A/V How big of a TV is good viewing from <6ft away?

eh? i want a 27 incher but ya i kinda feel like saving some money

I need a TV! (hdtv) not a computer monitor

thanks

 

For less than 6 feet, maybe a 20 incher or so? Go to the local electronics store and take a look at what's comfortable at that distance.

 

hmm good thinking, lolzorz

 

why not buy a HD projector that way you can have your perfect screen size. all you need is a white wall, although i dont know much about viewing projectors at night =S

 

THEY ARE AWESOME, get a projector and enjoy your screen (aka a white wall)

 

You should find charts in any 'What-TV-Size-Should-I-Get?' magazine based on eye-strain effects and field-of-view angle. 6' is pretty close, so I'd go with Stuey on not going OTT.

What Hi-Fi figures:

<2.5m: 17"-26"
2.5-3m: 28"-32"
3-4m: 36"-42"
>4m: 42"-50"

 

According to cpemma's numbers, a 24" or so might be the sweet spot for a viewing distance of approx. 6 feet or so.

As for a projector... it would be a waste of money for anything less than an(opinionated estimate of) 40" diagonal or so.

 

ya i dont have a big enough space, it would only equal out to like 28 inches diagonal (for a projector)

 

Mate of mine's flat is probably only 8 feet across at most, so with wall spaces behind sofa and tv considered it's probably only 6-7 feet distance between viewer and 42" Panny plasma and I think it's great. Doesn't strain your eyes at all, just fills your vision which is what a big-ass screen should do, imo.

 

i read somewhere that for the average uk living room 28 inch is spot on . mate of mine bought a 42 incher for his house cos he,s a show off with his money lol and it looks stupid and takes over the livy

 

This guide certainly goes for a bigger screen than What HiFi. For 6' they show 37"; I've got a 37" and whilst it's certainly big-ass at that range it's maybe OTT IMHO. Must try moving the settee nearer for a few hours check.

For a longer and unbiased explanation, see here.

That's screen width; based on wide-screen diagonal sizes, width = diagonal x 0.87

 

I must say 56" at just over 6' is just fine if you like the cinema feeling.

HD source preferred but even blurryvision works out ok.

 

That's double the size he was considering, and definitely won't help him save money!

 

Well it was more a response to everyone stating he should get a small TV just due to the distance.

My advice to the OP, get as big screen as you can afford and fit in the room, you will not regret it.

 

I would rather go with a 32" screen with high quality then with a bigger &cheaper one.

 

When I first got my 42" screen I did a little experiment, when sat on the back row at the cinema, held my arm out and screen was about as wide as the span on my hand, doing the same test from my sofa at home (about 6' back from the screen) the screen was agin about as wide as the span of my hand,

I'm not sure of the science involved but I reccon that makes it a big ass TV. The one thing I did notice after a year or so, it makes all my friends TV's just seem small but it's lost it's novlelty big factor