HDTV Size Help

Greetings all,

I need some advice on purchasing a new TV for my apartment. I currently
have a 32" CRT and I'm looking to upgrade to an HD flat panel. In my
living room, I'm seated about 8.5 to 9 feet from the screen. I know
there are plenty of sites with recommendations as to the optimal screen
size in HD for a given viewing distance. The catch for me is that I
have a wall unit with a maximum TV space of 36". A 32" TV fits just
fine there, but I'm concerned that might not be good enough for a 16:9
set. I think I might even lose screen real estate with a 32" flat panel
compared to my current 4:3 set.

So the questions I have a 1) Would a 32" LCD be a good enough
experience at a 9' viewing distance? 2) Are there any 37" TVs that can
fit into a 36" space? or 3) Is my only choice if I want an optimal
viewing experience to ditch my wall unit and buy a whole new TV stand
and media rack?

I'd really rather not have to go with #3 unless I have no choice, as
that probably will be the most expensive option. But I also don't want
to pay for a TV that gives me a less satisfying experience than what
I'm getting now with my current TV.

Thanks,
- Mike

wrote:
Greetings all,

I need some advice on purchasing a new TV for my apartment. I currently
have a 32" CRT and I'm looking to upgrade to an HD flat panel. In my
living room, I'm seated about 8.5 to 9 feet from the screen. I know
there are plenty of sites with recommendations as to the optimal screen
size in HD for a given viewing distance. The catch for me is that I
have a wall unit with a maximum TV space of 36". A 32" TV fits just
fine there, but I'm concerned that might not be good enough for a 16:9
set. I think I might even lose screen real estate with a 32" flat panel
compared to my current 4:3 set.

So the questions I have a 1) Would a 32" LCD be a good enough
experience at a 9' viewing distance? 2) Are there any 37" TVs that can
fit into a 36" space? or 3) Is my only choice if I want an optimal
viewing experience to ditch my wall unit and buy a whole new TV stand
and media rack?

I'd really rather not have to go with #3 unless I have no choice, as
that probably will be the most expensive option. But I also don't want
to pay for a TV that gives me a less satisfying experience than what
I'm getting now with my current TV.

Thanks,
- Mike


a 16x9 format TV in a 36 inch size will be plenty satisfying.

However, it does not meet the criteria for home theater at 8.5 to 9 foot
viewing range. You need to get MUCH bigger. Think in terms of how
large the image is when you sit halfway back in a movie theater. At 8
to 9 feet away, to create that same apparent screen size, its over 80
inches diagonal.

I watched a 55incher at the same distance for years. Great TV, but NOT a
replacement for a theater experience.

Check the dimensions carefully of your entertainment cabinet. You may
find that several of the 37" LCD/plasma sets will fit in that space,
particularly those that do not put speakers at the edge of the display.

On 23 Aug 2006 22:28:31 -0700, "
wrote:

Greetings all,

I need some advice on purchasing a new TV for my apartment. I currently
have a 32" CRT and I'm looking to upgrade to an HD flat panel. In my
living room, I'm seated about 8.5 to 9 feet from the screen. I know
there are plenty of sites with recommendations as to the optimal screen
size in HD for a given viewing distance. The catch for me is that I
have a wall unit with a maximum TV space of 36". A 32" TV fits just
fine there, but I'm concerned that might not be good enough for a 16:9
set. I think I might even lose screen real estate with a 32" flat panel
compared to my current 4:3 set.

So the questions I have a 1) Would a 32" LCD be a good enough
experience at a 9' viewing distance? 2) Are there any 37" TVs that can
fit into a 36" space? or 3) Is my only choice if I want an optimal
viewing experience to ditch my wall unit and buy a whole new TV stand
and media rack?

I'd really rather not have to go with #3 unless I have no choice, as
that probably will be the most expensive option. But I also don't want
to pay for a TV that gives me a less satisfying experience than what
I'm getting now with my current TV.

Thanks,
- Mike


Get the largest screen you can afford. Don't for the speakers!

On 23 Aug 2006 22:28:31 -0700, "
wrote:
So the questions I have a 1) Would a 32" LCD be a good enough
experience at a 9' viewing distance? 2) Are there any 37" TVs that can
fit into a 36" space? or 3) Is my only choice if I want an optimal
viewing experience to ditch my wall unit and buy a whole new TV stand
and media rack?
Go to http://www.crutchfield.com and look through Helpful info and
shopping tools. Look under HDTV.
And/or you can call them ( 1-800-217-1059 ) and ask for a copy of
their Fall 2006. Mine just came yesterday and it has a guide to help
with the questions you are asking.
And, NO, I don't work for them, nor do I have any financial connection
with them. Have found them to be helpful in the past.

I sit about 8.5 feet from a 32" Sony XBR LCD and it seems okay.
I definitely wouldn't like a smaller set, but a 37" set would be
better. Sharp makes a nice 37" LCD.

The dimensions of my entertainment system gives me EXACTLY 36" of space
for a TV. So far, it seems that a 32" LCD would be completely out of
the question, so my options are finding a 37" that can fit in that
space, or ditching the wall unit altogether.

"Buying as big as I can afford" means adding on the cost of a new TV
stand/console, plus eating the cost of the wall unit, which is
relatively new.

So the best possible option I've found is the Toshiba 37HL95, which is
exactly 36" wide. A bit of a tight fit, perhaps, but it could work.
Something 35" would be even better. Any suggestions out there?

Thanks,
- Mike


Robert Gammon wrote:
wrote:
Greetings all,

I need some advice on purchasing a new TV for my apartment. I currently
have a 32" CRT and I'm looking to upgrade to an HD flat panel. In my
living room, I'm seated about 8.5 to 9 feet from the screen. I know
there are plenty of sites with recommendations as to the optimal screen
size in HD for a given viewing distance. The catch for me is that I
have a wall unit with a maximum TV space of 36". A 32" TV fits just
fine there, but I'm concerned that might not be good enough for a 16:9
set. I think I might even lose screen real estate with a 32" flat panel
compared to my current 4:3 set.

So the questions I have a 1) Would a 32" LCD be a good enough
experience at a 9' viewing distance? 2) Are there any 37" TVs that can
fit into a 36" space? or 3) Is my only choice if I want an optimal
viewing experience to ditch my wall unit and buy a whole new TV stand
and media rack?

I'd really rather not have to go with #3 unless I have no choice, as
that probably will be the most expensive option. But I also don't want
to pay for a TV that gives me a less satisfying experience than what
I'm getting now with my current TV.

Thanks,
- Mike


a 16x9 format TV in a 36 inch size will be plenty satisfying.

However, it does not meet the criteria for home theater at 8.5 to 9 foot
viewing range. You need to get MUCH bigger. Think in terms of how
large the image is when you sit halfway back in a movie theater. At 8
to 9 feet away, to create that same apparent screen size, its over 80
inches diagonal.

I watched a 55incher at the same distance for years. Great TV, but NOT a
replacement for a theater experience.

Check the dimensions carefully of your entertainment cabinet. You may
find that several of the 37" LCD/plasma sets will fit in that space,
particularly those that do not put speakers at the edge of the display.

I don't know of any 35" LCD's. Seems to be a progression of 32", 37" and
40".
The Toshiba is a nice LCD and a good value. It's one of the last
Toshiba "made in Japan" LCD's. I understand next years models will be
farmed out to Chinese companies.
If you want to keep your wall unit, you might want to go that route.
In the LCD game, only the top name brand models have a good picture.
I've found the cheap Chinese knock-offs to have a very poor contrast
ratio and viewing angle.
Kevin

Kevin Hawerchuk wrote:
I don't know of any 35" LCD's. Seems to be a progression of 32", 37" and
40".
The Toshiba is a nice LCD and a good value. It's one of the last
Toshiba "made in Japan" LCD's. I understand next years models will be
farmed out to Chinese companies.
If you want to keep your wall unit, you might want to go that route.
In the LCD game, only the top name brand models have a good picture.
I've found the cheap Chinese knock-offs to have a very poor contrast
ratio and viewing angle.
Kevin

Not true - read up plenty before picking up a 32" Olympia LCD. Can't
say what qualifies Chinese knockoffs (there's definately others I
wouldn't want), but Syntax-Olympia isn't one of them when I considered
value pricing. The Olympia has a favorable impression among its owners
when considering units going $400-$800 or more. Overall, I'm one of
them and satisfied. Dubs nicely for multiple source inputs from a PC
monitor entertainment center, and viewing angle side to side is fine
- looking over and down on it is another story, but mine's set low to
floor. Nothing wrong with contrast, either - much needed fine contrast
settings, being it's merciless with source material (if it's not good
encoding, bring down contrast and brighten the picture). Black and
darkset scenes is the only area where I'm finding what I didn't expect,
setting up gama or gray details - but that may be generic to a nature
of LCD viewing. I don't subscribe to any air or satellite streaming -
I read what's news and watch discs. Where boutique pricing comes in,
is going to be in warantee issues and perhaps quality control.
Hardcall there (some unhappy reviewers in that department) but -
runtime's, what?, 70,000 hour on LCDs ... should have a least awhile
before it breaks, hopefully. For $700 I can afford to baby it, knock
on wood. $2000 for a 32" LCD... I think not. What the hell, if
Toshiba were the only thing going, at twice or more to match what I
paid for this Olympia, I'd still be watching a Sanyo CRT.

Kevin Hawerchuk wrote:
I sit about 8.5 feet from a 32" Sony XBR LCD and it seems okay.
I definitely wouldn't like a smaller set, but a 37" set would be
better. Sharp makes a nice 37" LCD.

I forgot the formula for 4:3 letterbox, but .5 x a 16:9 WS unit's
diagnal measurement is going to be close (a little less) to the unit's
height.

and larger lcds displays, they say, the closer you are to them is a
disadvantage because of a pixel aspect of lcd viewing. there is an
optimal viewing distance for screen size, even though it may not be one
a bigger is better persuasion follows

smaller, no wouldn't want that either. but i sit the same w/ a 32" but
don't see an advantage to a 37". detail, everthying else is adequate
and not much point to going larger. i run XP at 800x600 where text is
comfortable (few basic utilities, rest is music and video players).

wrote:
So the questions I have a 1) Would a 32" LCD be a good enough
experience at a 9' viewing distance? 2) Are there any 37" TVs that can
fit into a 36" space? or 3) Is my only choice if I want an optimal
viewing experience to ditch my wall unit and buy a whole new TV stand
and media rack?

I went from a 27" CRT to a 32" widescreen LCD. The 32" is big, wiped
out a shelf formerly divided with other equipment. Takes up all the
lower shelf now. Needed a little sawing and drilling, too. Get the LCD
set's measurements (including the stand) off the factory or a sales
websit, and measure it all out carefully. That's what I had to do (for
as little work as possible afterwards). Really want the 37" ? - OK,
then measure and build accordingly. The PDFs I looked at for various
LCDs, most include explicit set dimensions for that sort of thing.

An option you don't mention. LCDs may be wall mounted, into a stud
behind the drywall. $100 for the wall mounting unit. I've metal tools
and can probably make one. The entertainment route is better for me,
though. There are studies on eye stress and vertical viewing angles.
If your eyes are constantly focused on an object high up on the wall
(whambam type action flic) - they don't blink naturally, dry out and
get fatigued. Or, maybe that's why I fall asleep during movies,
because mine's nearer the floor.

I'd really rather not have to go with #3 unless I have no choice, as
that probably will be the most expensive option. But I also don't want
to pay for a TV that gives me a less satisfying experience than what
I'm getting now with my current TV.

There's a saying, mostly - you won't want to go back.