TVs - How big is too big?

[Manhattan]

Considering a new TV purchase. Current TV is 40 inches and feels pretty small even in my one bedroom apt. So how big is too big for a small place? Originally considering 55 inches but the Sharp AQUOS 70 inch has really caught my eye.

[cet]

I'd start with how far away you sit then use that as a base for tv size. A lot of it comes down to viewing angles and different standards. If you really want you can play about with a viewing distance calculator found here

For example, using the calculator for a 70" screen
SMTPE minimum is about 9 feet.
THX recommended is about 8.5 feet

I find if you have a base point you can adjust slightly based on your preferences

[Inzane]

How much garage is too much garage?
How much hard drive space is too much HD space?
etc.

Buy the biggest TV you can afford.

[suntan]

When it doesn't fit in the room. That is too big. So get a bigger room.

[Kloubek]

Cet really has the most accurate answer.... but it all has to do with prefrence. We have a 51", and in my opinion it is the perfect size when viewing it from 6 feet away.

But then, we really use the TV for regular viewing. For movies, I have a projector. So perhaps under movie circumstances, you'd want bigger.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

I have a 60" on my dresser in my room, fits just fine.

70"+ is the way to go if you can afford it.

[WhippWhapp]

If the pixel structure bothers you, then it's too big.

[Manhattan]

I really don't watch a lot of movies. Mostly used for sports and a few news shows and documentaries here and there. Seems kinda ridiculous to watch the news on a wall sized TV.

[HiTempguy1]

Originally posted by WhippWhapp
If the pixel structure bothers you, then it's too big.

Ding.

Having said that, next TV I buy will be a 60" minimum. I use a 32" as my current TV/monitor, but I rent a room, so anything bigger isn't necessary.

Everyone I've met who has a 42" to 55" flat panel in any sort of living room/entertainment room is TOO small.

[Kramerica]

[taemo]

We were originally planning on going 70+ but I think we have decided to settle down for a nice 60" since we think the size will be more than enough from 10ft away.
this is on a 15x15 room.

if money is not an issue, then 70+ is the way to go but you'll have to spend over 2500 for a good one

[duaner]

Originally posted by Manhattan
Considering a new TV purchase. Current TV is 40 inches and feels pretty small even in my one bedroom apt. So how big is too big for a small place? Originally considering 55 inches but the Sharp AQUOS 70 inch has really caught my eye.

It depends on who you ask and what you want the end result to be. Some people just think that bigger is better and like the "wow" factor. Such people often think that more power in a sound system means the system is better than other ones, or that more power in a car means the car is better (the most common selling point of many American vehicles, IMO--if you don't have quality, may as well just give it more power).

If you ask an interior designer, you will get a different answer that will be about proportion and how it "works" in a room.

Do you just want big and don't care as much about how it all looks and works with the room?

I have a 26" and sit 8'-9' away and for the most part it's fine in my rather small living room. Once it dies I will go to 40"-42" since I really don't need anything bigger in a small room (10' x 12" or so).

[Mitsu3000gt]

I don't think I've ever heard someone complain because their TV is too big. With 1080P, you can be very close to it and you won't see any pixelation.

I sit 7.5 feet from a 74" and it looks stunning. I definitely wouldn't want smaller.

Personally I'd buy the biggest TV you can afford, as real estate will almost always be more appreciated than the slightly better picture of a smaller, higher end TV.

65" and under I'd get a plasma, any bigger and you might as well go buy the 70/80/90" Sharp's from Costco. Doesn't sound like a projector would work well for your situation.

[Lex350]

From a design point of view I think most people tend to put to big a TV in their room to the point that it dominates everything else. I guess that's ok if that is your true love in your life.


More than anything consider the viewing angle. There is so much free stuff on the net about determining that.

[Moonracer]

Too big is when your debit card gets declined at the checkout.

[Maxx Mazda]

Too big? Is there such a thing as "too big" for a TV?

[A790]

I sit 6 ft away from my 55" TV. It was a really big adjustment at first.

[heavyfuel]

LR I'm about 12' from my 60", I'm happy with it. BR my head is maybe 8' from my 42", equally satisfactory.

[EK69]

Figure out how far the tv will be from where u will watch it.
Go to a store and stand that far away and see what u like and what agrees with ur wallet

[CapnCrunch]

I sit 12' from a 50". Maybe you guys just need thicker glasses? lol.