DLP RPTY 50" or 61"

[dr-dezibel]

I want to buy a RPTV. I'll be sitting about 3 meters (8 ft?) apart from TV.

Not sure about the size. Is 61" too big? What do you think?

[Speedball]

Take a carpenters 20' tape measure with you and put yourself in front of the tv the same distance as you would be at home. Then, do you see anything you do or do not like about either? I bet you will.

[ARPRINCE]

Check this out.

Viewing

Distance Calculations

The distance from your television to where

you will be sitting is a matter of several factors: the size

of your room, where the rest of the furniture is arranged, and

what is comfortable to your eyes. However, for those of you who

like formulas, the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers

(SMPTE) recommends that the screen should be of a size that you

will see 30 degrees of viewing angle side to side from where

you are sitting. If you really want to adhere to this, it means

calculating either the size of the TV if you know how far away

you will be sitting, or calculating the viewing distance if you

know how big your TV screen is. The mathematics are easy. If

we say that the horizontal (not diagonal) measurement of your

television is "X", and the distance from your television

to your seat is "Y", then the following formulas can

be used to calculate the proper dimension for either one of these

measurements: X = Y/1.8664 and Y = 1.8664 X. So, for example,

if you are purchasing a television, and the distance from your

seat to where you will be placing the TV is 6 feet, then you

solve the equation for X. X = 6/1.8664 = 3.21 feet or 38.6 inches.

Take a ruler with you to the electronics store and measure the

horizontal width of the sets you are choosing from. If you have

already purchased a television, then you need to calculate the

proper viewing distance. If, for example, you have a television

that is 4 feet wide, then you solve the equation for Y. Y = 1.8664

times 4 = 7.5 feet. In practice, using the above formula results

in a viewing distance that may be too close for many viewers.

A more reasonable number can be calculated using the principle

of sitting back about 3 - 5 times the width of the TV. If that

does not satisfy you, then just sit where you darn well please.

When you shop for the television, each

set is marked with its diagonal size (the diagonal measurement

is always larger than the horizontal, so using this number is

more impressive). Actually, you don't need to be so exact. Comfort

level is the rule, not mathematical formulas, but the formulas

are there if you want to use them. If you have never owned a

big screen TV, you may think that the ones you shop for are too

large. However, you will be surprised at how fast you adapt to

the large picture once you have it at home for a few days. When

watching letterboxed movies in particular, larger screens are

necessary for the best visual effect. Therefore, you will probably

be more satisfied in the long run if you purchase the largest

set you can fit into your viewing room.

[ARPRINCE]

Or try this one too.

Screen

size

Suggested

viewing

distance

30"

6.25 feet

35"

7.3 feet

40"

8.3 feet

45"

9.4 feet

50"

10.4 feet

55"

11.5 feet

60"

12.5 feet

65"

13.5 feet

[WMcD]

Three meters is 10 feet.

I'm gearing up for a similar purchase. Maybe after Christmas. One thought is that we're not ever going to regret buying too big a screen, if there is such a thing.

One issue is that the top sized units ramp up in price out of proportion to their diagonal measurement. On the other hand, this is a piece of equipment you'll be viewing for several years, maybe to watch the World Cup, etc.

Over the years, a bigger screen costs a few extra Euros a month at best. Please consider that you're paying for other things on the front end, like cost of installation. You also have cost of cable or satellite service and maintenance (bulbs or whatever). Then, on the back end, getting it moved out to to make room for something new and/or to a bedroom as a second set.

My thought, per the above, is that the bigger screen issue is just part of the entire deal.

You may want to take a good look at size issues from standpoint of other furnature, stairways and elevators (an issue in my building), local taxes (if any), anything where 28 cm of "bigger" will get in the way. You could build a mock up of at least screen size out of cardboard or foamcore to get a better idea of what you'll be viewing.

Best,

Gil

[dr-dezibel]

Thanks for the replies so far!

According to the formula the distance would be sufficent (opposed to the chart)and I think for HT a bigger picture is better but what about TV or gaming (PS2)?

[jacksonbart]

@ 8ft go with the 61 inch. Bigger is better.

[DTLongo]

My viewing distance is 8 1/2 feet and I have a 50" plasma HDTV. Go for the 61".

I wanted the TV to sit atop my Belle Klipsch center so went with the plasma with its sleek pedestal stand. Unlike a 50" or larger RPTV, the stand does not overhang the sides of the speaker and the TV looks very nice there.

Plasmas over 50" are prohibitively expensive. Iif I had it to do over again I might say hang the overhang and go with the larger size RPTV. The clarity of even non-HDTV sources such as DVD and even regular cable TV is such on HDTV-capable sets that even at a modest 8 1/2' distance, a 61" screen would be no means be overkill.

I do love the color fidelity, clarity and overall quality of my Pioneer plasma. On even normal program material it totally eclipses my 32" Hitachi CRT TV that it replaced.

[IndyKlipschFan]

55" - 61"... In your case...at night with that perfect movie or game on.. YOUR gonna love it..

And NOTHING like having the guys over for a NFL game on the big screen. Go 4 it..

61" seems to be a great size that the image is still razor sharp IMO too.

[Lurch]

I think I would look at the differences in picture quality VERY carefully from your 10' distance. Make sure you get to watch SD material before you purchase, since it will constitute the lion's share of what you will watch at home.

Since you are technically sitting too close, you'll be more aware of all the little problems with both the source and the TV. I sit 10' away from my 51" CRT RPTV and all of the artifacts from the cable system's overzealous compression are painfully visible. On the other hand, DVD looks great though.

Remember, between the 50" and 61" sets, there is no difference in the number of pixels, since there both likely to be 720p sets. Thus, your pixels have to be that much bigger (on the 61" set) to cover the greater screen area. That means problems like the screen door effect will end up being more obvious.

If you go with the 61" model, I would suggest looking at the new "1080p" models that use the HD4 chip. Also, make sure you get one with a 30-day return policy, so if it doesn't suit your room, you can return it.

[KungFuNat]

3 to 5 times the width of the TV???? i have no idea where you got that figure but thats WAY to far....

normal convention states that 1.5 to 2 times the screen width is proper viewing distance..

me personally? i like to see nothing but screen but then again im a freak.

[jacksonbart]

61, please post pictures when you get it.

[dr-dezibel]

61, please post pictures when you get it.

I promise, but it will take some time 'cause I ran out of money, bought a single new Heresy II for center channel use.

(see thread "Heresy center")

[IndyKlipschFan]

hahaha I still say a 55 inch or 61 inch Samsung from Costco or S ams.. Who gives a ratts BS about last years model.. Take it home for a huge savings and enjoy!!

[Lurch]

Please note that the good doctor hails from Germany.

Doc,

Which part of Germany are you in? I lived in Kaiserslautern for 2 years (2001-2003).

Jeff

[dr-dezibel]

I live in Bavaria in the deep south of Germany. 100 miles away from Munich where the Oktoberfest currently takes place.

[Lurch]

I saw Paul McCartney play in Munich while I was there. I also went down to Garmisch several times. Just a beautiful area!

Jeff

[nuclearay]

I have a 65" screen about 12ft from my "spot".

Gaming and DVDs (480p) are awesome. I just got HighDef last night and my jaw is still on the floor (1080i). For these modes I don't even think twice as to how close I am sitting -- I could go closer with no problem.

Standard Def can be pretty crummy at times, but I got over that a long time ago.

I am in the camp of "bigger is better"

[mmiles]

How about a 55" DLP.

That way you get a bigger pic a save some $ or EURO.

In Europe rooms (houses in general) are smaller than in the states. I think a 61" is on the edge of dare I say... to big.

Regards,

Mike

[dr-dezibel]

I made a card-board mockup to jugde the screen size in my living room. A 50" TV would sufficent.

I've narrowed down my choices to a 50" RPTV or a 42" plasma. The plasma would do the job, too. At least for now. And because of the slim size it will give me the possibility to upgrade to a real big picture front projector system later.

What are your opinions?