Bias Lighting Question

[DIGITALBATH]

So, in my reading about bias lighting I learned that it is best to have a white, or light colored background behind your TV, well I live in an apartment and it is more like a wood paneling, so I'm out of luck there.

I decided to go budget and picked up a 60 watt replacement 6500k bulb to go with a lamp that you clamp onto, whatever you want. So I have the lamp shining at the wall, and my ceilings are painted white, the light shines about 15-20 inches on the ceiling. Is this a bad thing? I do like the effect, but I wish I simply had a white wall. The fact that it splays out beyond the TV, kind of bothers me, though it is easier on the eyes. Any thoughts?

[Nick4Blu_81]

Originally Posted by DIGITALBATH

So, in my reading about bias lighting I learned that it is best to have a white, or light colored background behind your TV, well I live in an apartment and it is more like a wood paneling, so I'm out of luck there.

I decided to go budget and picked up a 60 watt replacement 6500k bulb to go with a lamp that you clamp onto, whatever you want. So I have the lamp shining at the wall, and my ceilings are painted white, the light shines about 15-20 inches on the ceiling. Is this a bad thing? I do like the effect, but I wish I simply had a white wall. The fact that it splays out beyond the TV, kind of bothers me, though it is easier on the eyes. Any thoughts?

Can you post a pic?

[DIGITALBATH]

IMG_0490[1].jpg

IMG_0495[1].jpg

IMG_0494[1].jpg

IMG_0492[1].jpg

Ok, I tried to show you top center, left right.

[igotcabada]

hard for me to tell what is going on here

[DavidAg02]

Originally Posted by igotcabada

hard for me to tell what is going on here

Same here...

There is no real wrong way to do bias lighting... but there sure are better alternatives to your scenario.

It sounds like you might be making the most of your situation though.

[ajvdbg]

Originally Posted by DIGITALBATH

So, in my reading about bias lighting I learned that it is best to have a white, or light colored background behind your TV, well I live in an apartment and it is more like a wood paneling, so I'm out of luck there.

I decided to go budget and picked up a 60 watt replacement 6500k bulb to go with a lamp that you clamp onto, whatever you want. So I have the lamp shining at the wall, and my ceilings are painted white, the light shines about 15-20 inches on the ceiling. Is this a bad thing? I do like the effect, but I wish I simply had a white wall. The fact that it splays out beyond the TV, kind of bothers me, though it is easier on the eyes. Any thoughts?

I have the same DIY solution...but I point the lamp toward the back of the TV to control the light output (the black of the TV back helps to absorb some of the light) which may help to minimize the effect of the wall color on the light. Perhaps worth a try...

[DIGITALBATH]

Sorry the pictures were so bad, I still haven't figured out editing the resolution. Ideally I want a tight range of light coming out from the TV and it seeps a little bit onto the ceiling, and on the sides. I'm sort of a perfectionist on a budget. I did watch a little more last night and I found that it really was easier on the eyes, and I started to notice the colors and dark blacks being a little bit enhanced, without the eye strain.

I still like the pitch black viewing environment, but we'll see, I'll try pointing it at the TV and see how that goes.

[ajvdbg]

Originally Posted by DIGITALBATH

Sorry the pictures were so bad, I still haven't figured out editing the resolution. Ideally I want a tight range of light coming out from the TV and it seeps a little bit onto the ceiling, and on the sides. I'm sort of a perfectionist on a budget. I did watch a little more last night and I found that it really was easier on the eyes, and I started to notice the colors and dark blacks being a little bit enhanced, without the eye strain.
I still like the pitch black viewing environment, but we'll see, I'll try pointing it at the TV and see how that goes.

This is what you are ultimately after so I would leave it as is...

[DavidAg02]

Maybe you could use one of these plug-in lamp dimmers to control the output a bit better.

http://www.lutron.com/lampdimmers/de...=17000&t=17200

Can be found at Home Depot/Lowes/etc.

[Alan Brown]

Originally Posted by DavidAg02

Same here...
There is no real wrong way to do bias lighting... but there sure are better alternatives to your scenario.

It sounds like you might be making the most of your situation though.

There is in fact a right way to do bias lighting as defined by world wide video standards organizations (ITU, ISO, SMPTE): http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1162578 . However, compromises are unavoidable in many circumstances. The challenge is to minimize the compromises. Studying the correct methodology is the only guide by which to gauge how far from the right way any given implementation has become. Perhaps you could consider using neutral colored acoustic absorbing panels behind your TV. This would have the added benefit of improving your sound system performance.

Best regards and beautiful pictures,
Alan Brown, President
CinemaQuest, Inc.
A Lion AV Consultants Affiliate

"Advancing the art and science of electronic imaging"

[Alan Brown]

Originally Posted by DavidAg02

Maybe you could use one of these plug-in lamp dimmers to control the output a bit better.

http://www.lutron.com/lampdimmers/de...=17000&t=17200

Can be found at Home Depot/Lowes/etc.

The lamp used by the OP is surely a fluorescent. Using conventional dimmers designed for incandescent lamps usually causes fluorescents to flicker erratically.