[tdallen]

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?

 

[Cleveland Plasma]

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

 

[duffman13]

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

 

[James W. Johnson]



Quote:
Too big, too close?

There is no such animal in the world of HDTV.

 

[whityfrd]

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?

 

[chrisherbert]

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

 

[tdallen]

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

.

 

[James W. Johnson]

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....

 

[uminchu]

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.

 

[James W. Johnson]

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.

 

[whityfrd]

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

 

[CETA1]

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

. The NE didn't work for me.


GO BIG and don't second guess it.


Rick

 

[tdallen]

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...

 

[xrox]

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.

 

[tdallen]

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...).