42" vs 50" plasma

[cyclistca]

I've been looking at HDTV for my condo and I've narrowed it down to the two models in the Panasonic PX77U line. I can not decide between the 42" and 50" model. It comes down to what is appropriate for my viewing distance. I sit between 6 and 8 feet from the TV (The sofa is at an angle). From looking at sizing charter it seems the 50" would work but I'm concerned that it going to look like a monster sitting in my small living room. Never mind the problems of getting it into my place and setting it up.

Any help appreciated.

 

[cpals]

Bigger is better!

 

[Muadib]

I sit between 8'-10' from my tv, and I have a 56". I've never heard that it's too big once I had it setup. I say go for the 50", and if you think it's too big, you can take it back. I don't think you will though.

Why would you have problems getting it into your place? It's a plasma, it's skinny.

 

[spidey07]

At LEAST 50". Remember most HD content is 1080 so size for full benefit of 1080p.

 

[WheelsCSM]

Get the 50"

I was in the same position as you a couple months ago & decided to go with the 50". Now that I have it on the wall, I can't imagine getting anything smaller, especially with the prices of the 50" units vs. the smaller stuff. I sit 8' away and it's perfect. All my family was checking it out over Christmas and they agreed you would not want to go smaller.

This really is one case where bigger is almost always better, and it's hard to go too big. If you're like me, you will think it's big at first, but after 2-3 weeks you will be used to it and wanting something even bigger.

 

[zinfamous]

Go with the 50"

It will look huge at first, but you will get used to it. hell, in 6 months you'll probably convince yourself that it's too small

 

[jpeyton]

42" for the bathroom, 50"+ for all other rooms.

 

[JackBurton]

THX specifications are 60" at 6.7' for the minimum viewing distance, so you're good. You actually need something bigger than 50". I'm looking to put a 60" plasma in my computer room and I'll be sitting ~6' away. So no, 50" is definitely not too big.

 

[Auric]

Contrarian POV: 42" is fine for HDTV and less "ghetto" for a small room. However, for widescreen movies go with 50". It's the difference between an image that is 15" and 18" high. For comparison, a 15" high image is had with a 26" SDTV showing SD content.

 

[yuppiejr]

Originally posted by: cyclistca
I've been looking at HDTV for my condo and I've narrowed it down to the two models in the Panasonic PX77U line. I can not decide between the 42" and 50" model. It comes down to what is appropriate for my viewing distance. I sit between 6 and 8 feet from the TV (The sofa is at an angle). From looking at sizing charter it seems the 50" would work but I'm concerned that it going to look like a monster sitting in my small living room. Never mind the problems of getting it into my place and setting it up.

Any help appreciated.

Well, remember the PX series is a 720p panel which means scaling and a larger pixel structure. A 50" 720p unit at 6-8' feet is iffy in my opinion, you may be able to discern the pixel structure and will be scaling all of 1080i/p HD content you feed the set.

TH-50PX77U

Display Resolution 720p
Native Resolution: 1366 x 768
Displayable Colors 29 Billion
Shades of Gradation 3,072
Pixel Pitch (H x V) 0.81 x 0.81 mm


TH-50PZ77U

Display Resolution 1080p
Native Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Displayable Colors 68.7 Billion Equivalent Colors for Darker Part
Shades of Gradation 4,096
Pixel Pitch (H x V) 0.576 x 0.576 mm

I was just shopping the Panasonic plasma line with a similar viewing distance (7') and after much A/B comparison of the 42" 1080p & 50" 720p units (priced similarly) decided on the 42" TH-42PZ700U's higher native panel resolution even at the loss of some screen real estate. After doing a quick run through the picture setup menu on both sets to ensure relative consistency in terms of color/brightness I demoed a variety of 1080i/1080p source material that simply looked worlds better on the smaller native 1080p panel. If I had the money, I would have certainly gone for the 50" 1080p Panasonic but given my $1500 or less budget the 42" unit was my only option.

Newegg has much better prices on these sets with free shipping if you care to go that way: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...17814&name=1920+x+1080

.. regardless of what you pick, 720p or 1080p, the Panasonic plasmas are GREAT looking displays - good luck!

 

[kalrith]

From your viewing distance, a 50" 1080p TV is definitely the right size. If you're concerned with how the size will look relative to your room, then that's a different story. I just upgraded from a 27" CRT to a 50" plasma in my 12.5' x 12.5' living room, and it looks just right in there. It definitely looks big but in a good way! I think a 60" would be better in my situation, but I couldn't stomach spending over twice as much for the 60" I wanted. I'll save that money and upgrade in a couple years

 

[BernardP]

50-inch is a no brainer. People who know about this on AVS Forums never forget to mention that a screen starts to shrink as soon as you set it up. The process goes like this:

"How big this is...It dwarfs the living room..."
"Well, I'am getting used to it...it now feels just right."
"There would have been room to put up the 58-inch model if I had wanted to"

And finally, after visiting a friend who just bought a 65-inch model:

"If I moved that door to the left, there would be room for this 65-incher that happens to be on sale"

Make the analogy with computer monitors. I remember when getting that big 17-inch (16-inch viewable) CRT was really indulging... And those 19-inch LCD's...Wow! Talk about huge!...Until you get used to a 24-inch widescreen (sig)...Not that it wouldn't look better with a couple more inches

 

[kalrith]

Originally posted by: BernardP
Not that it wouldn't look better with a couple more inches

If you're not careful, you'll wind up as someone's sig