I have a viewing situation that calls for a 42" 1080p plasma (5.5 - 7.5'). As I consider spending ~$850 (Panasonic 80U) to ~$1750 (Panasonic 800U), though, I'm struck by the more aggressive pricing available on bigger sets.

So, instead of buying a 42" plasma, I'm thinking about relocating my 50" Pioneer PDP-5016HD 768p into this room and buying something bigger to replace it. I like this 50", but by most standards it's a little too big for this situation. Have any of you tried living with a plasma that is too big, or too close based on the standard viewing distance calculators? How did it go?

7FT is perfect for a 50", I think you will be ok.

i don't think anybody has ever been disappointed by having a TV be too big, except maybe somebody's wife

Too big, too close?

There is no such animal in the world of HDTV.

your gonna have a hard time adjusting to the smaller screen. as long as your not anal about stuff like that go ahead and get the 42". or if you get a good deal on a new 50" your viewing distance should be fine as long as its 1080p. less chance of sde ya know?

I think a 50" 1080p will be fine. With a 50" 720p you may be able to see the pixels.

Since I already have the 50" and would just relocate it, it's a 768p and would be between 5.5' and 7.5' depending on how the room is arranged. Sounds like I should try to push the distance towards 7' if I go that route, rather than buying a 42".

The room where the 50" is currently located is calling out for a 58"+ set. Desperately crying out for it, in fact ;).

I went thru this myself , I bought a 46" Sony Z series LCD. I sit 9.5' back
46" was too small , so I upgraded to a 60" which is about perfect.

Take a look at this chart....
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadgethd.com/media/2006/12/resolution_chart.jpg

I think you're ok with 50. I sit 8 feet from a 50" panel. I'm happy with it, but if I had it to do over again, I'd go bigger.

Id say:
Always buy the biggest diplay you can afford.

That is the motto I am gonna use from now on.
I think I got a buyer for my 46" Sony LCD, I am gonna take a $1500 loss.
This was an expensive lesson.

i think size or lack thereof is the biggest contributor to buyers remorse and upgrades. so i have to agree with the above post.

I was trying a 60 inch from 7.5 feet and I loved it.

When I returned my 50 back to the stand after having the 60 in place for a week I was very bummed..

About a month away from the 151 :D. The NE didn't work for me.

GO BIG and don't second guess it.

Rick

I guess this whole thing stems from a delayed case of buyer's remorse, now that you bring it up.

I have an older 50" today, in a room that really wants 58"+. So if I buy that 58"+ (there are some nice prices on big sets right now) and move the old 50" 720p into a much smaller room, will I regret viewing it from a lot closer (5.5 - 7.5')? Sounds like the consensus is to give it a try...

We have 6 seats ranging from 5' to 15' away from our 60" plasma. When we have movie night we move all seats to within 6' of the TV :) As long as the source is blu-ray I find being that close to be awesome. Anything less than blu-ray and we have to move the seats back.

Good point, the source for this older 50" is going to be a mix of 720p/1080i Comcast HD and some SD programming. Maybe some standard DVD, but Blu-ray is unlikely (I'll put Blu-ray on the 58"+, assuming I buy it...).