How Big a TV Do You Really Need?
Mon Dec 11, 2006 3:13AM EST
See Comments (9)
You're sitting too close to the TV, mom used to say. Well, in the world of high-def, there is no such thing as too close to your TV. In fact, the closer you sit, the better you can make out high-definition images. Obviously, right?
With four major resolutions now available in televisions (not counting interlaced and progressive-scan varieties), it can be incredibly confusing trying to figure out how big a TV you actually need. After all, there's no point buying an ultra-high-resolution TV if you won't be able to discern any increase in quality.
Good news: Here's a handy chart that lets you determine the optimal resolution for your TV based on how far you sit from the sit, and how big the screen is (or would be). Take a look at the graphic to get started. If you're confused, here's how to interpret it.
Start by figuring out your typical seating distance from the TV. You'll want to be as accurate as possible. A foot can make a big difference. This is your viewing distance, noted on the vertical axis. Now just follow along the horizontal axis to find the screen size of your TV, or the TV(s) you're considering purchasing. Find where these two variables meet and you'll land in a colored range. Use the legend to determine the resolution of a TV at that combination of size and distance that you'll be able to make out.
You might be surprised: If you sit a normal distance from your TV, (say, 10 to 15 feet) you'll need a fairly large set before even basic HDTV quality starts to become noticeable. At 15 feet away, you need a 45-inch set to see any of the benefit of 720p and nearly an 80-inch set for 1080p to make a difference. I don't know about you, but an 80-inch plasma isn't currently in my budget.
Give the chart a spin: It's definitely something to check out if you're in the market for a new TV, before you get too far in the purchasing process. The full story, with additional information, is located here.
Also worth reading:
Determining the Right HDTV Fit for Your Needs
Finding Out Who's Sending HDTV Signals
Ultra-Cheap Flat Panel TVs... But Are They Any Good?
Comments on How Big a TV Do You Really Need?
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2 Posted by timothylayer on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:10PM EDT Report Abuse
Not sure the author knows how to read his own chart -- acc'd to chart it appears you need at least a 55" screen to begin noticing the benefits of 720p at 15 feet, not 45" screen as stated in the article.
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3 Posted by packerdigital on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:48PM EDT Report Abuse
If you are like most people and want to upgrade your old 4:3 tube tv with a 16:9 widescreen you need to know that 32 inch wide screen will look a lot smaller than your 32 inch stantdard. The reason why is that screen size is still measured diagonally so that widescreen 32 inch will only have a 15.5 inch virtical screen compared to the 19 inches on your old TV. The wide screen will be wider but you will feel the reduction in hieght. Believe me. To have the same virtical height as your old TV you will need to look at a 40 inch which has a screen height of 19.6 inches.
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4 Posted by ultracaliente2002 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:27PM EDT Report Abuse
According to the chart, with a 45" TV, "full benefit of 1080p is visible" at a little over six feet but the "benefit becomes noticeable" around seven feet. With 720p, it's around 10 feet and 8 feet respectively. So he's saying unless you're planning to sit at an atypically close distance to such a large TV (within seven feet), you may as well get a 720p. According to the chart if you're 10 feet away you'd need a 76 inch 1080p for the full benefit. This is interesting to me because I'm planning to buy a 1080p but now I'm not so sure. It will come down to me actually going and looking.
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5 Posted by wizardrsp on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:48PM EDT Report Abuse
I didn't know I need a 45-inch monster or anything close to watch tv from 10 feet distance, now I am enlightened( you may or maynot forgive my sarcasm, but I truly cannot help it.) Ofcourse I dont write only as a response to this article alone but more as a complaint to the whole situation there is in the electronics stores. I would buy a 20 24 26 at the most, at one mpixel even if my eyes couldnot tell the difference just for the sake of technology or just to renew my equipment, but I wouldnt spend a penny to those who want to make easy money exploiting the sweat of the scientists and the ignorance of the public trying to persuade us ,that all of a sudden we 'll have to cover entire walls just to watch tv! Let aside the fact that most of the input sources span between the 300 and 800 kpixels range, which makes the choice of a large surface screen even more useless and costly in the long run..let aside the fact that despite this mad hype about the 1-2mpixel range,this resolution is already outdated technically speaking.Only the merchants will try to convince you that its really cool to spend a fortune:1) to buy a screen bigger than you to boost your ego 2)to effectively watch a resolution far lower on your hdtv than in your lowdtv because of the monstrous surface,because most of the tv stations still dream of the 80's , and because except for the blu-ray and may be some other formats, you ll never find a medium to really enjoy the 1mp resolution for months or years to come..3) to make fun of you once more after a couple of years selling the same equipment at ridiculous prices, now advertising the true 3 mpixel hd :) :)
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6 Posted by sapphire91919 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:04PM EDT Report Abuse
WOW!! WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE I MUST DO FURTHER RESEARCH MYSELF...BUT THANKS FOR THE INFO....
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7 Posted by eli81993 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:53PM EDT Report Abuse
This is an incredibly ill-founded article; I have a 42" HDTV, watch it from almost 30 ft and I can easily notice the HD-SD difference.
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8 Posted by haveittodayray on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:17PM EDT Report Abuse
Just purchased a sharp aquos 52" hdtv. Picture is fantastic , even with sun coming in from the windows, no glare, no mirroring, adjusts to conditions. Simply, hi tech amazing. Thought I was at the movies watching our new tv. Highly recommend it for anyone. RayLanfear
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9 Posted by tiger_mki on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:10PM EDT Report Abuse
I am watching a 72" DLP TV at 15 feet. I can choose the display resolution differences between 720p, 1080i, and 1080p. The issue may be the SOURCE of the signal. It was only after the HD vs Blu-Ray Wars, I was able to decided to buy the Blu-Ray. Being bitten by the "Betamax" format battle, I waited for the smoke to clear. For the benefit of many, the maximum resolution of the Best Cable service is 1080i (interlaced). For the consumer the only source of 1080p is the Blu-Ray disc player while playing a Blu-Ray disc. With the equipment available, I can see the difference in quality of picture with a Blu-Ray disk from that of a 1080i source. You have to have the source and the equipment, THEN you will see the difference in the crispness of the picture. Sources of REAL 1080p media is not wide spread. IMHO,
1 Posted by icysapphire64 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:22PM EDT Report Abuse
Wow...an 80 inch TV? ::imagines watching a movie on that big a screen::