How much is too much resolution? Will we ever see 200 megapixel displays that are the size of a sheet of paper or is that just way overkill? Would there be any purpose to that much resolution for a display or camera?

On the one hand I'm hoping we get true virtual reality (think Star Trek holodeck,
The Matrix, etc.), on the other I'm a bit afraid of such a reality where you
can't seperate the fake from the real.... Then again, we might be in a simulation
now :)

But relating to eyes there definitely is a practical limit where you just can't
discern anymore detail. Obviously the larger the screen (more crowds, more
immersive [see paragraph above]) the more resolution you'll need.

And the camera's probably will shoot higher as well to allow for cropping,
zooming in, etc.

But yeah, I guess we will hit a limit sometime. But perhaps we can upgrade
our eyes to overcome that limit ;)

I guess a better question would be, what resolution would hit the limitations of the human eye for something the size of a sheet of paper?

Or if you were to give a pair of goggles video display ability what would be enough resolution and what would be too much that a person with 20/20 vision couldn't recognize any more detail?

Well, aside from video needs, I would like 300 dpi screens since that would get us into the range of laser or inkjet printed documents. For CAD work it would be great to have 24x36 inch screens at 300 dpi for example. Now the Apple 30" screen is approaching this physical size, but not the dot pitch.... in other words, I want 10,800 x 7,200 pixels.

So I'm not greedy... I don't need a 200 megapixel screen, just a 78 megapixel screen please :-)

I believe that a limit will be reached, but then a revolution in digital video will be welcomed afterwards. Cameras and televisions that don't use pixels, they use paths, points and mathematical equations. Real time, super realistic vector based videos, so no matter how far you zoom in, pixels will be nowhere in sight.

Much like these almost perfect vector images.
http://basangpanaginip.blogspot.com/2006/07/worlds-most-photorealistic-vector-art.html

Of course, those are created by artists, but whos to say that in the future cameras won't be able to do the same?

ok, thoese vevtor images on that page...whats the deal,?
what reaction is it spose to make me have?

As for resolution, after a certain point the human eye says "ahh I give up" and things dont' get any better looking or more detailed or anything. afterall, your eye shees' based off a "resolution" of sorts and you can't supass that (or if you did you couldn't tell)

I think a biological estimate for the human eye is about 4000x4000 pixels. If you think thats dissapointing, the psychological estimate for human long term memory is around 10^10 bits.

I notice that in the past 2 or 3 years digital SLRs have not improved in resolution much.