3D TV question.

[Carcuss]

Hey guys. Don't know if this is the appropriate forum, please move if necessary. I want to get opinions on what would be the minimum size for a 3d tv. I am currently watching a "32 Panasonic LCD. Around mid year i am looking to upgrade to 3d. I don't have much space in my studio room to put an enormous tv in there. What would be the bare minimum size tv to buy to get full impact of the 3d feature.
Cheers,
Mark.

[slimdude]

The mod will move this thread to the Display forum, but anyway, a 42 -50 inch is sufficient, depending on the size of your room. Most likely a 50 inch! With 3D or 2D, the bigger the better, that's with any HDTV, that a room can accommodate without the screen being too overbearing. Do you anticipate that you'll be moving into a bigger place anytime soon? If so, you may want to wait until you move, to buy a new TV afterwards, then you can get the biggest screen that you can afford, according to the size of the new living quarters.

[Nommag]

I have a 55inch 3d TV and I wish it was bigger, sometimes the size limits the 3d effect. TBH I wouldn't go below 55", 60-65 would be preferable.

[beechy]

3D IMO the bigger is better

How far away would you be seated ?

[gettodamoofies]

Originally Posted by Nommag

I have a 55inch 3d TV and I wish it was bigger, sometimes the size limits the 3d effect. TBH I wouldn't go below 55", 60-65 would be preferable.

Agreed.

It really is all to do with viewing distance. Most people view from too far away because of the nature of room sizes and configurations. In that case the bigger the better. It's important to remember that 3D works because you're getting perspective displayed on the screen. If you can see the surrounding room and items in it that might lessen the impact of the depth showing on the screen. Basically for 3D you want to fill your field of vision or as close as possible. This principle applies to 2D viewing as well, though it's not dependent on it in the same way as 3D is.

Recommended viewing distances vary based on where you look and who's saying it but general recommendations from organisations and companies such as THX and other calibration specialists state a 1.3:1 ratio is ideal from what I recall. Some state closer, others a little further away. I did some investigation before building my home theatre and settled on a 1.1:1 ratio (100" or 254cm screen viewed at 280cm) and I can tell you that for me it is perfect. The screen fills your vision without the edges bleeding too far into peripheral vision. In my opinion anything more than that ratio will only result in the viewer losing focus on important info on the screen. Anything further away and you'll start to see things in the room start to enter significant portions of your peripheral vision.

So, if you're seriously considering going 3D I would recommend that you purchase a screen that is around a 1.3:1 ratio or so meaning that if you bought a 55" (140cm) screen you'd be sitting around 180cm away. You'll likely find this is a LOT closer than where you are sitting as if it's a living room setup most people are 2-3m away from their screens. If that is the case, all I can say is go as big as you can afford.

As for 3D, I enjoy it though it's not a "must have" for me which I know sounds funny considering I own a 3D projector. I'm very picky when it comes to 3D. I won't just buy the 3D version for the hell of it - conversions are often an issue and I find aspect ratios to be an issue too. Although 3D works for 2.39:1 aspect ratio films I find that the effect works best on films lensed at 1.85:1. Again, it's all about filling the field of vision and 2.39:1 films don't fill your field of vision as naturally due to the shape of them.

[Carcuss]

Thanks guys for the advice. I share a house with my elderly
parents and my recording studio is my TV room. Anything
bigger than 42" to 46" would be the biggest I could fit. I sit
6 feet away from the screen and listen with Sony wireless
headphones. I'm currently monitoring the price of a 42"
Panasonic. With the 6 foot seat directly in front, would the
42" suffice?
Cheers,
Mark 📺🎦

[gettodamoofies]

^ 42" would likely be a little too small. Your viewing distance to screen ratio would be 1.8:1. With a 46" your ratio would be 1.55:1 which is much improved but still not quite there in the "perfect" world. Still, if that's as large as you can go then I'd definitely say go the 46" and not the 42".

At a viewing distance of 72" a 55" screen would net you a ratio of 1.3:1 and a 60" screen a 1.2:1 ratio so in that perfect world I'd be saying that's the size you should get based on viewing distance. Either of those would be very nice and provide a great immersive viewing experience but if your room doesn't allow for it then I'd just get as big a screen as you can fit.