Here is an issue I have seen on other forums but do not recall seeing it here. What does everybody think optimum viewing distance is for 40 inch and 50 inch TVs?

 This may help:

 http://myhometheater.homestead.com/viewingdistancecalculator.html

 Cheers,

 Llewelyn :-)

I guess the rule of thumb applied when we all watched analogue PAL. My cable company replaced their SD cable box some time ago with a different brand with improved video processing - you could instantly move 1 meter closer to the tv with the very same signal. Now, I have moved to an HD decoder and things are more tricky: the HD programming is razor sharp, the SD is as it was

To make a long story short - I sit approx 4 to 5 meters away from a 50". I wouldn't sit any closer than 3 meters and at 6 meters the picture is to small. I moved the TV to a different location a few months ago, which turned out to be 1 meter further away - and I then replaced the 40" with a 50".

Roger

Surely, the optimum  distance is the one that gives you the sharpest picture & most comfortable viewing position?

 John

The recommendations from B&O:

Viewing distances             26”        32”        42”        50”       65”         100”
Standard Definition (NTSC) 2.3 m     2.8 m     3.7 m     4.4 m     5.8 m       8.9 m
Standard Definition (PAL)   1.9 m     2.3 m     3.0 m     3.7 m     4.8 m       7.4 m
High Definition                   1.5 m     1.9 m     2.5 m     2.9 m     3.8 m       5.9 m
Full High Definition             1.0 m     1.2 m     1.6 m     1.9 m     2.5 m       3.9 m

7 x the image height for NTSC
6 x the image height for PAL
4.5 x the image height for High Definition.
3 x the image height for HDTV

 

Thanks for the comments.We are trying to decide between 40 and 50 inch. We sit between 10 and 13 feet from the screen.We feal 46 inch would be perfect, but obviously that is not a choice if we want B and O.

Razlaw,

We view our 50" BV-4 from, 12 feet, would not want it any closer.

Was viewing a 40-inch from same distance and it was a strain at times. To me if there is too much open space (wall) around screen it's hard to watch IMHO. 

Good luck. 

Roger

Now I am really confused. My chair is 10 feet away, our sectional sofa ranges from about 12-13 feet where my wife usually sits, to a couple feet morefurther away  to a few feet closer as one moves around the corner on the sectional.  Too bad B and O does not make a 46 inch.

Absolutely agree with the assertion! And there's one more thing I find to be a bonus (with certain B&O sets): when I toss about on the sofa the STAND command really becomes handy...