Magnavox and JVC. and third, would I be losing much image space from a 42inch LCD to a 37 inch LCD. Both are wide screen. This TV will be my primary. Thanks.

Answer 1

16:9 is aspect ratio (Width vs hight) . All HDTVs are now 16:9.

800:1 defines contrast ratio. (Best white over best black). The bigger the better. But make sure you don't use Dynamic contrast.

These days, good LCDs have a contrast of at least 1,000:1 with a response time 8 ms or better.
Dynamic contrasts should be 4,000:1 - 6,000:1 or higher.
(Dynamic contrast is 2-5 times the real contrast).

Regardless of specs DO go and watch those TVs with real content in a store.

Answer 2

As the previous answer stated 16 by 9 is the aspect ratio, while 800:1 is contrast ratio. All high definition lcd tvs will be in 16/9 format and a decent contrast ratio is somewhere around 3000:1 if not higher. Also to answer the other part of your question, you get around 800 square inches of viewing size on a 37 in and little over 1000 on a 42 inch screen.