Screen Size

[halo]

My wife wants to get a new TV so I'd like to know what the best screen size would be for viewing from eight feet away.

Is 52" too big? That's the screen size of the set she has her sights on - Mitsubishi LCD RP FWIW.

[polksda]

I wouldn't think 52" is too big. I have a 65" screen and 10-12 feet is about right for it...

[schwarcw]

Isn't there some "rule of thumb" ratio of screen size and viewing distance. I don't think it matters with plasma. But I heard it does with the other technologies. Where's okiepolkie? He'll know this stuff. Zach where are you!

[dbournival]

Per Circuit City the rule is 4 inches of screen size for every foot of viewing for regular broadacast, 6"/Foot for DVD and 7"/foot for HDTV.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/genericContent.do?oid=134730#step2

[millerman 3732]

get the biggest you can fit in your room, someone here on the forum said it one time "I've never heard any one say I wish I had gotten a smaller T.V."

[RoosterD]

Isn't there some "rule of thumb" ratio of screen size and viewing distance. I don't think it matters with plasma. But I heard it does with the other technologies. Where's okiepolkie? He'll know this stuff. Zach where are you!

I don't know about the rule or the thumb, but I sit roughly 8-10 feet away and my 56" is a little big. Maybe because the room is small, or maybe it's because I came from a 32" Tube. I don't mind it one bit, but it's probably too big for the room. I bought the TV knowing that I will have it for at least 10 years, so our next house will probably have a larger room in which the TV might fit perfectly. I always recommend going bigger or better once you've found your TV just because your needs/technology will change over the next 5-10 years. I figure you should pay a little more now to get a little more later. <-- my 2 cents anyway.

[McLoki]

I sit about 14' away from my 50" Hitachi LCD RP.

It is about perfect. The 55" would have been nice, but I would wonder if I could see image issues with DVD's? It looks perfect from my distance. (although I probably should have purchaed the 55"...)

Michael

[Willow]

we are 12 ft from our 32" LCD...I had to respect my wife on size...but I did get a new LCD. I am content with 32"...for now ;)

[halo]

Thanks for all the replies :)

I wanted to go with a smaller TV because I thought I'd be so close I'd see all the image issues like McLoki mentioned. Guess that isn't going to be a problem. We've got 30 days to return or exchange so no worries here - I was just curious ;) . Thanks again everybody! :)

[Holydoc]

Peersool,

You are the first man I have ever seen that wants to buy a smaller tv than their wife wants. I can die in peace now knowing I have seen it all. ;)

Seriously, a 52" HDTV will be fine at 8'. I currently have a 50" Plasma at 8' and smile everytime I watch it.

Enjoy!

[a_mattison]

I have a 51" hitachi (that is currently waiting for a repair man) that is perfect from about 9 feet, but I have a chair off to the side about 7 feet away and the view is just fine. You can see a little bit of graininess in the image, but its not too bad. I would go for the 52". It'll be perfect! By the way, could we introduce your wife to mine?...maybe I could get a more powerfull receiver out of it or something.... :)

[halo]

If my wife meets your wife you are going to end up with an SVS sub in record time.

It amazes me how much they protest and complain sometimes - whenever you mention new gear or upgrades - but when they finally see or hear what you've been talking about they "get it".

Reminds me of sex - "I'm not in the mood" to "that was fantastic". ;)

Either way I win! :D :D :D

BTW - She asked me about upgrading our AVR after we got home - damn I'm lucky sometimes.

[tecmo04]

get the big one.. im like 5 feet away from a 47" love it, love it, love it!!

[McLoki]

Reminds me of sex - "I'm not in the wood" to "that was fantastic". ;)

Your wifes got wood??? :eek: (in best seinfeld voice - not that theres anything wrong with that....... :D )

Michael

[landry_p2000]

R U Nuts??!!!! Get the tv man. It is not every day a woman is down for dropping a grip on a big a$$ tv. Do it, do it, do it! I am viewing a 51" Panasonic at 9ft., with no complaints.

[okiepolkie]

Where's okiepolkie? He'll know this stuff. Zach where are you!

Sorry, didn't see this thread until now.

The chart in this Sound and Vision article (http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=1137) is a good source for determining screen size and viewing distance.

Hope this helps.

[okiepolkie]

BTW, Landry, you will have a PM or email at you sometime today.

[dorokusai]

I have a 52" and sit 6ft away....I wish it was even bigger. I only need eyeballs for another 20 years anyways.

[halo]

The 52" Mitsubishi WD-52528 will be delivered Friday. HOPE i'm not going to be staring at a "screen door effect". I think we got a pretty good deal but if anyone has any info on this TV I'd appreciate it.

Thanks for the replies everybody!

[Pablo]

I'm about 8' from my 56", and I think it is perfect.

[landry_p2000]

BTW, Landry, you will have a PM or email at you sometime today.

Okie Dokie, Olkie Polkie... :D

[Willow]

Landy P2K,

where you been? have not seen you here in a while. :eek:

[landry_p2000]

Landy P2K,

where you been? have not seen you here in a while. :eek:

What's up Willow? I am here man, just been busy fixin' up my old truck I bought last month. It is a 1989 Chevy Cheyenne 1500 pick-up truck. I put in a JVC mp3 head unit, and four Pioneer 4"x6" speakers. I plan on adding a sub and amp soon. Powered by Dodge gave me some good ideas. How about you?

[Willow]

What's up Willow? I am here man, just been busy fixin' up my old truck I bought last month. It is a 1989 Chevy Cheyenne 1500 pick-up truck. I put in a JVC mp3 head unit, and four Pioneer 4"x6" speakers. I plan on adding a sub and amp soon. Powered by Dodge gave me some good ideas. How about you?


I'll send you a PM, don't wanna hijack

[landry_p2000]

I'll send you a PM, don't wanna hijack

Okay.

[Ron-P]

I'm 7' away from an 85" screen.

[landry_p2000]

I'm 7' away from an 85" screen.

What's up Ron? So if tennis is on, you get a neck cramp from looking side to side on the screen? ;)

[r.camacho1]

If I remember correctly, for a 50" TV, the minimum viewing distance is 6ft. for HDTV, and 8ft. for NTSC programing, so he sould be fine with the 52"

[r.camacho1]

I found this link that should help in determining veiwing distence.
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/assets/download/0602_tech_talk2_large.jpg