Distance to TV

[baggyman]

Can someone post the link to the distance - tv vs the resoultion? Sorry if this as a repost

 

[stratman]

What I've casually read in the A/V mags has been double the distance of your screen size as a minimum. Hence 42" screen would be 84" (7 feet)minimum from screen.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Can someone post the link to the distance - tv vs the resoultion? Sorry if this as a repost

Here you go. This is one frequently posted

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/hitech/1137/maxing-out-resolution.html

 

[stratman]

That is much better, thanks again Mr.M. BTW what's your take on that so called rule of thumb? 2 to 1.

 

[AVRat]

It's a matter of preference, but 2-3 x diag. is where most people seem comfortable. Whatever distance is the most comfortable.

 

[baggyman]

Thank you that is what I needed. I am going to start shopping and didnt want to dump the money in to a tv if i cant tell the diff between 720 and 1080. I am going to be sitting about 6 feet or so from the TV and was thinking of a 55 inch but still not that sure. Need to do some study on the idea. Thanks for the post

 

[mtrycrafts]

That is much better, thanks again Mr.M. BTW what's your take on that so called rule of thumb? 2 to 1.

You call me just 'M'

That rule came from the older resolutions on TV. Even today, you need to keep in mind what the TV signal is, not what the set pixels are. Standard def is still a standard def on a HD set even if it appears better.
So, if you like that ratio, use it. If you want to snuggle up closer and the signal res is there, do that

 

[mtrycrafts]

Thank you that is what I needed. I am going to start shopping and didnt want to dump the money in to a tv if i cant tell the diff between 720 and 1080. I am going to be sitting about 6 feet or so from the TV and was thinking of a 55 inch but still not that sure. Need to do some study on the idea. Thanks for the post

Just remember what you will be watching on that TV. Cable TV, HD DVDs? I don't think cable TV will get above 720 res lines, too much bandwidth needed.
HD DVD is another thing. There you would be better off.

 

[BMXTRIX]

People get a little off track when they start talking about resolution and viewing distance.

If you have a 1080p TV, then the ONLY way that the graph is accurate is if you are viewing a 1080p source. If you ever watch SDTV then you should be at the viewing distance as specified by the graph for SDTV. This is something like 5x the screen width.

For home theater, where the source is going to be limited to HDTV, HD Discs, or high quality DVD discs, then 1.54x screen width is the rule I try to follow. But, for normal viewing, I put people at least 2.5x screen width to about 4x screen width. My 42" plasma in the bedroom I view at about 12 feet, and it works nicely. My 50" plasma in the family room at 12 feet... well, that one seems a little small.