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General discussion

Distance

Mar 31, 2009 5:36AM PDT

Sorry if this is a stupid question but is sitting 8 feet from a 46 inch tv equal to sitting 9 feet from a 52 inch tv?

thanks

Discussion is locked

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Distance
Mar 31, 2009 6:59AM PDT

enderwins,

That's about right. Your ratio would be closer with 50", but from that distance, it probably won't make a significant difference for most people.

Are you trying to find an optimal viewing distance?

--HDTech

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Distance reply
Mar 31, 2009 7:50AM PDT

Yes. I thought I had 7' to 8' feet to play with but looks like I can push the tv back to about 9' which is distance from the Eye to the Screen. Unfortunately I don't have much extra space to play with...though I wish I did and I don't want to hang the tv on the wall. I actually have the 46" but thinking of exchanging if the 52" will give me a better experience. I use the tv for everything - hd cable, blu-ray, reg dvd but upscaled using a ps3, and playing video games (PS3 and Wii). I'll almost never be watching standard cable anymore.
Do you think I should exchange it for the 52"

thanks

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Distance reply
Mar 31, 2009 8:12AM PDT

enderwins,

It's a subjective question that is best based on your personal preference.

That said, I always recommend HDTech's Rule of Three. Meaning three times the corner to corner of your widescreen TV is the starting point to best measure where you're going to sit for watching television or movies.

So a 46" television x3 = 138 inches = @ 11 feet.
Abd a 52" television x3 = 156 inches = @ 12 feet.

If you're a gamer and want to get lost in the screen, bigger is better, sure. But what you want to do is sit where you'd normally sit, watch a widescreen movie and relax your eyes. If your peripheral vision can capture the whole screen without you having to move your eyes back and forth, then you're where you want to be - this will deliver a comfortable, relaxing experience.

It sounds crazy, but I'd go to your favorite retailer, measure out the approximate distance, and watch the television from that distance on both the 46" and 52", and concentrate on which experience you enjoy more. Ask yourself if you're easily able to see the entire picture comfortably.

If your eyes are darting to the left and right on various screens, then your panel may be too big for long-term (multiple hours) viewing.

Most people figure that bigger is better, and while it might be for some people, some are looking for something that best fits their needs.

Does that help? Let me know if I can help further. Happy

--HDTech

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best distance
Mar 31, 2009 8:39AM PDT

thanks. This definitely helps. The 46 seems great at my current distance but I just keep thinking I should go bigger. I've viewed both tvs from that distance and both seem fine in terms of distance and eye movement. Over long periods of time I'm not sure though. I try to think of it like going to the movies. Even sitting at normal distance - middle to back with a huge movie screen..after a while it becomes comfortable and my eyes are moving around but my head isn't and I never feel eye fatigue. Also I'm not sure how this would work when watching tv programs. I'm also concerned with quality of the source at that large of a tv and at that distance. I've heard that 720p content may look soft or fuzzy. I'm not sure if this is true our not. I've been read up on avsforums (I'm sure you've heard of this site) and most people there are saying the bigger the better. Thanks again for your help.