Brian C. Huffman wrote:

Discussion about mythtv <[email protected]> wrote:
2) You can calculate the appropriate "DisplaySize" based on the resolution you're using:

Given 1 inch = 25.4millimeters
DisplaySize is specified in millimeters
You're using a resolution of X x Y:

DisplaySize should be set to the truncated integer value (note, you have to do the math yourself, don't specify the equation in your X configuration file):

DisplaySize: ((X / 100) * 25.4) ((Y / 100) * 25.4)

So, for 1024x768:

1024 / 100 = 10.24 * 25.4 = 260.096 = 260
768 / 100 = 7.68 * 25.4 = 195.5072 = 195

DisplaySize  260 195

Some round instead of truncating. I've found that truncating gives best results...
This doesn't make sense to me (probably why I'm asking the question in the first
place).  You're calculating displaysize based on the resolution rather than the
physical dimensions of the display.

Yep.  (Keep reading...)

The man page for xorg.conf says the following:

DisplaySize width height
   This optional entry gives the width and height, in millimetres, of the
picture area of the monitor. If given this is used to calculate the horizontal
and vertical pitch (DPI) of the screen.

If this option is calculated this way, the Xserver could do it by itself?

Only if the X server has access to that information. If you're using a computer monitor (i.e. not a TV), it will almost definitely have access to that information (which is why you don't typically specify DisplaySize for your desktop system). If you're using an NTSC/PAL TV, it almost definitely won't. If you're using an "HDTV monitor" it may or may not depending on which output you're using (i.e. will with VGA/DVI, won't with Composite). If you're using a converter box (i.e. VGA->NTSC or VGA->Component or something) it almost definitely won't.

Honestly, logic would tell me to get out a tape rule and measure my TV, but
obviously the information that I'm reading is telling me something different. Still confused. :-(
That would work if you want your fonts to display at the appropriate sizes for your DisplaySize--as if it were being used as a computer monitor 2 feet in front of the user. Since most people watch TV from farther away than 2 feet (i.e. at least 5 to 10 feet), the calculated (or measured) DisplaySize isn't appropriate--fonts will be unreadably small.

Also, the whole reason it's important to specify exactly 100dpi--regardless of your actual DisplaySize--is because Myth themes were designed to use 100dpi. To design the themes, it was critical to have a way to convert dimenstions between font sizes (i.e. "points" = 1/72 inch) and pixels so that graphic images (which use pixels) line up with text. Since position information is specified in the themes at pixel locations--and not calculated dynamically at runtime by Myth--we have to pick one DPI setting to use. The actual value is unimportant; however, there can be only one value to ensure all themes line up properly. The value that was chosen is 100dpi.

So why didn't the Myth devs choose a DPI setting that was more "natural" and use huge font sizes so you could read the text from 5-10 feet away? If they had done this, then those who do use their monitors that are 2 feet away from them for watching TV with Myth would find the fonts way too large. For example, I set my DisplaySize on my Myth box to 100dpi and output to my TV, but I also use X redisplay to change frontend settings/etc. sometime and I know some people actually install MythTV on their desktops to watch TV. With the font-sizes that are used in the themes, fonts look good on my 27in TV from 5 feet away and in a window on my 19in monitor from 2 feet away...

All in all, I'd say JDS (and everyone else involved in thinking this stuff through) did an excellent job of making it work everywhere for everyone. :) (At least, it works for everyone who configures their system appropriately.)

Note that many people find that they don't like their font sizes when using 100dpi, so they go back and change their DisplaySize until they get the font size they want. The right way to do this is to a) make sure you have the requested font installed (as the X font server will give a "close-enough" font if the requested font doesn't exist, and the given font metrics may not be anything like the requested font in real life) and b) modify the ui.xml for your theme to specify the desired font sizes (and/or font names).

Mike

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