Size TV I should get?

I currently have a Toshiba 30 inch TV (standard definition) and am going to
get a HD TV in the next month or so.

My computer desk is about 6 feet from the TV, but the couches where I would
watch from are 10-12 feet away.

I don't want a TV that is too small or too big, so what size HDTV should I
get???

Dave Phillips wrote:
I currently have a Toshiba 30 inch TV (standard definition) and am going to
get a HD TV in the next month or so.

My computer desk is about 6 feet from the TV, but the couches where I would
watch from are 10-12 feet away.

I don't want a TV that is too small or too big, so what size HDTV should I
get???


For starters, if you want the same screen height on a 16:9 widescreen
HDTV as you currently get on the 30" 4:3, you need to get a 37" widescreen.

Why? 4:3 screen height = 0.6 * diagonal. 16:9 screen height = 0.49 *
diagonal. 0.6 / 0.49 = 1.22. So 1.22 * 30" = 36.6".

However the advantage of HD and even DVDs is that they hold up better
to big screen sizes that analog broadcast SD. I have a 42" Panasonic
plasma. If I had to buy a new HD TV now, I would get a 50" as the
minimum size. Movies in HD look more "movie-like" on a 50" or bigger
screen. But you have to decide what will fit into your living room and
your budget.

Alan F

Dave Phillips wrote:
I currently have a Toshiba 30 inch TV (standard definition) and am
going to
get a HD TV in the next month or so.

My computer desk is about 6 feet from the TV, but the couches where
I would
watch from are 10-12 feet away.

I don't want a TV that is too small or too big, so what size HDTV
should I
get???

In Dec of '03 we changed from a 35" Mitsubishi to a 50" Samsung DLP,
about 12 ft away. My only complaint is it isn't a 61" (or 72" !). You
won't be looking at those old analog shortcomings in the picture, just
big, bright clean detail. No more size change vs brightness, no more
convergence errors, no more ghosts, ringing, ignition noise. After you
get used to clean, it's hard to go back to what was once 'good'.

GG

Consumers' Reports said to get the biggest screen that your budget allows.
--
C and A Bredt
"Dave Phillips" wrote in message
...
I currently have a Toshiba 30 inch TV (standard definition) and am going to
get a HD TV in the next month or so.

My computer desk is about 6 feet from the TV, but the couches where I
would watch from are 10-12 feet away.

I don't want a TV that is too small or too big, so what size HDTV should I
get???

In my case TV size was based on budget and the question:

Do I want a room for the TV or a TV for the room ?

On Wed, 23 Aug 2006 03:34:53 GMT, JimK wrote:

On Tue, 22 Aug 2006 22:26:56 -0400, "Dave Phillips"
wrote:

....
I don't want a TV that is too small or too big, so what size HDTV should I
get???


HDTV, DISH Network recommend seven (7") inches screen size for every
viewing foot (12")

I'm 9 1/2 feet from a 60xbr1 (60") and the HDTV image is quite
impressive.
http://www.myhometheater.homestead.c...alculator.html

Depending on if the type of screen is a direct view with sharp pixels
(Plasma/LCD-panel) I would add a concideration of pixel size.

I see in the bottom of the above linked page, a calculation of
"Viewing Distances based on Visual Acuity". The result is at what
distance a human eye can resolv the pixels.

My consideration is based on that but instead of aiming for the
ability to 'see' the pixels, my meaning is that we shall not sit so
close that the (sharp) pixels of the panel can be resolved.

Instead, I recomend a minimum viewing distance (or panel size) based
on that the pixels shall blend together to form smooth lines and
edges.

I have come to a rule of thumb (for these type of panels) that this
happens at about a distance of 4000 * (pixel size). It corresponds
rather well with the guidline that human eye can resolve the pixels at
about 3400*(pixel size).

4000 * (pixel size) gives:
A 1920x1080 panel at 10 feet distance could be up to 65".
A 1366x768 panel at 10 feet distance could be up to 46".

Using projection, the pixels are not that sharp so a closer distance
is possible.

Then it could be that the lower quality of upsampled SD also should be
considered in order to be watchable.
/Jan

"Dave Phillips" wrote

.... the couches where I would watch from are 10-12 feet away.
....what size HDTV should I get?

A common recommendation is the viewing distance is 2 1/2 times the screen
diagonal. That translates to 48 inches for 10 feet, 58 inches for 12.

Some people prefer a larger screen than that, and you can go to a store and
see what you like and what fits your budget. I sit 11 feet from my 52 inch
JVC and it works fine. I could go one size bigger, but feel no great need.
It's important to remember that the bigger the screen, the more noticeable
the imperfections.

Love your reply.

When we got our 50" Sony and put it on the stand it did seem like it was
taking over the room. We quickly got used to it and love it.

--
C and A Bredt
"Steve Stone" wrote in message
...
In my case TV size was based on budget and the question:

Do I want a room for the TV or a TV for the room ?

Dave Phillips wrote:
I currently have a Toshiba 30 inch TV (standard definition) and am going to
get a HD TV in the next month or so.

My computer desk is about 6 feet from the TV, but the couches where I would
watch from are 10-12 feet away.

I don't want a TV that is too small or too big, so what size HDTV should I
get???

Dave,

I'm 10' away from my 50" panny plasma and it still blows me
away.....Make sure you also setup your tv for surround sound. Totally
Awesome!!!!

"Dave Phillips" wrote in message
...
I currently have a Toshiba 30 inch TV (standard definition) and am going to
get a HD TV in the next month or so.

My computer desk is about 6 feet from the TV, but the couches where I
would watch from are 10-12 feet away.

I don't want a TV that is too small or too big, so what size HDTV should I
get???


Think the 2.5 times rule still works. so for 11 feet, try something close
to 52 inch.