50" or 55" Panasonic TV and sitting distance

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Davoid

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#123321 3-Jul-2013 11:56

Hello,

I am looking at purchasing one of the new Panasonic TH-L55ET60 (55") televisions, but as the wife and myself sit about 2.3 to 2.5 metes away is the 55" to big for viewing normal TV channels which normally are 720p (I think).
Or should we look at the 50" model?

At the moment we have a Sony 40" LCD

Thanks for any help and advice.

David

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#848685 3-Jul-2013 12:27

no such thing as to big IMHO but then I watch a 100" projector screen as my main TV at about 3 meters sitting distance.

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

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#848686 3-Jul-2013 12:28

Maybe but it all boils down to personal preference.
Check instore at the same viewing disatance and see what the picture looks like.
I sit about the same distance from our 32" and I wouldn't feel comfortable with anything bigger than 40" at that distance.
Unless maybe we got a 4K HD set if they ever get cheap enough.

clevedon

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#848688 3-Jul-2013 12:30

http://s3.carltonbale.com/resolution_chart.png

bazzer

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#848695 3-Jul-2013 12:42

That chart shows maximum viewing distance really, i.e. the distance from which the benefit of HD is lost if you sit further away.

It's personal preference as to the minimum distance, i.e. does the low res distract you? I sit just under 3m from my 65" and it's great. Even on low res SD channels it's fine. Freeview HD is 1080i BTW.

I can't imagine watching a 32" from any distance.

Davoid

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#848698 3-Jul-2013 12:45

Thank you all for the replies.
Clevedon, thanks for the chart, with what I am looking at I would be in the red zone (1080p) for say 8.5 ft and 55" and below for the 720p option, does this mean that it is good for viewing TV channels or bad? sorry not sure how to read it

thanks again,
David

Davoid

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#848699 3-Jul-2013 12:47

bazzer, sorry was writing my other reply before I saw yours. Thanks looks like 55" will be okay?

Regards,
David

bazzer

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#848707 3-Jul-2013 13:14

Davoid: bazzer, sorry was writing my other reply before I saw yours. Thanks looks like 55" will be okay?

Regards,
David

I would think so, but it's up to you really. When I bought my TV the shop assistant tried to tell me 65" would be too big and I should go with 60" (sales technique to ensure I bought the 65"? more margin on the 60"? I don't know, I just went in to buy the 65"!). I'm glad I didn't listen to him. I've never heard anyne complain that the TV that bought is too big.

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wasabi2k

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#848766 3-Jul-2013 14:01

Just bought a new 60" Plasma - similar distance (maybe 2.5-3m at a stretch). Absolutely fine for 720p (Sky) and SD stuff on sky looks fine too - you get used to it.

Like has been said, try it out in the shop/

fahrenheit

757 posts

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#848767 3-Jul-2013 14:04

I sit 2.2m from a 60". I'd happily put a 65" in the same spot. All my sources are HD (and some upscaled SD) and I really don't find anything objectionable about it.

Although I'm talking about PDP. Put an LCD there and I might start whining...

Davoid

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#848803 3-Jul-2013 15:20

Thanks all for the help, was only the wife who was concerned. Will now look forward to getting my (our) new TV. Will have to watch Underworld first (Kate Beckinsale in leather on a 55" oh boy}

David

wasabi2k

2094 posts

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#848817 3-Jul-2013 15:29

Tron was my first stop with the new plasma.

Was particularly ZOMG even in 720p. Looking forward to 1080p when I get the Blu Ray player next month.

kendog

325 posts

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#848925 3-Jul-2013 19:55

As others have said, nobody complains their tv is too big after they have it in their house.
In this case, bigger is better.

scuwp

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#848954 3-Jul-2013 21:23

Davoid: Thanks all for the help, was only the wife who was concerned. Will now look forward to getting my (our) new TV. Will have to watch Underworld first (Kate Beckinsale in leather on a 55" oh boy}

David

Good choice. Bigger is definitely better. Just be warned it will appear huge when you first take it out of the box, but don't worry you will get use to it, and over time wonder why you didn't get something even bigger :-)

Happy shopping.

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richms

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#850088 6-Jul-2013 13:36

If you can see the pixels, its too big. Thats why I stopped at 55" for the bedroom, as the 65" was totally screendoor like at 2 meters away.

Richard rich.ms

dmckiwi

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#850549 7-Jul-2013 21:31

Davoid: Thanks all for the help, was only the wife who was concerned. Will now look forward to getting my (our) new TV. Will have to watch Underworld first (Kate Beckinsale in leather on a 55" oh boy}

David

After much research over a new TV for my house and find as most people have said the correct size screen for 1080p to start becoming noticeable over 720p is a lot bigger than you think. From your seating position a 55" would be right to take advantage of 1080p and you could go to a 60" and still be fine.
After doing the numbers my view position of 2.8-3m's meant I needed a 60-65" TV so I'm making to step up to a projector and keeping my 42" for normal TV viewing, from my viewing position I need a 106" screen so you have nothing to worry about with a 55" TV.

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