Calculating TV screen size

Smint · 12-11-2008, 15:33

Is there a formula for calculating the best TV screen size? And where do you measure to - the front of the chair you sit on, the middle or the back?

H wants to replace our *cough* 28" *cough* TV for a new one, and has suggested the 50" Pioneer Kuro - but it looks massive!

I'm more tempted by a smaller Panasonic Viera Freesat, although he has concerns that if the Freesat bit goes, then the TV is useless - no idea whether or not this is correct

As it's such a huge leap from 28" to something bigger, I don't want to get it wrong and have a monster of a tV in the living room

If it makes any difference, we have two sofas in an L shape and the TV will be across the opposite corner on a stand rather than fixed to the wall

Many thanks for any advice

Deacon1972 · 12-11-2008, 15:42

There are various guides to where you should sit.

Distances range from x1.5 - x2.2 screen width for high definition.

x4/x5 for standard definition.

The problem comes when you watch a mixture of both - we watch far more HD than SD.

We sit 9' from our 50", HD looks great, SD doesn't look that bad considering how close we sit.

Smint · 12-11-2008, 15:51

That's helpful - thanks!

I measured 108" to the middle of the seat, so that's 9' (same as you)

However, I suspect we'll be watching a mix of SD and HD (probably more SD to start with, particularly as we have nothing HD and would probably go for FreeSat or the odd BT Vision HD film - no Blu Ray player yet so no HD DVDs) so that makes quite a difference to the best screen size

50" OK for HD, waaaay to big for SD!

Better to go for a 42", then?

Who'd have thought size would have been so important?!

Nigel Goodwin · 12-11-2008, 16:05

His SD figures are rather on the large size - I would suggest as a minimum x2.5 screen size for SD, and under x2 maximum for worthwhile HD.

Smint · 12-11-2008, 16:14

Thanks Nigel - edging more towards 46" now as a happy medium - but I think H will say that we might as well go for the 50" Pioneer if it's only 4" difference as he reckons it's the dog's . . . errr, bees knees

And I'll end up with a cinema screen in the room!

Deacon1972 · 12-11-2008, 16:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

His SD figures are rather on the large size - I would suggest as a minimum x2.5 screen size for SD, and under x2 maximum for worthwhile HD.

Forgot to put it's x the height for SD.

Deacon1972 · 12-11-2008, 16:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smint

Thanks Nigel - edging more towards 46" now as a happy medium - but I think H will say that we might as well go for the 50" Pioneer if it's only 4" difference as he reckons it's the dog's . . . errr, bees knees

And I'll end up with a cinema screen in the room!

I'd be inclined to go for the 50" myself, because in time you do get used to the size, if you go for the smaller one you'll only regret it later.

stvn758 · 12-11-2008, 16:55

The Kuro are always mentioned as being the best sets around, especially for SD.

It depends what you like, I sit 10ft from a 46in panel and love it. Couldn't imagine having anything smaller again.

Smint · 12-11-2008, 20:45

You lot are not helping!

I think I might have to admit defeat and go for the Pioneer Kuro - I just imagine having to scan from left to right as though I'm at a tennis game to take in the whole picture

If H persuades me that we're going for a 50" TV, I'll have to buy a popcorn maker!

Deacon1972 · 12-11-2008, 21:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smint

You lot are not helping!

I think I might have to admit defeat and go for the Pioneer Kuro - I just imagine having to scan from left to right as though I'm at a tennis game to take in the whole picture

If H persuades me that we're going for a 50" TV, I'll have to buy a popcorn maker!

No way will it be like a tennis match.

- we have a 7' screen and watch this at the same distance and our heads barely move left -> right.

In 3 months you'll wish you'd bought a 60".

Smint · 12-11-2008, 21:08

You're going to get a slap in a minute!

Probably the only reason we're NOT going to get a 60" is because it won't physically fit in the space we have!

This is from the man who said he didn't want to change the current TV because there was nothing wrong with it, but after a browse in Curry's decided that it's perfectly acceptable to throw it on the metaphorical scrapheap and bring in a bigger, flashier, newer model

Hmmm . . . should I be worrying???

Deacon1972 · 12-11-2008, 21:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smint

You're going to get a slap in a minute!

Probably the only reason we're NOT going to get a 60" is because it won't physically fit in the space we have!

This is from the man who said he didn't want to change the current TV because there was nothing wrong with it, but after a browse in Curry's decided that it's perfectly acceptable to throw it on the metaphorical scrapheap and bring in a bigger, flashier, newer model

Hmmm . . . should I be worrying???

Could have been worse, could have been a Merc garage not Curry's.

Next time you're out just drag him into Magnet's for a new kitchen.

Don't worry, once you're sat there watching it you'll love it.

Smint · 12-11-2008, 22:16

Oh I steer well clear of garages - we already have 3 cars between the two of us!

We're going to wait until after Christmas anyway, just in case there's a sale on in John Lewis (where, of course, they'll reduce everything but the Pioneer)

We'll just have to survive with the "barely bigger than a portable" TV

And I have a new kitchen

12-11-2008, 15:33	#1
Smint Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3,964	Calculating TV screen size Is there a formula for calculating the best TV screen size? And where do you measure to - the front of the chair you sit on, the middle or the back? H wants to replace our cough 28" cough TV for a new one, and has suggested the 50" Pioneer Kuro - but it looks massive! I'm more tempted by a smaller Panasonic Viera Freesat, although he has concerns that if the Freesat bit goes, then the TV is useless - no idea whether or not this is correct As it's such a huge leap from 28" to something bigger, I don't want to get it wrong and have a monster of a tV in the living room If it makes any difference, we have two sofas in an L shape and the TV will be across the opposite corner on a stand rather than fixed to the wall Many thanks for any advice

12-11-2008, 15:42	#2
Deacon1972 Guest Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 8,103	There are various guides to where you should sit. Distances range from x1.5 - x2.2 screen width for high definition. x4/x5 for standard definition. The problem comes when you watch a mixture of both - we watch far more HD than SD. We sit 9' from our 50", HD looks great, SD doesn't look that bad considering how close we sit.

12-11-2008, 15:51	#3
Smint Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3,964	That's helpful - thanks! I measured 108" to the middle of the seat, so that's 9' (same as you) However, I suspect we'll be watching a mix of SD and HD (probably more SD to start with, particularly as we have nothing HD and would probably go for FreeSat or the odd BT Vision HD film - no Blu Ray player yet so no HD DVDs) so that makes quite a difference to the best screen size 50" OK for HD, waaaay to big for SD! Better to go for a 42", then? Who'd have thought size would have been so important?!

12-11-2008, 16:05	#4
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	His SD figures are rather on the large size - I would suggest as a minimum x2.5 screen size for SD, and under x2 maximum for worthwhile HD.

12-11-2008, 16:14	#5
Smint Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3,964	Thanks Nigel - edging more towards 46" now as a happy medium - but I think H will say that we might as well go for the 50" Pioneer if it's only 4" difference as he reckons it's the dog's . . . errr, bees knees And I'll end up with a cinema screen in the room!

12-11-2008, 16:39	#6
Deacon1972 Guest Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 8,103	Quote: Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin His SD figures are rather on the large size - I would suggest as a minimum x2.5 screen size for SD, and under x2 maximum for worthwhile HD. Forgot to put it's x the height for SD.

12-11-2008, 16:43	#7
Deacon1972 Guest Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 8,103	Quote: Originally Posted by Smint Thanks Nigel - edging more towards 46" now as a happy medium - but I think H will say that we might as well go for the 50" Pioneer if it's only 4" difference as he reckons it's the dog's . . . errr, bees knees And I'll end up with a cinema screen in the room! I'd be inclined to go for the 50" myself, because in time you do get used to the size, if you go for the smaller one you'll only regret it later.

12-11-2008, 16:55	#8
stvn758 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 17,338	The Kuro are always mentioned as being the best sets around, especially for SD. It depends what you like, I sit 10ft from a 46in panel and love it. Couldn't imagine having anything smaller again.

12-11-2008, 20:45	#9
Smint Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3,964	You lot are not helping! I think I might have to admit defeat and go for the Pioneer Kuro - I just imagine having to scan from left to right as though I'm at a tennis game to take in the whole picture If H persuades me that we're going for a 50" TV, I'll have to buy a popcorn maker!

12-11-2008, 21:00	#10
Deacon1972 Guest Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 8,103	Quote: Originally Posted by Smint You lot are not helping! I think I might have to admit defeat and go for the Pioneer Kuro - I just imagine having to scan from left to right as though I'm at a tennis game to take in the whole picture If H persuades me that we're going for a 50" TV, I'll have to buy a popcorn maker! No way will it be like a tennis match. - we have a 7' screen and watch this at the same distance and our heads barely move left -> right. In 3 months you'll wish you'd bought a 60".

12-11-2008, 21:08	#11
Smint Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3,964	You're going to get a slap in a minute! Probably the only reason we're NOT going to get a 60" is because it won't physically fit in the space we have! This is from the man who said he didn't want to change the current TV because there was nothing wrong with it, but after a browse in Curry's decided that it's perfectly acceptable to throw it on the metaphorical scrapheap and bring in a bigger, flashier, newer model Hmmm . . . should I be worrying???

12-11-2008, 21:44	#12
Deacon1972 Guest Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 8,103	Quote: Originally Posted by Smint You're going to get a slap in a minute! Probably the only reason we're NOT going to get a 60" is because it won't physically fit in the space we have! This is from the man who said he didn't want to change the current TV because there was nothing wrong with it, but after a browse in Curry's decided that it's perfectly acceptable to throw it on the metaphorical scrapheap and bring in a bigger, flashier, newer model Hmmm . . . should I be worrying??? Could have been worse, could have been a Merc garage not Curry's. Next time you're out just drag him into Magnet's for a new kitchen. Don't worry, once you're sat there watching it you'll love it.

12-11-2008, 22:16	#13
Smint Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3,964	Oh I steer well clear of garages - we already have 3 cars between the two of us! We're going to wait until after Christmas anyway, just in case there's a sale on in John Lewis (where, of course, they'll reduce everything but the Pioneer) We'll just have to survive with the "barely bigger than a portable" TV And I have a new kitchen

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Calculating TV screen size