Comments on: LCD TV Size & Optimal Viewing Distance

By: TheBestLCDTV.com

TheBestLCDTV.com — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 04:40:58 +0000

@John P Sartin: The bigger the better. For 1080p the optimal distance for a 65 inch screen is 8.5feet. For 720p the optimal distance is 12 feet. Do not expect top detail at that distance. You would need a very large screen to have an optimal image at that distance - a projector or large rear projection TV.

By: john P Sartin

john P Sartin — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 03:58:19 +0000

I am sitting 16 Feet from the screen and needed to know what sizeTV I sholud buy? I cant decide b etween and 70″ or a 65″ Sony

By: TheBestLCDTV.com

TheBestLCDTV.com — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:28:20 +0000

@George D: Both 720p and 1080p are HDTV. SDTV (480i) will look relatively bad on both. However, due to the image processing system in the TV, you can get a slightly larger set than the recommended size for your distance. Just make sure you read reviews and buy a HDTV that has good SDTV performance (e.g. noise reduction, good upscaling performance, etc). I strongly suggest that you get HD programs (cable or satellite) because it’s worth it. Not to mention a blu ray player. Good luck.

By: George D

George D — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:25:53 +0000

Thanks. I plan on getting a 50″ for a distance of 11.5′, so the screen size is much larger than recommended for SDTV therefore I’ll see a worse picture watching SDTV if I opt for a HDTV set, compared to a 720p set.

By: TheBestLCDTV.com

TheBestLCDTV.com — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 12:39:07 +0000

@George D: It can’t be worse. However if the screen size is much larger than the optimal size for SDTV at that specific distance, the picture will be “softer”. Because you resize a small image to fit the big screen.

By: George D

George D — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:29:14 +0000

On the same topic: with STDV, 1080p would not offer any advantage, or might it even be worse?

Thanks!

By: TheBestLCDTV.com

TheBestLCDTV.com — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 21:38:04 +0000

@Ignacio Delcorto: It depends what type of content you are watching. If you’re watching SDTV and/or regular DVDs it si obvious you should get a 720p model as a 1080p one would offer no advantage. If you’re watching HDTV (including blu-ray) go for 720p if you’re buying a 42 inch model, or go for 1080p if you’re buying a model above 60 inch. Optimal screen size for 1080p/i at your distance is 65 inch. Remember that it doesn’t matter if the TV is 1080p or not, unless you are watching 1080p or 1080i content on it.

By: Ignacio Delcorto

Ignacio Delcorto — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 07:48:24 +0000

Hi,

Great website and information to boot. I have a question, my wife is wanting a new TV and shes looking at various Panasonics and LGs. I say 720P she says 1080P, its going into our bedroom and the viewing distance is approximately 9Ft (108in) what would you recommend in a 42in flavor, 720 or 1080? Or is there a size you recommend, there is no lighting issue present.

Thank you so much,

Ignacio