How big is too big...?

Question

When it comes to household television sets?

Answer 1

It is largely personal choice. That is why some people like to sit in the front row at the cinema, while others sit half way or all the way back. Practically speaking "too big" is when, in long viewing sessions, the eyes and/or neck get tired/sore from moving around to see the action at the extremes of the screen. Maybe that is why IMAX theatres, with their extreme image size, show short films!

That said, there are certain guidelines that a wise consumer will consider for home theatre planning purposes. The link below lists all major "standards" and provides a calculator so you can quickly see recommendations for YOUR room/display... usually based on the angle subtended by the screen width (typically recommended to be between 26 to 36 degrees).

Note the link to a second page that deals with another factor which needs to be considered ... vertical angle and minimum screen height. To this can be added the guideline that screen height should be such that the eye of the viewer (typically about 40" above the floor level) should be about 1/3 of the way up the screen.

While there is a temptation to have a really big screen the calculator at the link below reveals that it isn't size that matters, but angle subtended from the viewing position. If you think about it, a 50" screen at 8' looks the same size as a 100" screen at 16' (assuming the same aspect ratio), so don't necessarily plan on a bigger screen if a smaller one will give you a suitable "size" (read angle) image at a distance that works for your room.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Find a television with a horizontal length
that is ¼-to-½ the length of the viewing
distance. For example, if your viewing
distance is 10 feet away from where
the television will sit, then get a TV that
measures anywhere from 30 - 60 inches.

Compare picture quality of different TVs in
person to find the one you like the best. To
get started, I recommend either Sony for
LCD, or Pioneer Elite for plasma.

H a p p y
H o m e
T h e a t e r i n g !

Answer 3

It would depend on the size of the room and your typical viewing distance (couch to the TV): ....with respect to Hi Def TVs, the general rule is that you can sit as close as twice the diagonal screen size.-- about 8 feet away for a 46-inch or a bit more for a 50-inch diagonal screen.

As far as how big is too big ... i would say an imax household screen (joking... yes i know no such thing exists) ;-)

Answer 4

To a guy, no screen is too big. :)

A formula similar to the one posted by the earlier responder would probably be best, though I think they're a little too conservative. If you're going to be eight feet away from the screen, a 50" set would probably be ideal for people who want the "home theater" experience...at 12 feet, you can go much larger.

Answer 5

There probably isn't an "absolute" in terms of too big ... the size should be appropriate to the room. If the screen is too big for the room, then you end up not being able to see it all at once, having to look back and forth from side to side, seeing artifacts like screen door effect or textures of a rear proj. screen, etc.

Answer 6

Standard rule of thumb measure the distance from where the tv will be to where you will sit, in inches. Divide that number by three, thats the largest screen size you should get.
Example: in my living room the tv is 12 feet from where we sit. So, 144 inches divided by 3 is 48, so the largest screen size for my room is 48 inches.

Answer 7

I have a 48" in my 12' by 12' room. It seemed to big at first, now i wouldn't mind a 60" and I don't even have Hi def.

Answer 8

There's no such thing.

I had a drive-in theatre screen dropped in by helicopter to where my roof used to be. Four days later I was bored and wondered if I could use Wynona Judd's butt in white boxers for an improved screen.

Answer 9

I have a 46 inch and it is plenty big enough. Actually 42inch is probably the perfect size unless your room is huge.

Answer 10

No such thing! Especially if you use a projector which weighs nothing and can be moved about easily yet can project images as large as your wall.