In article ,
says...
I use a spotlight (75w or so) with a reflector, pointing up and back at the
beige colored painted wall behind the TV. This indirect lighting works very
well for me, and I see no need for a special color temp bulb. ...

While it is true that just about any color backlight will reduce
eyestrain compared to viewing in a dark room, it is also true that
the color temperature of the backlight will affect the preceived
colors of the screen image, due to the way the human eye works. The
more the background differs from a 6500K gray, the larger the effct.
A fluorescent light reflecting off a matte off-white/gray wall is the
best situation. 6500K fluorescents are available (
http://www.cinemaquestinc.com/ )

But incandescent off beige is surely better than dark, even if it is
2500-3000K.

/Chris

I bought a 18inch 20w flourescent light at Home Depot and used velcro
to secure the fixture to the back of my tv; so that the light faces
the wall.

Inexpensive and works well for me.


Chris Thomas wrote in message om...
Watching TV in a dark room yields a good picture, but the contrast
between a completely dark room and even a properly detorched TV is
too high to be comfortable. I assume I need some sort of
backlighting on the wall behind the TV. What do people use? I assume
I want something in the 6500K range, which would imply a fluorescent
rather than an incandecent light, but fluorescents don't typically
work with a dimmer, and I'd like an adjustable source.

Suggestions?

I bought a 18inch 20w flourescent light at Home Depot and used velcro
to secure the fixture to the back of my tv; so that the light faces
the wall.

Inexpensive and works well for me.


Chris Thomas wrote in message om...
Watching TV in a dark room yields a good picture, but the contrast
between a completely dark room and even a properly detorched TV is
too high to be comfortable. I assume I need some sort of
backlighting on the wall behind the TV. What do people use? I assume
I want something in the 6500K range, which would imply a fluorescent
rather than an incandecent light, but fluorescents don't typically
work with a dimmer, and I'd like an adjustable source.

Suggestions?

"Chris Thomas" wrote in message
m...
In article ,
says...
I use a spotlight (75w or so) with a reflector, pointing up and back at
the
beige colored painted wall behind the TV. This indirect lighting works
very
well for me, and I see no need for a special color temp bulb. ...

While it is true that just about any color backlight will reduce
eyestrain compared to viewing in a dark room, it is also true that
the color temperature of the backlight will affect the preceived
colors of the screen image, due to the way the human eye works. The
more the background differs from a 6500K gray, the larger the effct.
A fluorescent light reflecting off a matte off-white/gray wall is the
best situation. 6500K fluorescents are available (
http://www.cinemaquestinc.com/ )

This is very true, but remember, the human visual system is highly adaptive.
The perceptual system accommodates subtle differences quite well and adapts
to a range of color temperatures so that whites "seem" white even when they
are not. The versatility of the human visual system works both ways. The
bottom line is, try to keep things correct if possible, but if your system
looks good to you don't think you have to completely redo your home.

Also see the site www.smpte.org for Recommended Practice Document #166,
IIRC.

Leonard Caillouet

"Chris Thomas" wrote in message
m...
In article ,
says...
I use a spotlight (75w or so) with a reflector, pointing up and back at
the
beige colored painted wall behind the TV. This indirect lighting works
very
well for me, and I see no need for a special color temp bulb. ...

While it is true that just about any color backlight will reduce
eyestrain compared to viewing in a dark room, it is also true that
the color temperature of the backlight will affect the preceived
colors of the screen image, due to the way the human eye works. The
more the background differs from a 6500K gray, the larger the effct.
A fluorescent light reflecting off a matte off-white/gray wall is the
best situation. 6500K fluorescents are available (
http://www.cinemaquestinc.com/ )

This is very true, but remember, the human visual system is highly adaptive.
The perceptual system accommodates subtle differences quite well and adapts
to a range of color temperatures so that whites "seem" white even when they
are not. The versatility of the human visual system works both ways. The
bottom line is, try to keep things correct if possible, but if your system
looks good to you don't think you have to completely redo your home.

Also see the site www.smpte.org for Recommended Practice Document #166,
IIRC.

Leonard Caillouet