Best Viewing Distance ? - Blu-ray Forum

Video Master · 08-01-2008, 06:15 AM

I am about to buy a plasma or LCD and I was wondering what the best viewing distance for a 40 tv or bigger would be, I'm in a small apt an the couch seat is 5 and a half feet from the screen.

The other problem I have is Plasma vs LCD. I hate all of the pixelated and washy video that you normally see on an LCD. Would it be better to just go with a plasma to avoid that problem? My girlfriend has a 42 inch Panasonic Plamsa hooked up to only SD and the picture looks amazing!

Finally, I'm into style and these ugly black glossy cabinets just dont cut it for me. Is there anybody that makes a nice charcoal or grey Plasma or LCD?

This is what it might look like:

JasonR · 08-01-2008, 06:19 AM

?

You forgot a question mark.

theprophecy247 · 08-01-2008, 06:25 AM

chart says it all

Video Master · 08-01-2008, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theprophecy247

chart says it all

Nice chart but it really doesn't answer my questions.

JasonR · 08-01-2008, 07:20 AM

Well, your questions.

The chart should answer your first one.

If you are looking at above 40 inch get a plasma (i.e. Panasonic or Pioneer, or a NICE LCD (i.e. Samsung or Sony).

My Sony is charcoal, it is about a year and a half out. Gloss is the new thing, good luck finding something besides that.

Gimpenstein · 08-01-2008, 08:21 AM

As a general rule you should be seated 3 times the diaganol measurement of the screen.
I have a Samsung LCD with a white cabinet in the bedroom which looks quite nice

BigFoot · 08-01-2008, 09:24 AM

^ I have to disagree. I find 2x the viewing distance just right for SD.

Deciazulado · 08-01-2008, 09:59 AM

And I like to sit near 2PH (2 times the image's picture height) for that cinema feel.

BigFoot · 08-01-2008, 11:27 AM

^ Yeah, I find 2PH (or approximately 1x the diagonal) perfect for HD:

dmwiley · 08-01-2008, 11:43 AM

Sorry these guys have not helped. First, you must start with your visual acuity. The appropriate distance will be directly affected by what you can see at a given distance. If you have "normal" vision, 20/20 unaided or corrected, somewhere between 2 and 3 times screen size seems to work well for many people. Although LCDs are closing the gap, plasmas still have better black levels and all things being equal, produce the better, i.e., more life like, images. But if your viewing room is brightly lit and/or you are a serious gamer, LCD might be a better choice. The better quality LCDs can display outstanding pictures.

Deciazulado · 08-01-2008, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmwiley

Sorry these guys have not helped.

heh

Beta Man · 08-01-2008, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigFoot

^ Yeah, I find 2PH (or approximately 1x the diagonal) perfect for HD:

This is the formula I would use..... in a perfect world..... but I set my viewing distance based on physical room limitations, and personal preferences.....

My current setup, is FAR from ideal..... I'm actually viewing a television on the West wall, sitting on a sofa that faces directly South.....

rghuxley · 08-01-2008, 12:49 PM

I have also heard what do you intend to use the tv for mainly. If it is for gaming then LCD is the way to go. If you watch a lot of movies then plasma is the way to go. I watch a lot of movies, so I picked up the new Panasonic 50px80u Plasma. It's a 50" tv and got it for $1,399.00 from BB (they price matched HH Gregg). I love this tv. It is beautiful and crisp picture. I have had 3 of my friends come over and see the TV and went out and bought one themselves. I sit about 10 or 11 feet away from it and the picture is just awesome.

Also I might add that I purchased a Bello Flat TV Mounting entertainment system (you can view it here
http://www.bello.com/index.php?parti...23&categ_id=39

THis really was nice as I can fit my receiver, blu-ray, HD DVR, and DVD-RW all on the shelves. It's open so my Onkyo 605 can let out the heat it puts off. Again, i could go on and on about this Panasonic tv. I love it!!! One of the best purchases I ever made and I have ZERO regrets. Matched up with the Bello, you room could look really sharp!

haste · 08-01-2008, 04:59 PM

http://myhometheater.homestead.com/v...alculator.html

that should help you out.

My_Two_Cents · 08-01-2008, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Video Master

The other problem I have is Plasma vs LCD. I hate all of the pixelated and washy video that you normally see on an LCD. Would it be better to just go with a plasma to avoid that problem? My girlfriend has a 42 inch Panasonic Plamsa hooked up to only SD and the picture looks amazing!

I think you answered your own question....

Plasma all the way

saprano · 08-01-2008, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deciazulado

And I like to sit near 2PH (2 times the image's picture height) for that cinema feel.

Can you explain further? i sit about 2 to 3 feet from my 40" set.

haste · 08-01-2008, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saprano

Can you explain further? i sit about 2 to 3 feet from my 40" set.

too close! you should be about 5-6 feet for 1080p movie viewing. even further back for 720p and lower.

saprano · 08-01-2008, 08:18 PM

I know about the 6 feet for 40" sets but i like sitting close.

kingofgrills · 08-01-2008, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saprano

Can you explain further? i sit about 2 to 3 feet from my 40" set.

OMG I just got a brain-piercing headache reading your response. 2 to 3 feet is waaay toooo cloooose. For that size picture, 2 to 3 yard would be more appropriate.

Deciazulado · 08-01-2008, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saprano

Can you explain further? i sit about 2 to 3 feet from my 40" set.

saprano, if you're sitting at 2 feet from the 16:9 40" you're sitting at about 1.25 PH for Academy/Standard Widescreen 1.37-1.85 movies and about 1.6 PH for Scope 2.35-2.40 movies

At 3 feet you're sitting about 1.9 PH for Academy/Standard Widescreen 1.37-1.85 movies and about 2.5 PH for Scope 2.35-2.40 movies

So for 2 PH for Academy/Standard Widescreen 1.37-1.85 movies, 3 feet; and for Scope 2.35-2.40 movies, 2.5 feet.

If you sit farther than 4 feet for Scope movies and 6 feet for Academy/Standard Widescreen movies you'd be watching them from the theater's lobby

ta ta ta and before anyone says anything, I think bdprologue looks sharper than the average iMax

08-01-2008, 06:15 AM	#1
Video Master Banned Member since:May 2008 Location:Hollywood, CA	Best Viewing Distance ? I am about to buy a plasma or LCD and I was wondering what the best viewing distance for a 40 tv or bigger would be, I'm in a small apt an the couch seat is 5 and a half feet from the screen. The other problem I have is Plasma vs LCD. I hate all of the pixelated and washy video that you normally see on an LCD. Would it be better to just go with a plasma to avoid that problem? My girlfriend has a 42 inch Panasonic Plamsa hooked up to only SD and the picture looks amazing! Finally, I'm into style and these ugly black glossy cabinets just dont cut it for me. Is there anybody that makes a nice charcoal or grey Plasma or LCD? This is what it might look like:

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08-01-2008, 06:19 AM	#2
JasonR Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Trading Score:12	? You forgot a question mark.

08-01-2008, 06:25 AM	#3
theprophecy247 Special Member Member since:May 2008 Location:Shadow Moses Islands Blu-ray collection:42 Blu-ray reviews:5	chart says it all

08-01-2008, 07:20 AM	#5
JasonR Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Trading Score:12	Well, your questions. The chart should answer your first one. If you are looking at above 40 inch get a plasma (i.e. Panasonic or Pioneer, or a NICE LCD (i.e. Samsung or Sony). My Sony is charcoal, it is about a year and a half out. Gloss is the new thing, good luck finding something besides that.

08-01-2008, 09:24 AM	#7
BigFoot Blu-ray Guru Member since:Nov 2007 Location:Slovenia (EU) Home Theater Gallery:20 4K collection:77 Blu-ray collection:484 DVD collection:299	^ I have to disagree. I find 2x the viewing distance just right for SD.

08-01-2008, 09:59 AM	#8
Deciazulado Site Manager Top contributor Member since:Aug 2006 Location:USiberia Home Theater Gallery:6 4K collection:1159 Blu-ray collection:7044 DVD collection:4040	And I like to sit near 2PH (2 times the image's picture height) for that cinema feel.

08-01-2008, 11:27 AM	#9
BigFoot Blu-ray Guru Member since:Nov 2007 Location:Slovenia (EU) Home Theater Gallery:20 4K collection:77 Blu-ray collection:484 DVD collection:299	^ Yeah, I find 2PH (or approximately 1x the diagonal) perfect for HD:

08-01-2008, 11:43 AM	#10
dmwiley Member Member since:Oct 2007 Blu-ray reviews:12	Sorry these guys have not helped. First, you must start with your visual acuity. The appropriate distance will be directly affected by what you can see at a given distance. If you have "normal" vision, 20/20 unaided or corrected, somewhere between 2 and 3 times screen size seems to work well for many people. Although LCDs are closing the gap, plasmas still have better black levels and all things being equal, produce the better, i.e., more life like, images. But if your viewing room is brightly lit and/or you are a serious gamer, LCD might be a better choice. The better quality LCDs can display outstanding pictures.

08-01-2008, 12:49 PM	#13
rghuxley Active Member Member since:May 2008 Blu-ray collection:505 Blu-ray reviews:5	I have also heard what do you intend to use the tv for mainly. If it is for gaming then LCD is the way to go. If you watch a lot of movies then plasma is the way to go. I watch a lot of movies, so I picked up the new Panasonic 50px80u Plasma. It's a 50" tv and got it for $1,399.00 from BB (they price matched HH Gregg). I love this tv. It is beautiful and crisp picture. I have had 3 of my friends come over and see the TV and went out and bought one themselves. I sit about 10 or 11 feet away from it and the picture is just awesome. Also I might add that I purchased a Bello Flat TV Mounting entertainment system (you can view it here http://www.bello.com/index.php?parti...23&categ_id=39 THis really was nice as I can fit my receiver, blu-ray, HD DVR, and DVD-RW all on the shelves. It's open so my Onkyo 605 can let out the heat it puts off. Again, i could go on and on about this Panasonic tv. I love it!!! One of the best purchases I ever made and I have ZERO regrets. Matched up with the Bello, you room could look really sharp!

08-01-2008, 04:59 PM	#14
haste Senior Member Member since:Aug 2007 Blu-ray collection:87 Blu-ray reviews:1	http://myhometheater.homestead.com/v...alculator.html that should help you out.

08-01-2008, 08:18 PM	#18
saprano Blu-ray Champion Top contributor Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Bronx, New York Blu-ray collection:495 Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:9	I know about the 6 feet for 40" sets but i like sitting close.

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