Why Inches for screens but cm for everything else?

Question

In UK TV/PC screens are measured in inches but almost everything else is measured in cm anybody know why

Answer 1

Good question and well observed. I've got to say, I don't know the answer, only to suggest that screens are often made for the American market (because it's the biggest) and so we have to put up with their archaic measuring system. See below for a map of countries that have not adopted the metric system:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/17/Metric_system.png

Answer 2

I bought a Panny and the spec was given both ways in the manual 50 in = 49.9 in = 1269 mm

NOW ..... looking at that I understand the problem and it is obvious. I didn't see it till I wrote it.

50 inch does not equal the exact dimension of 49.9 inch or 1269mm. So for the sake of marketing these tvs inches are used because it is a nice round small number. CM is too accurate and u would have every 50 inch set with a different CM number. I mean how would 126.9cm look or even 127 when another is closer to 126 or 128. where would u be?

Then people would buy them based on the highest number which is absurd

So u see sometimes our archaize measuring system, (which BTW we established way back when, so we wouldn't piss off the Brits more then we had by becoming independent), does serve a useful function.

At least we use DOLLARS - that's metric.
Trying to convert my wife, I understand why we aren't there yet. Every time she argues I ask her how much that is in sterling?

Answer 3

you make me wonder why.. i just notice it by your question.. why?...