Possible to go too big?

Originally Posted by rst21

I'm looking for a new TV for my multi-purpose living room - and by that I mean, the room is used to watch TV/play video games less than 25% of the time. The viewing distance is 13 feet. For that distance, the consensus screen size on the online calculators seems to be about 60 inches. I cut out a piece of cardboard the size of a 60 inch screen and hung it on the wall - it looks huge, and maybe too huge! I'm concerned that the TV will dominate the room and take away from the the other interior design improvements we've made the room recently (like a brand new fireplace).

But everything I've read and everyone I've talked to says to go big, that no one regrets going big but that some folks regret going small. Is that true? Has anyone on here bought a TV that they later regretted as being too big for the room? And at 13 feet, will I really be disappointed if I go 55 inches? I've tried to compare the sizes at Best Buy, and am having a hard time telling whether I'd care.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!!

Originally Posted by rst21

I'm looking for a new TV for my multi-purpose living room - and by that I mean, the room is used to watch TV/play video games less than 25% of the time. The viewing distance is 13 feet. For that distance, the consensus screen size on the online calculators seems to be about 60 inches. I cut out a piece of cardboard the size of a 60 inch screen and hung it on the wall - it looks huge, and maybe too huge! I'm concerned that the TV will dominate the room and take away from the the other interior design improvements we've made the room recently (like a brand new fireplace).

Originally Posted by tony123

LOL. 168" @ 11'.

It's a beautiful thing when the screen dominates the room.

Originally Posted by amartin56

if you are concerned about going too big i've watched a 60 inch at roughly 12 feet for years and i think it's just about right. Doesn't provide the same in your face feel that a movie theater does, but then again that is what movie theaters are for imo.

Keep in mind that in general picture quality improves with distance up to a certain point. If you go huge and sit close you'd better stick to high quality hidef content and get a high end tv!

Originally Posted by AMartin56

If you are concerned about going too big I've watched a 60 inch at roughly 12 feet for years and I think it's just about right. Doesn't provide the same in your face feel that a movie theater does, but then again that is what movie theaters are for IMO.

Keep in mind that in general picture quality improves with distance up to a certain point. If you go HUGE and sit close you'd better stick to high quality HiDef content and get a high end TV!

Originally Posted by rst21

I'm looking for a new TV for my multi-purpose living room - and by that I mean, the room is used to watch TV/play video games less than 25% of the time. The viewing distance is 13 feet. For that distance, the consensus screen size on the online calculators seems to be about 60 inches. I cut out a piece of cardboard the size of a 60 inch screen and hung it on the wall - it looks huge, and maybe too huge! I'm concerned that the TV will dominate the room and take away from the the other interior design improvements we've made the room recently (like a brand new fireplace).

But everything I've read and everyone I've talked to says to go big, that no one regrets going big but that some folks regret going small. Is that true? Has anyone on here bought a TV that they later regretted as being too big for the room? And at 13 feet, will I really be disappointed if I go 55 inches? I've tried to compare the sizes at Best Buy, and am having a hard time telling whether I'd care.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!!

Originally Posted by rst21

I'm looking for a new TV for my multi-purpose living room - and by that I mean, the room is used to watch TV/play video games less than 25% of the time. The viewing distance is 13 feet. For that distance, the consensus screen size on the online calculators seems to be about 60 inches. I cut out a piece of cardboard the size of a 60 inch screen and hung it on the wall - it looks huge, and maybe too huge! I'm concerned that the TV will dominate the room and take away from the the other interior design improvements we've made the room recently (like a brand new fireplace).

But everything I've read and everyone I've talked to says to go big, that no one regrets going big but that some folks regret going small. Is that true? Has anyone on here bought a TV that they later regretted as being too big for the room? And at 13 feet, will I really be disappointed if I go 55 inches? I've tried to compare the sizes at Best Buy, and am having a hard time telling whether I'd care.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!!

Originally Posted by BoilerJim

Why do I almost never see anybody sitting on the first 2-3 rows of a movie theater?

Originally Posted by BoilerJim

Why do I almost never see anybody sitting on the first 2-3 rows of a movie theater?

Originally Posted by DaGamePimp

I am friends with a BB-MagHT employee who tells me the number one reason given for these bigger displays being returned is "Too Big" and most of the time the customers do indeed exchange for a smaller display. Now is this telling or not... well as enthusiasts and not average consumers most here at AVS will say that's 'crazy talk' but there are guidelines for a reason (choosing to follow them or not is, of course, a personal choice).

Jason