Size of lounge and size of TV

Forums › Home Theatre (incl HTPC) › Size of lounge and size of TV

semigeek

1525 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 115

Topic # 95792 13-Jan-2012 08:40

I am thinking of possibly upgrading to a 55" TV, currently have a 42" LCD. Approximate seating distance from TV to couch is 3.3metres. Do you think a 55" would be overkill for that distance? I am leaning towards a LG 3D Cinema. Trialing 3D cinema in stores, I have noticed that anything from about a metre back from the TV still has what I will call 3D ghosting around the edges, but standing further back its much improved.

What size TV whether 2D or 3D do you all have and what is the approximate distance from TV to couch? And do you find the TV overbearing in the room, e.g. it takes primary focus when you first walk in?

1 | 2

2110 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 368

Trusted

Subscriber

Reply # 568219 13-Jan-2012 08:55

My opinion is that there is no such thing as to big when it comes to TV size.

When you live your life on Twitter and Facebook, and are only friends with like minded people on Twitter and Facebook, you are not living in the real world. You are living in a narcissistic echo chamber.

My thoughts are my own and are in no way representative of my employer.

eracode

2939 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 841

Subscriber

Reply # 568226 13-Jan-2012 09:04

geekiegeek: My opinion is that there is no such thing as to big when it comes to TV size.

+1, despite the advice offered in articles such as this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optimum_HDTV_viewing_distance

Jaxson

6734 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 593

Trusted

Reply # 568229 13-Jan-2012 09:08

The problem I can see is that resolutions max out at 1080P, but the TV screen gets bigger and bigger. That leads to progressively worse pixel density values, which leads to a poorer image if you sit to close.
Taken to extremes you get visible pixel blocks and a screen door effect.

So as much as I don't want to say it, yeah you can have a TV that's too big, if you sit real close to it.
That said, 50" sounds big but I find it find in our lounge, sitting about 3.5m from it, that it's fine and actually doesn't feel that big anymore.

And yeah it's noticeable when you come into the lounge, but you're going to get that no matter what as it's a big as TV. You can minimise the impact by wall mounting and concealing cables, which gives a much cleaner and less imposing install.

Also, I prefer to mount at a height that suits me when I'm sitting down watching TV. Watch for the popular idea of putting it 2/3rd's of the way up a wall like a picture ~ Great when you're standing up, but not so good on the neck when you're actually sitting down.

robjg63

2754 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 549

Reply # 568243 13-Jan-2012 09:31

geekiegeek: My opinion is that there is no such thing as to big when it comes to TV size.

+ 1

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

richms

21537 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4389

Trusted

Subscriber

Reply # 568294 13-Jan-2012 10:39

No, it can be too big because it ends up looking like you are looking at a screendoor. 1080 is only really enough for 55" possibly a 60+ in a large room where you wont ever be watching it from within 2.5 m or so.

Bring on 4k 80"ers and then bigger will be viable.

Richard rich.ms

jjnz1

1091 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 84

Subscriber

Reply # 568295 13-Jan-2012 10:43

This link provides a little insight,

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

I say, clear out the Mrs car in the garage, and buy a projector with some home theater seats. That way 150" is not just a dream!

richms

21537 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4389

Trusted

Subscriber

Reply # 568303 13-Jan-2012 10:52

The problem with those calculations etc is that they are based on someone with only 20/20 vision, which is what they have decided is norma, so much of the world will still get some benefit from greater resolution than the chart indicates, and there will be some blind-as people out there that could be 2 feet from a 60" screen and still not see the black borders around each pixel on it.

Richard rich.ms

scuwp

3094 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1561

Reply # 568310 13-Jan-2012 11:15

To answer the second part of your question: I have a 50" plasma and sit about 3m away. It's about right but would have no qualms about changing to maybe a 55" at that distance.

I have always found that TV's look HUGE when you first take them out of the box, but in a very short time you get use to the size. To coin a hardware shops catch phrase... "Big is Good!"

Always be yourself, unless you can be Batman, then always be the Batman

gehenna

4968 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1136

Moderator

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

Reply # 568311 13-Jan-2012 11:18

That's about the distance from my 55" and I'm sure I could go another 20" or so :)

Regs

Infrastructure Geek
4057 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 195

Trusted

Microsoft NZ

Subscriber

Reply # 568314 13-Jan-2012 11:27

richms: The problem with those calculations etc is that they are based on someone with only 20/20 vision, which is what they have decided is norma, so much of the world will still get some benefit from greater resolution than the chart indicates, and there will be some blind-as people out there that could be 2 feet from a 60" screen and still not see the black borders around each pixel on it.

as an aside, 20/20 is not someone with perfect vision. My optomotrist told me I had better than 20/20 vision after my laser surgery. 20/15 or something.

Technical Evangelist
Microsoft NZ
about.me/nzregs
Twitter: @nzregs

Asmodeus

1006 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 29

Reply # 568364 13-Jan-2012 12:55

geekiegeek: My opinion is that there is no such thing as to big when it comes to TV size.

What about 103"? :)

http://www.panasonic.com/consumer_electronics/plasma_central/103plasma/default.asp

kendog

252 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 30

Reply # 568483 13-Jan-2012 15:52

Asmodeus:
geekiegeek: My opinion is that there is no such thing as to big when it comes to TV size.

What about 103"? :)

http://www.panasonic.com/consumer_electronics/plasma_central/103plasma/default.asp

Did you notice that tv weighs 220kg, lol.

As for the original question, I have just gone from a 40 LCD to a 55 Plasma. Viewing distance about 3.5 meters.
I knew it was going to be bigger, but hadn't realised just how much bigger that step is. It's deceptive when looking at them in a big shop.

After a couple of weeks it no longer looks too big, in fact I would say the size is awesome for that viewing distance.
I got a "wow look how clear the picture is for the size" last night as well

from someone seeing it for the first time.

sen8or

706 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 206

Reply # 569577 16-Jan-2012 18:45

Im sure I read it that its being scientifically proven that TVs shrink overtime, and what once was a "huge" 55inch picture is now a little small.

+1 to the person who recommended a projector, for size and bang for the buck, you can not beat them. Projector with drop down screen over the plasma, best of both worlds, yet oddly, they have a lower wife acceptance factor than public nudity during a snow storm

andrew027

1243 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 530

Reply # 575382 31-Jan-2012 15:35

I don't think there is such a thing as too big, but there is such a thing as too close.

A mate of mine used to have a house where the lounge ceiling sloped up on one side at about 30° off vertical. As well as a small LCD TV on the wall he had a projector angled up at the sloping ceiling. I never measured the image but it was easily over three metres wide. We watched a few movies like that, but mostly I remember watching Bathurst one weekend and the cars looked life sized. I got motion sickness as an in-car camera followed another car over Skyline and through the Esses.

Yes, the neck angle was a problem, but that was to be expected. What I hated was that you couldn't stand back from it, so you needed to move your whole head to take everything in, rather than just flicking your eyes around the screen. It got to where I really hated that.

richms

21537 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4389

Trusted

Subscriber

Reply # 575383 31-Jan-2012 15:38

As average screen size goes up they will start framing shots better fir bigscreen. You just have to look at the big heads in 80s shows to see how far we have come already

Richard rich.ms

1 | 2