New HDTV

Hello everyone. Welp, I'm new to this whole ballgame, but I've already taken a major first step. Yesterday, I had delivered to my home a Mitsubishi WS-55809. Up until now, I have never really had anything larger than about a 27" analog set in my living area. No doubt, the picture is out of this world, and all that. But I'm worried that the thing is too freaking huge! It's true that I've had it for less than 24 hours and that I'm nowhere near used to it yet, but I got a headache from watching it yesterday.

I measured, and from the center of the screen to all of the different viewing areas on my couches ranges from 9'-11'. Is this too close for this size tv? And if I did trade down, how do I do that without getting too small? I mean, that's one of the reasons that I bought it in the first place, because it would be more like a movie screen. The others I'm considering are the Sony KP-51HW40, or the Mit. WS-46?. Thank you for any advice here.

[Chris Blount]

Hi and welcome to DBSTalk :hi:

I know what you mean about the size difference. When I first went from a 27" to a 50" 4X3, I had a definite period of adjustment.

Right now my couch is only about 10 feet from my 57" 16X9 Toshiba. Doesn't bother me at all. When I get closer than 10 feet, I start seeing lines while watching DVD's.

Don't worry you will get used to it and don't trade it in for something smaller. You might regret that later.

[Scott Greczkowski]

You will get use to it, imagine it with all the lights out, watching a great movie. It will be like sitting in your own private movie theater (Without the sticky floors!) :D

Welcome to DBStalk Gator, we hope you will decide to register with us!

[Martyva]

You can get a TV that is too large. Measure the vertical size of the screen and multiply by four. On a 16:9 set that would be 26"x4=8'10" This should be your minimum viewing distance. If your screen is 4:3 use the same formula.

[Mark Lamutt]

Echoing what Chris and Scott have said - definitely don't trade down in size! My 51" sony (kp51hw40) seemed way to big for my room when I got it 6 months ago...now it seems normal, and maybe even a touch small :D - stick with the size...you'll thank us later.

As for the headache, what's your viewing environment like? Were you watching in a totally dark room? If so, here's a suggestion that really made my viewing experience more enjoyable. Get an 18" fluorescent light fixture and mount it behind your television pointint towards the wall. Turn it on, and all of the other lights in the room. The light should be bright enough to lighten up the wall behind the television, but not so bright that you notice it. The backlight will reduce eyestrain. It works really well for me - now if i don't have the light on behing the set, it really doesn't look right!

[Chris Blount]

Piggy backing on what Mark said, also be sure to adjust your new TV using a test disc like Video Essentials. Most people turn their contrast and brightness up way too high. With your new HDTV, you can easily "burn" the screen. Never turn these settings above 50%.

Adjusting the settings correctly will also help with your "eye strain" problem.

[Dale]

I had the same trouble when I first got mine, you'll get used to it. :) I love HDTV

[CoriBright]

We went from a 32" 4:3 to a 65" 16:9 .... and yes, it did take a few days to get used to the huge picture. However in a week or so, it wasn't the size of the picture that took us by surprise, it was talking into other folks' houses and seeing a horrible 'square' picture. It looked so wrong! Stretched or not, give me a nice widescreen any day.

In a week you'll just love it. And when you see the HD on your tv, you'll know you made the right choice.