Huge Bean

I'm moving in to a new apt in two week and i'd really like to get a nice widescreen HDTV. As far as which tv to get, i've done my research. It's the size i'm debating.

Here's a shot of the room i'll be putting it into:



I plan to use a similar layout but of course with different furniture.
The room sizes are approx. as i measured them with literally my feet (which ar 0.96ft) and not very preciselyy. So i'd say the dimensions are plus or minus a foot.

Now the online calculators basically tell me that it's perfect dimensions for a 51" if i'm watching HD of DVD quality images and it's too small if i'm watching SDTV. I plan to watch about 50/50.

So, based on personal experiences, what would you recommend? Price is, right now, a non-factor since there are some sales around with 51" sets costing as much as their 46" counterparts. In fact, it seems to be getting harder to find 46" sets.

Pistol Pete

I sit about 7' from a 62" 4:3 HDTV. Works for me. You''ll never regret going bigger, unless WAF is an issue.

Deftones

I'm about 6 - 7' from my 55" HDTV set. It looks a bit grainy on SD telecasts. Other than that, I think it would also depend on the type of set. You might get better bang for your buck from an LCD or Plasma or DLP sinply because it will take up less space than an RPTV.

Daytona24

I just got a 42 RP LCD Sony, I sit 8-9 feet from the TV and its perfect. Bigger that close is not recommeded. You can do it but you will see the TVs imperfections or perfections if you prefer too good. The farther back you sit the better. I thought I needed a bigger TV but I got the 42 home today and am VERY happy with it

What are you watching TV on now, if thats your TV you will be getting a big upgrade. I went from a 32 inch TV to the 42, standard 4:3 on a 42 is 34 inches so even that was an upgrade.

Sdallnct

I'd go bigger as well. With the increase in quality of even SD TV (especially if you move to HD), I think you will fine.

DVD Polizei

I wouldn't go any bigger than 51". At least from what your current viewing position is. You probably would be fine with a slightly bigger screen if you only viewed DVDs and HD programs only or 90% of viewing time, but if you have satellite or any type of "digital" broadcast that is not HD and you regularly watch programs, you will be annoyed. Personally, I am not getting a larger set than 51".

Huge Bean

I definetly have no plans to go bigger than 51" for this setup. It's really more about 46" or 51" (or maybe 42-44 if i find one i like, but those are rare in my price range.) And it would indeed be a RPTV as LCD/Plasma/DLP are not within budget.

Being single -or unmarried rather - the WAF is not a factor, but at the same time i don't want a freakish TV taking up the entire living room Then again, i guess dimensions-wise a 51" RPTV isn't too much bigger than a 46".

Comparing Toshiba 46H84 with 51H84:
Width 43.37 in.
Depth 21.87 in.
Height 40.5 in.
Weight 143 lb.

Width 47.56 in.
Depth 22.5 in.
Height 50.5 in.
Weight 169 lb

Interesting how the depth there is almost identical. The increased 10" of the 51 also makes me think i might not need a stand either?

Daytona24

You can get a RP LCD for not much more than an RP CRT and you will be able to view it closer plus from the sides. I have not had mine long (1 day) but I can attest its a great TV and for me I held out A LONG time because I knew I didnt want a CRT TV and it was worth the wait for the LCD plus it takes up less room and is MUCH lighter! If its $$$ thats making your decision wait, thats all Id say.

Red Dog

Same here. I got the 42" Sony Grand Wega and it is perfect for that distance. There is still a good amount of SD programming I watch and I didn't want something so big where graniness would be a major factor given the short distance.

My recommendation would be to go no bigger than 46" and strongly consider 42" particularly given how much SD you will still be watching.

Huge Bean

If it was a close call $ wise, i'd cosnider it, but from the prices i see locally a RP LCD is about twice the price. Although one option would be to get some 'filler' tv in the meantime until i could afford the LCD.

Spiky

51" for 8-9' viewing, definitely. Get it calibrated after 6 months, it will help.

Are you sure about 12.5'? It looks smaller, more like 11'. That could actually make the difference between 46 and 51" sets, at least for me.

DVD Josh

Something to keep in mind - anything below 50" cannot show in true HD resolution because of a lack of pixels. At least that's what I read on the AVS forum if I'm remember correctly. On that alone I'd go with the 51".

HOWEVER, sitting that close, you may prefer to go smaller, perhaps even 42". The perspective may work better for you and feel more comfortable on your eyes.

Spiky

Josh, that's for plasmas. It was quite a shock when someone first told me that. Just check the specs on any 42" plasma. I believe the Toshibas in question are CRT, although I haven't checked. CRT RPTVs do 1080i HD resolution.

There is an issue with the width of CRT RPTVs, I don't believe anything smaller than 9" guns can do 1920w x 1080h. They can't quite handle 1920. But I believe the networks aren't actually broadcasting in true 1920x1080, either.

Huge Bean

I measured using my feet and wasn't 100% precise. Given that my feet at 0.95ft in length and assuming i was over by about half a foot, that puts the room at about 11.5 ft width. Not sure if that would be a big enough change to go from 51 to 46.

nightmaster

I'd go bigger. It's amazing how much smaller your set gets the longer you own it .

Sdallnct

Damm that is exactly what my wife says....

Huge Bean

Well, thanks for the feedback everyone. I think I've decided to go with the Toshiba 51H84 esspecially after putting together my floor layout plan it seems like it should be a good fit:

DVD Josh

Just trying to learn more, but why just for plasmas and not LCDs or DLPs?

Spiky

Plasmas apparently don't make the "pixels" small enough to fit HD res into a 42" screen. Seems strange that they can't do this, but whatever. If you get real specs on these, you will find they are 1024x768 or less. That's big enough vertical, but not horizontal. They are still almost always HDTV Ready, but they downconvert to native, which is not technically HD.

LCD can fit enough "pixels", whether a big panel like plasma or a tiny one in a projector, although not all of them are HD resolution. DLP is a chip smaller than 1 inch across and can either be HD res or not. You just have to check the native resolution specs if you want actual HDTV.

DVD Josh

Wow, you are just like Flint!!

pmreed

Good call on the 51". I sit 12 feet from a Pioneer 64" CRT HD RPTV and love it.

Phil

drmoze

If it's not too late, I'd recommend a Mitsu 55" over the Toshiba any day. Probably close in price, better pq, tweakability and reliability.

animalmystic

I have a 52" Hitachi HD LCD and I love it. I have it set up about 9-10 away from my viewing area and it works good for me. The HD telecasts look great, and the non HD ones are tolerable DVD viewing is great too. My apt is 750 sq feet and its perfect for me

j123vt_99

i just ordered my 51h84 yesterday..