Comments on: Plasma TV Size & Optimal Viewing Distance

By: TheBestPlasmaTV.com

TheBestPlasmaTV.com — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 08:16:24 +0000

@verne rind: Yeah, 65 inch sounds right. Check out the top of best 60-65inch plasma TVs on this site.

By: TheBestPlasmaTV.com

TheBestPlasmaTV.com — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 07:57:27 +0000

@Ed: The largest 720p plasma TV models are 50 inch. There are no 720p HDTVs larger than that. HD channels (1080i and 720p) look better than SD and DVDs (480p). Also, DVDs don’t really look that bad either, they just have a softer image as opposed to the sharp and crisp image of HD programs and Blu Ray movies. For 15 feet, 58 inch is not big at all. You could even go as high as 65 inch if you put more value on how HD looks and you think you will eliminate DVDs in favor of Blu Ray, in the future.

By: TheBestPlasmaTV.com

TheBestPlasmaTV.com — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 07:34:27 +0000

@Steve Carter: It depends what content you are watching (HD or SD). Read the comments on this page. I have already answered almost identical questions.

By: TheBestPlasmaTV.com

TheBestPlasmaTV.com — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 06:55:45 +0000

@Ahmed: Read the comments on this page and you will find answers to questions similar to yours. It is not a simple yes/no answer, and only you know what you prefer more. As a suggestion, if you will buy a Blu Ray player and eventually switch to HDTV, buy a bigger screen - maybe 54-58 inch. It won’t make a difference now, but it will when you watch Blu-Ray and HDTV.

By: TheBestPlasmaTV.com

TheBestPlasmaTV.com — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 06:39:36 +0000

@Stef: The center of the screen should be at the same level with your eyes. If you have to mount the TV higher, you can use a tilting wall mount, however if it is too high and you’re sitting close to the TV, it might be uncomfortable to watch it for extended periods of time, because your neck might be too stretched.

By: TheBestPlasmaTV.com

TheBestPlasmaTV.com — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 22:50:36 +0000

@Stu: The major reason why you would want to buy a 1080p HDTV is the picture quality. All 720p models are entry-level and have decent but not great picture quality. Picture quality is more important than resolution fro the overall experience. So if you have the money for a mid-end or high-end HDTV (all those are 1080p), such a TV will offer you a better experience. Regarding future-proofing, most (not all) 720p TVs accept 1080p input so they can play Blu Ray and HDTV programs anyway. So, if you have the money, buy a mid-end or high-end TV because it is better overall not because it is 1080p.

By: TheBestPlasmaTV.com

TheBestPlasmaTV.com — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 15:09:01 +0000

@Edgar: You have made a good point. I always recommend people to go and look at a HDTV with their own eyes before buying. However, some prefer to just research online and have the TV shipped to their home. In my opinion, choosing the perfect TV is a highly subjective process (as you have noted as well). Personally I have researched quite a lot before buying my TV (and any device for that matter). Some people however, just want a good TV without too much research and hassle.

By: TheBestPlasmaTV.com

TheBestPlasmaTV.com — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:57:35 +0000

@Eric:
a) The recommended plasma TV models are on the homepage (grouped by size). Frankly all 720p models are entry-level/budget. If you value quality more than you value price, you should stick to one of the 1080p mid-end lines. They have significantly improved picture quality over the 720p models. As a parenthesis here, Pioneer 720p models (e.g. PDP-5080HD and PDP-4280HD from 2007) were the only top quality 720p models.
b) Samsung PN50B550 is a good choice as you have noted. To balance between SD and HD, the size is right too. Naturally, for a great HD experience you would have to buy a 63 or 65 inch HDTV.
c) I am not sure what you mean by “open merchandise”. If it is “open product packages”, they are OK as long as you can be sure the product is in fact new. I highly recommend against refurbished or used HDTVs (especially plasma TVs).

By: verne rind

verne rind — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 04:27:44 +0000

I currently own a sony xbr 57 inch hdtv and have had it for 8 years.Upgrade time, I AM 10 ft from the set,I have comcast HD a PS3 and watch sports,(football,hockey) I am leaning towards a 65 plasma I don’t need too many hdmi inputs,as everything run through my Denon AV receiver, and the one hdmi from the receiver goes to the TV,with optical audio, I was considering DlP,but it is just too close to what Ihave.Any sugestions? obviously looking for biggest bang for my buck.
Thanks for the forum, it a very helpful read.

Verne

By: Ed

Ed — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 04:51:14 +0000

OK another sizing question with a bit of a wrinkle. My room is 10′ x 16′ long. We have a couch at one end ( so seating is 15′ or so) and another couch along one of the walls ( seating is about 8′ to 12′ on this couch). I’ve decided on a plasma for this room for movies and sports, no light problems.

Will be watching mostly cable tv with some hd channels, blue ray movies as they come out and some older dvd’s on the blue ray player.

At the 15′ seating, I’m not gonna benefit at all by going 1080p tv, 720p would be more than enough at about 58″ tv size. At the 8′ to 12′ couch 1080p would be beneficial at 58″ tv size.

From other posts it looks like except for the blue ray movies, 1080p will be of no benefit for cable tv, the current hd channel qualities or the dvd’s and might make those inputs look even worse. Correct?

I think 720p may be the way to go but will I regret it in a few years when better and more cable hd channels come online?

Is there a way for me to buy the 1080p version and enusre good quality picture from cable tv by changing where I sit or adjusting a tv setting?

Any other suggestions.

thanks in advance,