Veiwing distance help before purchase

[LT9000]

Ready to pull the trigger on a HD plasma but am confused about veiwing distance. The web advice is confusing me and varies. Veiwing distance will be about 12 ft straight on with more seating (a couch) off to the side but closer in by a few ft. (unless I rearrange my furniture because of this I suppose.)

My screen choices for this deal are either 42 or 54.

[zoobie]

Before purchase?
That would be quite a trick.

[FulciLives]

I sit around 6 to 7 feet from a 51" 16x9 WS HDTV display and this distance is fine with DVD and HDTV but with lower quality sources like cable TV (analog or digital) and VHS one could argue that being further back would be better.

If the viewing distance is 12 feet then I would definately go for the 54" model.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[SingSing]

My arrangement is 6 to 7 feet for 50+" TV. Get a set that you can hardly see artifact or ghost with DVD play back at that distant. It is a relatively easy to meet expectation.
This is an essential and simple issue before one put down K$. It is nice for you to post this for general awareness.

[edDV]

Well researched by the NHK, SMPTE and THX

Use this calculator.
http://www.myhometheater.homestead.com/viewingdistancecalculator.html
If you watch from greater distances, EDTV is probably good enough for you.

Put the sofa or the TV on wheels so you can adjust viewing distance for SD vs HD. I put the wheels on the sofa

[InXess]

I'd start with an eye test at your local optometrist