Viewing distance for HD

ray_01 · 28-09-2008, 12:17

My viewing distance from my Toshiba 42in lcd is about 15 ft,
which is fine for non HD channels but for HD I think It should be about 7ft. Does anyone have any idea what size tv would be suitable for HD at that distance?
I realise that standard definition won't be so good, but are some makes of tv better than others at closing the gap between HD and standard definition viewing distances?
Many thanks
Ray

Deacon1972 · 28-09-2008, 12:58

For a 15' viewing distance you are would be looking at 100"+, plasma technlogy would cost you a fortune for a screen that size.

You are probably looking at projection technology, a HD PJ and screen can cost as little as £500.

With the LCD and PJ setup you could keep the viewing distance at 15', watch SD on the LCD then pull the screen down for HD on the big screen.

jackthom · 28-09-2008, 13:42

I'd agree, any sensibly priced plasma (50" max) would leave you struggling to spot the difference between SD and HD at a viewing distance of 15'.

I view my 50" at around 10' which is fine for most material but occasionally move to just over 6' for a good HD movie.
I'd happily buy the 60" version if it wasn't more than twice the price.

I've no experience of projectors but they do sound interesting.

Deacon1972 · 28-09-2008, 14:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackthom

I'd agree, any sensibly priced plasma (50" max) would leave you struggling to spot the difference between SD and HD at a viewing distance of 15'.

I view my 50" at around 10' which is fine for most material but occasionally move to just over 6' for a good HD movie.
I'd happily buy the 60" version if it wasn't more than twice the price.

I've no experience of projectors but they do sound interesting.

I bought an Optoma HD65/screen a few months back and must say it's the best £500 I've ever spent.

It's got 1280x720 resolution, I have an 84" screen and sit around 10' away, Sky HD and Bluray have never looked so good.

The next time I have it playing I will take some screen shots, they are very remarkable from something that cost so relatively little.

Some screen shots of what images can look like here.

http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=747144

ray_01 · 30-09-2008, 13:13

Many thanks for your replies.
I have never seen a projector system, how big is the projector and where would it be positioned, also what sort of screen is used and does it only show dvd's?
Many thanks
Ray

chunkc · 30-09-2008, 13:24

think the offical advice is 1.5x diagonal size.
which means you all need to be closer.

http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/Article/Ho...ould-I-Sit.php

Deacon1972 · 30-09-2008, 16:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by ray_01

Many thanks for your replies.
I have never seen a projector system, how big is the projector and where would it be positioned, also what sort of screen is used and does it only show dvd's?
Many thanks
Ray

The PJ I own (Optoma HD65) fits on the palm of your hand, so not big at all, in fact it is very small. It only weighs 4lb.

This particular projector can be positioned at the front or rear of the screen (front/back projection), either on a coffee table or from the ceiling. How far it is positioned from the screen will depend on the size of the screen that will be used. 2.9m will give you approx 77", move the projector further away then the screen size increases.

You can play any source you like providing it has the correct connections - PS3, DVD, Bluray, HD DVD, Sky HD, V+ VCR, PC etc etc.

You can project the image onto a plain white wall, or a white/cream/grey blind or a dedicated screen. Screens come in manual or electric form, or you can go for a fixed screen.

I have a manual screen, when the PJ is not in use the screen retracts back into the casing above the TV.

ray_01 · 30-09-2008, 17:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deacon1972

The PJ I own (Optoma HD65) fits on the palm of your hand, so not big at all, in fact it is very small. It only weighs 4lb.

This particular projector can be positioned at the front or rear of the screen (front/back projection), either on a coffee table or from the ceiling. How far it is positioned from the screen will depend on the size of the screen that will be used. 2.9m will give you approx 77", move the projector further away then the screen size increases.

You can play any source you like providing it has the correct connections - PS3, DVD, Bluray, HD DVD, Sky HD, V+ VCR, PC etc etc.

You can project the image onto a plain white wall, or a white/cream/grey blind or a dedicated screen. Screens come in manual or electric form, or you can go for a fixed screen.

I have a manual screen, when the PJ is not in use the screen retracts back into the casing above the TV.

Many thanks.
Can the projector be used instead of a lcdtv and would the picture be comparable with HD? What sort of lifespan do they have?
Do the cables from the boxes (Sky,dvd HDMI etc.) go straight to the projector or do they have to be connected elswhere? Would there be lots of cables to be buried in the wall/ceiling? The seating is about 15ft from the present tv which is fixed to the wall
Apologies for all the quetions but it seems it might suitable
for my tv room.

Deacon1972 · 30-09-2008, 17:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by ray_01

Many thanks.
Can the projector be used instead of a lcdtv and would the picture be comparable with HD? What sort of lifespan do they have?
Do the cables from the boxes (Sky,dvd HDMI etc.) go straight to the projector or do they have to be connected elswhere? Would there be lots of cables to be buried in the wall/ceiling? The seating is about 15ft from the present tv which is fixed to the wall
Apologies for all the quetions but it seems it might suitable
for my tv room.

Projectors have limited life span, the bulbs though cheap on the HD65 (£95) only last for around 3000 hours. Personally I'd keep SD to the LCD and HD for the PJ, we watch HD movies, DVD's and a selection HD dramas on the PJ, we still view some HD on the plasma. PJ normally only gets used Fri-Sun.

Cables can be connected in a couple of ways, directly to the projector or via an amp where this will do the switching. I have mine going through the amp with just one HDMI cable going to the projector, this allows me to view Sky HD, DVD and PS3.

I haven't got round to hiding the HDMI cable yet, this just gets connected/disconnect at the moment until the rest of the room is finished.

Projectors/screens are not the easiest thing to setup and install but once done you can just sit back and enjoy. Well worth the small amount of hassle IMO.

ray_01 · 30-09-2008, 17:50

Many thanks for the very helpful advice.
Regards
Ray

Deacon1972 · 30-09-2008, 17:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by ray_01

Many thanks for the very helpful advice.
Regards
Ray

No problem.

There's a screen calculator in the link, this will tell you everything you need to know about distances for installing the screen and projector. Just enter the make model and then scroll down to where you can enter the screen size you want, it will then give you a read out to where you need to install the screen/PJ. It's very useful.

http://www.projectorcentral.com/Opto...ulator-pro.htm

If you are interested in DLP projection make sure you get a demo, make sure you are not badly affected by "the rainbow effect", this can be a side affect of DLP technology, some viewers are prone to seeing it others aren't.

28-09-2008, 12:17	#1
ray_01 Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 411	Viewing distance for HD My viewing distance from my Toshiba 42in lcd is about 15 ft, which is fine for non HD channels but for HD I think It should be about 7ft. Does anyone have any idea what size tv would be suitable for HD at that distance? I realise that standard definition won't be so good, but are some makes of tv better than others at closing the gap between HD and standard definition viewing distances? Many thanks Ray

28-09-2008, 12:58	#2
Deacon1972 Guest Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 8,103	For a 15' viewing distance you are would be looking at 100"+, plasma technlogy would cost you a fortune for a screen that size. You are probably looking at projection technology, a HD PJ and screen can cost as little as £500. With the LCD and PJ setup you could keep the viewing distance at 15', watch SD on the LCD then pull the screen down for HD on the big screen.

28-09-2008, 13:42	#3
jackthom Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Northumberland Posts: 4,536	I'd agree, any sensibly priced plasma (50" max) would leave you struggling to spot the difference between SD and HD at a viewing distance of 15'. I view my 50" at around 10' which is fine for most material but occasionally move to just over 6' for a good HD movie. I'd happily buy the 60" version if it wasn't more than twice the price. I've no experience of projectors but they do sound interesting.

28-09-2008, 14:09	#4
Deacon1972 Guest Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 8,103	Quote: Originally Posted by jackthom I'd agree, any sensibly priced plasma (50" max) would leave you struggling to spot the difference between SD and HD at a viewing distance of 15'. I view my 50" at around 10' which is fine for most material but occasionally move to just over 6' for a good HD movie. I'd happily buy the 60" version if it wasn't more than twice the price. I've no experience of projectors but they do sound interesting. I bought an Optoma HD65/screen a few months back and must say it's the best £500 I've ever spent. It's got 1280x720 resolution, I have an 84" screen and sit around 10' away, Sky HD and Bluray have never looked so good. The next time I have it playing I will take some screen shots, they are very remarkable from something that cost so relatively little. Some screen shots of what images can look like here. http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=747144

30-09-2008, 13:13	#5
ray_01 Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 411	Many thanks for your replies. I have never seen a projector system, how big is the projector and where would it be positioned, also what sort of screen is used and does it only show dvd's? Many thanks Ray

30-09-2008, 13:24	#6
chunkc Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: My House, Earth Posts: 947	think the offical advice is 1.5x diagonal size. which means you all need to be closer. http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/Article/Ho...ould-I-Sit.php

30-09-2008, 16:30	#7
Deacon1972 Guest Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 8,103	Quote: Originally Posted by ray_01 Many thanks for your replies. I have never seen a projector system, how big is the projector and where would it be positioned, also what sort of screen is used and does it only show dvd's? Many thanks Ray The PJ I own (Optoma HD65) fits on the palm of your hand, so not big at all, in fact it is very small. It only weighs 4lb. This particular projector can be positioned at the front or rear of the screen (front/back projection), either on a coffee table or from the ceiling. How far it is positioned from the screen will depend on the size of the screen that will be used. 2.9m will give you approx 77", move the projector further away then the screen size increases. You can play any source you like providing it has the correct connections - PS3, DVD, Bluray, HD DVD, Sky HD, V+ VCR, PC etc etc. You can project the image onto a plain white wall, or a white/cream/grey blind or a dedicated screen. Screens come in manual or electric form, or you can go for a fixed screen. I have a manual screen, when the PJ is not in use the screen retracts back into the casing above the TV.

30-09-2008, 17:35	#8
ray_01 Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 411	Quote: Originally Posted by Deacon1972 The PJ I own (Optoma HD65) fits on the palm of your hand, so not big at all, in fact it is very small. It only weighs 4lb. This particular projector can be positioned at the front or rear of the screen (front/back projection), either on a coffee table or from the ceiling. How far it is positioned from the screen will depend on the size of the screen that will be used. 2.9m will give you approx 77", move the projector further away then the screen size increases. You can play any source you like providing it has the correct connections - PS3, DVD, Bluray, HD DVD, Sky HD, V+ VCR, PC etc etc. You can project the image onto a plain white wall, or a white/cream/grey blind or a dedicated screen. Screens come in manual or electric form, or you can go for a fixed screen. I have a manual screen, when the PJ is not in use the screen retracts back into the casing above the TV. Many thanks. Can the projector be used instead of a lcdtv and would the picture be comparable with HD? What sort of lifespan do they have? Do the cables from the boxes (Sky,dvd HDMI etc.) go straight to the projector or do they have to be connected elswhere? Would there be lots of cables to be buried in the wall/ceiling? The seating is about 15ft from the present tv which is fixed to the wall Apologies for all the quetions but it seems it might suitable for my tv room.

30-09-2008, 17:46	#9
Deacon1972 Guest Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 8,103	Quote: Originally Posted by ray_01 Many thanks. Can the projector be used instead of a lcdtv and would the picture be comparable with HD? What sort of lifespan do they have? Do the cables from the boxes (Sky,dvd HDMI etc.) go straight to the projector or do they have to be connected elswhere? Would there be lots of cables to be buried in the wall/ceiling? The seating is about 15ft from the present tv which is fixed to the wall Apologies for all the quetions but it seems it might suitable for my tv room. Projectors have limited life span, the bulbs though cheap on the HD65 (£95) only last for around 3000 hours. Personally I'd keep SD to the LCD and HD for the PJ, we watch HD movies, DVD's and a selection HD dramas on the PJ, we still view some HD on the plasma. PJ normally only gets used Fri-Sun. Cables can be connected in a couple of ways, directly to the projector or via an amp where this will do the switching. I have mine going through the amp with just one HDMI cable going to the projector, this allows me to view Sky HD, DVD and PS3. I haven't got round to hiding the HDMI cable yet, this just gets connected/disconnect at the moment until the rest of the room is finished. Projectors/screens are not the easiest thing to setup and install but once done you can just sit back and enjoy. Well worth the small amount of hassle IMO.

30-09-2008, 17:50	#10
ray_01 Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 411	Many thanks for the very helpful advice. Regards Ray

30-09-2008, 17:55	#11
Deacon1972 Guest Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 8,103	Quote: Originally Posted by ray_01 Many thanks for the very helpful advice. Regards Ray No problem. There's a screen calculator in the link, this will tell you everything you need to know about distances for installing the screen and projector. Just enter the make model and then scroll down to where you can enter the screen size you want, it will then give you a read out to where you need to install the screen/PJ. It's very useful. http://www.projectorcentral.com/Opto...ulator-pro.htm If you are interested in DLP projection make sure you get a demo, make sure you are not badly affected by "the rainbow effect", this can be a side affect of DLP technology, some viewers are prone to seeing it others aren't.

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Viewing distance for HD