How Large an HDTV to Buy (Revisited).

[57]

Hugh:

I just read your article below:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/content/view/1399/98/1/1/

The chart seems to indicate some viewing distances that are a lot "farther" than many of us recommend on this forum (The Digital Home FAQs for example, where I recommend 2-2.5x Screen size).

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=17705

Although this subject is certainly open to discussion and personal preference, I believe that 20' from a 60" TV for SD material is very, very conservative.

I sit quite comfortably at 11' from my 61" TV watching SD (and HD) and some people sit closer still (people having argued that I'm being too "conservative" in the FAQ).

People may be intrested in the following article from S&V discussing eye resolution, which is a totally different matter.

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/hit...esolution.html

Also, in reality, few people move their seats for different material. They usually sit in the same spot whether it's HD or SD, so the "conservative" distances for SD are certainly too far for good (theatre-like?) viewing of HD material.

Edit - poll added.

(120" (10') from a 60" TV = 2.0 X, remember 12" to a foot )

[jvincent]

Typing my reply sitting 10' (because of the angle) from a 61" plasma while the boy watches the Simpons in SD. It's SD, who cares what it looks like.

Normal viewing distance is ~9', which is most excellent for HD.

[uberchuckie]

I'm 12' away from my 44" DLP.

[perform23]

I am planning on getting a 60" RPLCD. I will be sitting around 14' away. I have read all of the topics on this, but just to confirm...60" sounds like an ideal tv size to purchase?

[57]

At 14', if you can afford larger, then you could certainly consider a 65-70". Try it on at a store.

[filper]

SD sucks on a HDTV at any distance...

I'm 8' from a 46" 1080i CRT and at times it seems too close for poorly authored DVD's and some HDTV (overly compressed) TV shows.

I vote + 2X.

[Al58]

Originally Posted by perform23

I am planning on getting a 60" RPLCD. I will be sitting around 14' away. I have read all of the topics on this, but just to confirm...60" sounds like an ideal tv size to purchase?

57 is right that you could probably go bigger. I plan on doing the exact same as you...my seating is 14 ft away and I looked at a friends setup with same size and distance(61" @14ft) and its great......definately would not want to go smaller.

[hugh]

perform23, I'll go back to the chart.

At 14 feet, you could probably go as big as 70" if all you do is watch HD. For SD, you're going to be at 25 to 30 feet before you hit the visible resolution limit hence why 25 feet is on the chart.

Does that mean you have to be at 25 feet. NO - it simply means that inside of 25 feet, you may be disappointed because you will be able to see the inherent flaws in the picture.

If the bulk of your television viewing is SD then at 14 feet, most people will be disappointed in a 70" screen
The other aspect is quality of the television. This discussion ignores the fact that not all HDTV's are equal. Frankly. I wouldn't waste my money on a LCD flat panel as any side by side comparision quickly shows that a good quality plasma has superior black levels, wider viewing angles, less image retention etc.

For those who are thread crapping, let me re-iterate that the chart is a guideline based on reviewing visual acuity charts and discussions with folks in the industry.

The 25 foot is consistent with S&V recommendation and the viewing calculator that was recommended in a prior post.

Some Final Random Thoughts

Most HDTV's sold aren't even used to watch HD so picture quality for SD and DVD are more critical to the bulk of consumers.

Most people don't understand that the signal source plays a large role in picture quality and are deceived in showrooms because all they see is HD signals and get home and are deeply disappointed. This is NOT anecdotal evidence.

In addition, studies by the CE industry show that a lot of people simply don't subscribe to the bigger is better theory of television. Women and many men simply find large televisions off putting and since many flat panels and rear projectors are NOT in dedicated home theatres.

Finally in most homes, not everyone is watching from the same distance. Most guys measure from the Tv to the back of the couch, forgetting that many sit in a side chair, on an angle or even on the floor in front of the tube.

[Hydroaxe]

I measured while sitting down at the TV. I sit 100" from my 50" HDTV, which is just a little over 8 feet and I love being that close.

[Walter Dnes]

Originally Posted by Hydroaxe

I measured while sitting down at the TV. I sit 100" from my 50" HDTV, which is just a little over 8 feet and I love being that close.

Me too. 100 inches from my 50-inch Panasonic PX75 plasma.

[Thumper_ehhhhh]

When sitting on our couch I am 96" from a 47 inch. I beleive that works out to 2 x's. Sometimes when i'm watching a good movie I sit in a chair that I place in front of the couch. I am than 72 inches from the tv. If my calculations are right thats 1.5 x's. The more clear the picture is I prefer sitting closer. Dim the lights and crank my sound system. Make popcorn and crack open a brown pop. If it wasn't 1 am thats what I would be doing now lol.