Too close to 42" plasma?

alx · 27 Oct 2010 at 15:23

I'm currently in the process of rearranging/decorating a downstairs games room in order to put my 42" plasma (720p) in it. Only problem is that due to the size and layout of the room the best place to position the TV and sofa would mean that you'd be watching the TV from about 6ft away.

Seeing as my TV is packed away atm, is it even worth getting it out to see how it feels at this distance? Or is it far too close?

Just wanted some opinions before I decide to waste a load of effort unpacking it and setting it up (TV would have to be packed away again as room isn't ready, hence my request).

Thanks

Skully · 27 Oct 2010 at 15:24

Not too close, I used to sit about five foot away from my 42" and it was fine.

oli356 · 27 Oct 2010 at 15:24

Sounds to close for a 42" imo

Nymins · 27 Oct 2010 at 15:25

That distance is fine.

alx · 27 Oct 2010 at 15:40

I think I'll take it out and give it a try, looks like it's down to personal preference.

EniGmA1981 · 27 Oct 2010 at 15:45

I sit about 6ft away from my 37" so a 42" should be ok too at that distance

Won't be TOO close, but it may be borderline... at worst it'll be "as close as you should be" any closer would be bad IMO

Bassmansam · 28 Oct 2010 at 12:22

I sit about 4 ft from my 42 inch although its LED so i dont know if that makes a difference to plasma.

terminator2k2 · 28 Oct 2010 at 13:12

im around 6ft from a panny 42 inch plasma.....it looks fine here...missus would be first to complain and 2 years on...no complaints yet.....

alx · 28 Oct 2010 at 13:24

Thanks for the replies guys, think I'll go with wall mounting the tv so it's ~6-7ft away - best setup overall for the room as well.

rikky · 28 Oct 2010 at 17:59

I would say for gaming and High Def viewing that would be an ideal distance - any further from that and you are not really going to get the full benefits of High Def.

Only major problem would be that you might see some of the imperfections in standard def. material but hopefully your plasma should do a good job of upscaling that.

alx · 28 Oct 2010 at 22:13

I actually tried it today and it was pretty good, SD looked ok (when it's actually set up I'll prob be able to sit about another foot away).

Got another question, would be surround sound (5.1 system) be suitable for the room if it was set up as shown below? (thought it would be easier to a post a roughly to scale image than trying to describe it)

I was thinking of getting a Onkyo HT-S3305 5.1 system and wall mounting the speakers, good idea or is the space too small? Would rather ask a (silly) question first than waste the money on something that isn't worth it.

Chris1712 · 28 Oct 2010 at 22:54

Divide the size of your screen by .84, so a smidge over 5 feet is ideal.

Corasik · 29 Oct 2010 at 02:15

Its pretty hard to be "too big", or too close. You have to be sitting almost on top of the TV before it has a similar viewing angle/area as a real movie theatre, and its not like you have to keep craneing your neck from side to side to follow the action at the cinema.

42inch at 5ft, with a 1080p set.. lovely... 60 inch at 7-8ft, thats nice too

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EniGmA1981 · 29 Oct 2010 at 05:56

I'd say that room looks a decent size for a 5.1 setup - I wouldn't say it's too small for it

That Onkyo system has nice sized speakers too so they won't look too big in there either

alx · 29 Oct 2010 at 08:43

EniGmA1981 said:
I'd say that room looks a decent size for a 5.1 setup - I wouldn't say it's too small for it

That Onkyo system has nice sized speakers too so they won't look too big in there either

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. Will hopefully look good when wall mounted.

On that popular auction site you can get a refurbished Onkyo HT-S3305 system for about £230 (rather than the new price of £300) with a 1 year warranty - does that sound like a good deal or should I just go for a new one?

utajoker · 30 Oct 2010 at 09:56

Your only too close if u have to turn your head to see the other half of the screen

D-Ranged · 30 Oct 2010 at 13:21

I sit around 6-7ft away from my 50" plasma and its fine.