TV VIEWING DISTANCE QUESTION


I am in the market for a new TV and I wish to take advantage of the new 1080P technology. My short list includes the Samsung 5678 (56 inch picture 16/9 measured diagonally). I plan to sit about 11 feet 6 inches from the
TV.
Last night I watched a movie at a friend's house on her new 42 inch Sony Plasma TV and I was sitting about 11 feet
from the TV. Today I had a major headache, sort of the way I feel when I am sitting too close in a movie theatre.
In a movie theater I am comfortable near the back.
My research tells me that to really enjoy high def its best to sit 8-11 feet away and most manufacturers say there is no problem sitting 11 feet away from a 56 inch tv.
Anybody have any experience with this and any suggestions
would be welcome. I currently have a 34inch Sony XBR 16/9 CRT which is great, but I wanted a bigger picture. I would hate to spend $4000 on a 56 inch TV and find that its too much tv for the room. Or could it be that I have a particular personal sensitivity to sitting that close?
kjl

Showing 1 response by teonyc

As others have responded, light, flickering or sudden changes in light to dark can stimulate headaches. Also keeping your eyes focused on a single point for extended periods that are different than your usual focal length can do the same.

With respect to screen size, use your own subjective experience and taste. Going by the numbers is a good place to start, but you may find a smaller screen to be more comfortable if you regularly experience headaches. Room decor can also be a big difference. If a 42" screen is mounted on a dark background, you may get the same immersion as a larger screen on a light-color wall. I recently made this change, and the difference was spectacular.