Optimal viewing distance

oreillykm

Hi Folks,

I fancy a new TV and am tempted by the Philips range. Was speaking with a mate and he is trying to disuade me from buying the biggest screen I can afford. He tells me that we have about 8 feet to play with between the TV and the couch and he recommends a 32 and a 37 inch at the maximum. Casting aside the temptation to sell me a big TV what do you guys usually recommend?

Thanks! oreillykm

Richersounds.ie: John

oreillykm wrote: »

Hi Folks,

I fancy a new TV and am tempted by the Philips range. Was speaking with a mate and he is trying to disuade me from buying the biggest screen I can afford. He tells me that we have about 8 feet to play with between the TV and the couch and he recommends a 32 and a 37 inch at the maximum. Casting aside the temptation to sell me a big TV what do you guys usually recommend?

Thanks! oreillykm

OReilly,

conventional wisdom on this subject is being kicked around a bit at the moment as 1080P Full HD is becoming more prevelant meaning that the percieved quality is maintained even when sitting close to the screen - The bottom line now really is that it's a matter of personal preference and of course interior design comes into it as well.

However there are lots of resources on-line to assist your decision - I think this one is sensible (however they do say that you can get away with a 65" TV at 8.5 feet)

In Europe at 8 feet I would say that the common screen size is now 37-42" and I think that you would be happy with that unless you are a mad gamer.

Keep me posted if we can assist in any way of if you have any other queries..

ATB,

John Mc & Crew

eddiem74

oreillykm wrote: »

Hi Folks,

I fancy a new TV and am tempted by the Philips range. Was speaking with a mate and he is trying to disuade me from buying the biggest screen I can afford. He tells me that we have about 8 feet to play with between the TV and the couch and he recommends a 32 and a 37 inch at the maximum. Casting aside the temptation to sell me a big TV what do you guys usually recommend?

Thanks! oreillykm

My 2 cents....

Pick a 37", 42" and 50" TV model. Go to there websites, and get dimensions.

Then get some newspaper or cardboard and cellotape, make a mock-up of the size, and stick it on the wall or have someone hold it up. This is a cheap way to give you a sense of whether its to big or not. Can it ever be too big though...I think not !

Invincible

This might be of help to you http://myhometheater.homestead.com/viewingdistancecalculator.html

Richersounds.ie: John

eddiem74 wrote: »

My 2 cents....


Then get some newspaper or cardboard and cellotape, make a mock-up of the size, and stick it on the wall or have someone hold it up.

Better stick some newspaper or cardboard out at a diagional about 4 feet from the wall as well to allow for 3D....;)

ATB,

John Mc

Soarer

I always use the chart attached.

Richersounds.ie: John

Guys,

Just thinking about it - may be best to post this on the general HE Forums as well - get a wider selection of advice there - however of course my considered professional advice is that any thing over 3 feet distance DEMANDS at least a 50"....;)

ATB,

John Mc

oreillykm

Thanks for all the great advice - I will do a cut out from some paper. I now have an expert justification to go for a bigger TV. Now to convince the missus.....

vinniemac

2.5 times the diagonal of the screen is often quoted as the ideal viewing distance

oreillykm

Okay, so I did the whole cardboard cut out thing and it looks like 37 inch is the way to go. Next question, we have 2 kids under 2 and I feel that the soft screen of an lcd will be too vulnerable - so can I get a 37-40 inch full HD plasma from you guys? Can you pls give me a couple of options to consider and do you deliver plasmas of that size to wicklow?