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Home Theater => Displays => Flat Panels => Topic started by: -sniper- on Jan 24, 2010 at 04:42 PM

Title: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: -sniper- on Jan 24, 2010 at 04:42 PM
good day peeps!

just want to ask if viewing distance is relevant for a flat panel choice.

if it is, would a 32incher be a good enough choice for a viewing distance of between 3 and 8 feet? it will be used for cable and standard dvd viewing.

thanks in advance. :)
Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: fakuryu on Jan 24, 2010 at 05:11 PM
That would be just fine, pero sana 9-12 feet ang distance pero masasanay ka din.
Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: oReOsHaKe on Jan 24, 2010 at 05:20 PM
Here's a Viewing Distance Calculator:

http://myhometheater.homestead.com/viewingdistancecalculator.html (http://myhometheater.homestead.com/viewingdistancecalculator.html)
Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: iiinas on Jan 24, 2010 at 05:54 PM
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4286438434_d3fda9cb98_o.jpg)

here are the smpte and thx recos.  :D
Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: av_phile1 on Jan 24, 2010 at 06:55 PM
Appreciating HD on your LCD/Plamsa means seating closer. the graph above confirms what is often the best viewing distance of a 32" TV as being about 4-5ft.    I prefer to seat closer at 3 ft to get a wider viewing angle.

Forget about what you've heard are the recommended viewing distances on a CRT TVs that suffer eye-straining flicker especially at close distances.  They no longer apply when watching flicker free LCD TVs.  
Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: Arnel E. on Jan 24, 2010 at 10:20 PM
Forget about what you've heard are the recommended viewing distance on a CRT TVs that suffer eye-straining flicker especially at close distances.  They no longer apply when watching flicker free LCD TVs. 

+1 on this.  The closer the bigger the image, and the bigger the image the better the cinematic experience.  Just take it easy on the contrast settings.  In my bedroom, my 32" LCD is viewed from around 4 feet max.  I even feel that a 42" would still be comfortable in that setup, but it's my pocket that's not comfortable with buying a 42" Full HD.
Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: CeeV on Jan 24, 2010 at 10:42 PM
 ;D I also agree with the pocket theory + the actual dimension limitation where it would be installed. The bigger the better tlaga...
Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: -sniper- on Jan 25, 2010 at 10:31 AM
thanks a lot! i guess 42inch is the way to go. but, as sirs arnel enero and ceev put it, pocket problems make it hard for me to immediately buy a 42inch panel. perhaps, i would need a lot more patience to finally get a 42inch panel. for now i only have a budget for a 32incher.
Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: dips15 on Jan 25, 2010 at 11:45 AM
thanks a lot! i guess 42inch is the way to go. but, as sirs arnel enero and ceev put it, pocket problems make it hard for me to immediately buy a 42inch panel. perhaps, i would need a lot more patience to finally get a 42inch panel. for now i only have a budget for a 32incher.

Don't take the chart literally.  Between 3-8 feet, a 32 inch should do nicely.  I used to have a 32" from a distance of around 9-10 feet for a few years before upgrading to a 42 incher.  Both looked quite nicely.  Of course once you get used to the 42", the 32" just looks so small.  
Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: -sniper- on Jan 25, 2010 at 03:02 PM
Don't take the chart literally.  Between 3-8 feet, a 32 inch should do nicely.  I used to have a 32" from a distance of around 9-10 feet for a few years before upgrading to a 42 incher.  Both looked quite nicely.  Of course once you get used to the 42", the 32" just looks so small.  

thanks. as much as possible, i would not want to hear myself saying "i should have gotten a 42incher instead". a jump from a 21"CRT to a 32" flat panel is a big leap already. but i'm still in the process of weighing "the bigger, the better" on the one hand and "this is what my budget permits right now" on the other. i really want a 42" but for now, i only have enough for a 32". and for me to obtain the price difference is not that easy. thus, i'm still trying to convince myself to go ahead with a 32incher. but something always tells me not to.

Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: Arnel E. on Jan 25, 2010 at 10:15 PM
thanks. as much as possible, i would not want to hear myself saying "i should have gotten a 42incher instead". a jump from a 21"CRT to a 32" flat panel is a big leap already. but i'm still in the process of weighing "the bigger, the better" on the one hand and "this is what my budget permits right now" on the other. i really want a 42" but for now, i only have enough for a 32". and for me to obtain the price difference is not that easy. thus, i'm still trying to convince myself to go ahead with a 32incher. but something always tells me not to.

Well we can all theorize about this and that being the optimal viewing distance for this or that screen size, but the fact of the matter is, at the end of the day we all have budgets to live with.  For me, since you have some money to spare right now, go buy the best that your money can afford, and don't wait for the next bigger thing to be within your budget (unless your budget is expected to grow soon).  I'd rather have a perfectly nice 32" LCD right now, than stick with my old, small TV hoping I can afford a much-bigger 42" screen soon.  I would just imagine how much movies and TV shows I would've enjoyed instead, on the shiny new 32" screen, during that waiting period.

Go get that 32" now, especially now that this screen size is currently the near-saturation point in terms of inches-to-peso ratio. 
Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: Clondalkin on Jan 26, 2010 at 10:33 AM
Personal guideline ko sa maximum size:  As long as I can carry or move it alone, then it's fine.  ;)  which means the biggest I can get is a 50V.   ;D  Big is really nice - as long as the budget permits.  

32V can be pretty huge if you sit close enough - and since you're upgrading from a 21 inch TV, it would feel like a huge leap especially during the 1st few days.

Problema lang na once you get used to 32V, you'd dream of 42V or bigger soon enough.  Ganon talaga yon.  Tapos you might be tempted to get another panel tech instead of what you got.   If you think you can possibly save more to afford a 42V within 1.5 years, I would strongly suggest that you wait.

...and speaking of plasma, the way Panasonic is hurriedly trying to sell out their current models, it appears to me that the next models coming out soon would be significantly better. 
Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: -sniper- on Jan 26, 2010 at 10:55 AM
I'd rather have a perfectly nice 32" LCD right now, than stick with my old, small TV hoping I can afford a much-bigger 42" screen soon.  I would just imagine how much movies and TV shows I would've enjoyed instead, on the shiny new 32" screen, during that waiting period.

this is what i've been telling myself lately. :P


Problema lang na once you get used to 32V, you'd dream of 42V or bigger soon enough.

and this is what stops me.  ;D


...and speaking of plasma, the way Panasonic is hurriedly trying to sell out their current models, it appears to me that the next models coming out soon would be significantly better. 

and, perhaps, cheaper. if i observed correctly, the introductory price of the new panasonic plasmas has been cheaper than the previous ones ("PV" series to the "C" Series). i'm hoping that the introductory price of the new model/series the panasonic will release this year would also be cheaper than that of the "C" series.

 
Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: barrister on Jan 26, 2010 at 11:44 AM
- and since you're upgrading from a 21 inch TV, it would feel like a huge leap especially during the 1st few days. ...

Totoo yan. 

Pag bago ang TV mo, feeling mo parang ang laki.  Unfortunately, good for 1 week lang ang feeling na yan ...  :D 
Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: -sniper- on Jan 27, 2010 at 09:58 AM
Totoo yan. 

Pag bago ang TV mo, feeling mo parang ang laki.  Unfortunately, good for 1 week lang ang feeling na yan ...  :D 

that's what i'm afraid of. then you'll say: ang liit pala.  :P

Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: blackie on Jan 27, 2010 at 10:16 AM
Totoo yan. 

Pag bago ang TV mo, feeling mo parang ang laki.  Unfortunately, good for 1 week lang ang feeling na yan ...  :D 

"I gotta feeling......" ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: Arnel E. on Jan 28, 2010 at 01:15 PM
Totoo yan. 

Pag bago ang TV mo, feeling mo parang ang laki.  Unfortunately, good for 1 week lang ang feeling na yan ...  :D 

I'm 3 weeks past this 1 week limit, and fortunately I still feel that my 32" screen is big enough for my bedroom setup.  I will probably stay that way for a long time.  :)
Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: ayosbathere on Jan 28, 2010 at 05:21 PM
Totoo yan. 

Pag bago ang TV mo, feeling mo parang ang laki.  Unfortunately, good for 1 week lang ang feeling na yan ...  :D 

+1 .. after watching movies 2x in my 52 (9feet away) feeling ko lumiit na sya :)
Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: -sniper- on Jan 28, 2010 at 05:23 PM
+1 .. after watching movies 2x in my 52 (9feet away) feeling ko lumiit na sya :)

nakupo!!!!!  :o mapapalaki gastos ko nito.  ;D
Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: ayosbathere on Jan 28, 2010 at 08:26 PM
nakupo!!!!!  :o mapapalaki gastos ko nito.  ;D

then get 60up ;D
Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: pchin on Jan 28, 2010 at 09:44 PM
Problema lang na once you get used to 32V, you'd dream of 42V or bigger soon enough.  Ganon talaga yon.  Tapos you might be tempted to get another panel tech instead of what you got.   If you think you can possibly save more to afford a 42V within 1.5 years, I would strongly suggest that you wait.

Very true....initially viewing at my 42" it seems really big from my usual 29". Now I'm dreaming of 52" na.  ;D

32" should be good enough...don't forget to give your display a proper calibration. Your surround system is critical too as to maximize your movie enjoyment. :) Maybe your future HDTV target can be a 3D 42" LCD na.... ;)
Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: fakuryu on Jan 29, 2010 at 01:03 AM
Get the 32 now. Sooner or later, baba na rin yung mga 42 and up. Sa panahon na yun, you can still have the 32 as the 2nd TV and the 42 or up as the primary. Mapapalitan din naman yung crt nyo kung meron :D
Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: dips15 on Jan 29, 2010 at 08:22 AM
I think its more accurate to say that after a week, the TV won't seem as big as you first thought.  But I don't think you would feel that its small.  The 32" is a pretty good investment.  Mukha lang kasi maliit yung 32 kapag tinabi sa 42 but if the 32 is standing alone in your room, you won't mind the difference. 

Might be wrong with this but another thing to consider is that since 32 inch LCD's are getting pretty cheap (Cheaper than 29" CRTs 3-4 years ago), if you decide to sell the unit a year or 2 from now to upgrade to a 42", you'd probably just loose up to 5-10k only in resale value.  Compare this to when 32" TVs were still a luxury around 3 years ago when they cost around 50-60k for the most basic models.  Those TV's have trash resale value considering that they are no better than the newer TV's costing 1/3 of their price.

So my advice is to get that 32" TV and enjoy it.  Consider that 5-10k loss in resale value as the price you are paying to finally enjoy watching movies in a proper size with a wide screen format.     
Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: Arnel E. on Jan 29, 2010 at 11:16 AM
I think its more accurate to say that after a week, the TV won't seem as big as you first thought.  But I don't think you would feel that its small.  The 32" is a pretty good investment.  Mukha lang kasi maliit yung 32 kapag tinabi sa 42 but if the 32 is standing alone in your room, you won't mind the difference. 

Might be wrong with this but another thing to consider is that since 32 inch LCD's are getting pretty cheap (Cheaper than 29" CRTs 3-4 years ago), if you decide to sell the unit a year or 2 from now to upgrade to a 42", you'd probably just loose up to 5-10k only in resale value.  Compare this to when 32" TVs were still a luxury around 3 years ago when they cost around 50-60k for the most basic models.  Those TV's have trash resale value considering that they are no better than the newer TV's costing 1/3 of their price.

So my advice is to get that 32" TV and enjoy it.  Consider that 5-10k loss in resale value as the price you are paying to finally enjoy watching movies in a proper size with a wide screen format.     

+1 on this one.  :)

Saka isa pang solusyon dyan... mag-projector ka na lang... if you feel it's too small later on, then just move it back further, or move to a bigger room, then the image gets even bigger (even wall-to-wall kung gusto mo)... all this with no extra spending for upgrade costs.  Yun nga lang kailangan mo laging madilim ang room... saka syempre mas mahal ang projector.  :D
Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: -sniper- on Jan 29, 2010 at 03:01 PM
I think its more accurate to say that after a week, the TV won't seem as big as you first thought. 

i'd have to agree with this. let's just say siguro na nakapag-adjust na ung mata mo sa size ng monitor after watching for a certain period of time.

Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: Clondalkin on Jan 29, 2010 at 03:06 PM
Madali lang palakihin ang TV ulit.  Nood ka sandali sa 21 inch (14 inch would be even better).   Very effective indeed.   ;D

Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: av_phile1 on Jan 29, 2010 at 03:29 PM
Shorten your viewing distance, and it will look big.   Go farther out and your 42" will soon look like an iPod Touch held one foot away.   ;D
Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: -sniper- on Jan 29, 2010 at 03:41 PM
Maybe your future HDTV target can be a 3D 42" LCD na.... ;)
Saka isa pang solusyon dyan... mag-projector ka na lang...
Yun nga lang kailangan mo laging madilim ang room... saka syempre mas mahal ang projector.  :D

isa-isang gastos lang mga sirs. hehe... ;D


Get the 32 now. Sooner or later, baba na rin yung mga 42 and up. Sa panahon na yun, you can still have the 32 as the 2nd TV and the 42 or up as the primary. Mapapalitan din naman yung crt nyo kung meron :D

this is one thing i consider. get one now and buy another later. or sell the 32 for additional budget for a 42 or bigger. :)

Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: -sniper- on Jan 29, 2010 at 03:46 PM
Madali lang palakihin ang TV ulit.  Nood ka sandali sa 21 inch (14 inch would be even better).   Very effective indeed.   ;D

 :D :D :D

at no extra cost pa! :)


Shorten your viewing distance, and it will look big.   

8 feet is the shortest i can go. medyo bulky kasi ung furnitures eh.

replacing my furnitures with slimmer ones has crossed my mind, to shorten the viewing distance. 
Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: Clondalkin on Jan 29, 2010 at 05:05 PM

this is one thing i consider. get one now and buy another later. or sell the 32 for additional budget for a 42 or bigger. :)


Hmmmm.  Sometimes you really have to spend money to save money.   No good ang resale value ng 32V - take note. 
Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: -sniper- on Jan 29, 2010 at 05:21 PM
Hmmmm.  Sometimes you really have to spend money to save money.   

yeah. no matter how ironic it sounds, it does make a lot of sense.
Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: Hot Mama on Feb 03, 2010 at 08:18 AM
Here's my take on this...

i watch on 42in about 8ft away. Size is quite good. However, viewing DVD movies at 480p resolution gives me eye strain. Yun lang kaya ng DVD player ko. Viewing a higher 720p/1080p movie from laptop VGA is much better on my eyes.

Mas malabo syempre pag lower resolution.

Now i have to save for some upscaling DVD or even BD player. My wifey even suggested to wear glasses while watching... "eh kung malabo, eh di, mag salamin ka... mas mura naman ang salamin keysa sa bluray player" She said.  ;D
Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: blackie on Feb 03, 2010 at 08:26 AM
Hard to argue with that ;D
Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: -sniper- on Feb 03, 2010 at 02:06 PM
"eh kung malabo, eh di, mag salamin ka... mas mura naman ang salamin keysa sa bluray player" She said.  ;D


Hard to argue with that ;D

para ka nang na-check mate nyan.  ;D
Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: av_phile1 on Feb 03, 2010 at 02:52 PM
. mas mura naman ang salamin keysa sa bluray player" [/i] She said.  ;D

Depende sa frame ng salamin.  ;D  
Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: blackie on Feb 03, 2010 at 02:57 PM
Depende sa frame ng salamin.  ;D  
Cartier wooden frames pala yun.  Aruy!
Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: -sniper- on Feb 03, 2010 at 03:56 PM
Cartier wooden frames pala yun.  Aruy!

TV na lang!!!  :D
Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: dips15 on Feb 03, 2010 at 05:39 PM
Hmmmm.  Sometimes you really have to spend money to save money.   No good ang resale value ng 32V - take note. 

Iyan yung kasabihang "The poor man pays twice."  And with this hobby, I think I've been the poor man far too many times, but I don't think its been the last.
Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: -sniper- on Feb 10, 2010 at 02:45 PM
been thinking hard lately...real hard. 32" vs. 42"...hard times (financially)...how badly i want to jump from CRT to plasma/lcd for the loooongest time (but with the budget i have, i guess it would be from CRT to LCD, unless LG re-introduces 32" plasmas).

i think i'm about to go ahead with a 32". the amount i have saved has not gone up for a month, and financial projections does not seem to favor me. i've been thinking of the missed opportunities, those good movies i watched on my old but reliable CRT.

i just tell myself that there are a lot here who are happy with their 32" unit, so i guess it's not a bad idea after all. and then there is the on-going 32" shoot-out being done by sir carlo. if a 32" is not worth it, i don't think someone would spend time doing a review of several 32 inchers.  :)

Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: Clondalkin on Feb 10, 2010 at 02:51 PM
been thinking hard lately...real hard. 32" vs. 42"...hard times (financially)...how badly i want to jump from CRT to plasma/lcd for the loooongest time (but with the budget i have, i guess it would be from CRT to LCD, unless LG re-introduces 32" plasmas).

i think i'm about to go ahead with a 32". the amount i have saved has not gone up for a month, and financial projections does not seem to favor me. i've been thinking of the missed opportunities, those good movies i watched on my old but reliable CRT.

i just tell myself that there are a lot here who are happy with their 32" unit, so i guess it's not a bad idea after all. and then there is the on-going 32" shoot-out being done by sir carlo. if a 32" is not worth it, i don't think someone would spend time doing a review of several 32 inchers.  :)

CHOTTO MATTE!   ;D ;D ;D

Kaya hindi ko ma-i-rekomenda sa yo ang 32V kase you are considering and always mentioning the 42V. ;D  Nobody is saying a 32 is a bad idea (I have a 32 LG myself)...thinking of a 32V and THEN a 42V is the bad idea.   ;D
Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: -sniper- on Feb 10, 2010 at 03:02 PM
CHOTTO MATTE!   ;D ;D ;D

Kaya hindi ko ma-i-rekomenda sa yo ang 32V kase you are considering and always mentioning the 42V. ;D 

sorry about that. :)

siguro lang i just wanted a 42" so bad, kaya ganun ang naging dating ng post ko. hehe

honestly, 42 talaga ang target ko. but, as i've come to realize, di pa talaga kaya eh.

the 32" shoot-out will be my gauge. :)




Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: choy on Feb 11, 2010 at 05:50 AM
+1 .. after watching movies 2x in my 52 (9feet away) feeling ko lumiit na sya :)

1 month na 52-inch ko and i still feel its big.  but not as big as day 1 when i upgraded from a 32-inch.  funny thing is that when i go to an electronics store and look at the 52-inch TVs, they still don't feel as big as they are in my Family Room.  i don't think i'll go for a bigger TV.  if i upgrade it'll probably be a 50-55 inch 3D, but that will be far off into the future

i sit 8-12 feet from the TV (i have two la-z boys, one is closer than the other one because the room is not that wide)
Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: phipsi1 on Feb 16, 2010 at 07:36 PM
@all

Any suggestions on seating distance for a 50in. plasma?
Title: Re: screen size and viewing distance
Post by: iiinas on Feb 16, 2010 at 08:23 PM
@all

Any suggestions on seating distance for a 50in. plasma?

you wont go wrong with 1.5 to 2.5x your screen size.

so for 50"  6-10 feet is the way to go. depends on how your eyes gets use to the picture. in my case, i use 1.5x the size of my screen. although some people will go further even for a 50" like 12 feet.