What size HDTV is best for gaming?

  • Thread starter firmdra
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firmdra

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I recently bought GT 5 & Nascar 2011 and discovered how inadequate my old 20" CRT standard definition TV really is. The small text in both games is almost unreadable. I have to stand about 1 foot away from the screen and even then have trouble reading it. The CRT is overdue for replacement anyway so I've decided to get a HDTV. I've looked at a few in stores and I'm leaning towards a 55" Full HD 1080p. Trouble is, I've read that the larger the display the further away you have to be to view because the closer you get the more discernible the pixels are, which, on a 60" are about 2 inches. All the ones in the stores are up on walls and you can't get closer than about 8 or 10 feet so I couldn't tell.

My steering wheel uses a USB cable which only allows me to sit about 4' 6" away from the TV. If I buy an extension USB cable will that work. Would there be any degradation in the accuracy of the signal or lag or any other problems, apart from someone tripping over the cable:) that is?
 
I always try to measure how much of the screen I can see without having to move my eyes, as long as you can see ~75% of the screen while sitting in front of it, you're okay.

BTW, if you are moving from a ''20 CRT, a ''32 HDTV will look enormous to you, I'd recommend '32 as the ideal size for a medium bedroom too.
 
I have a 55 inch TV downstairs.Too big for Call of duty,Fifa's and GT5.It's perfect for little big planet but I never go on that!
 
A pixel is not going to be 2" big. Think about it. How many 2" pixels are you going to fit on a 60" display!

I like the THX screensize page as a guide.

If your HDTV is going in a living room with limited space, THX recommends the following:

35 inch class TV = 3.5-5 feet away
40 inch class TV = 4-6 feet away
50 inch class TV = 5-7.5 feet away
60 inch class TV = 6-9 feet way
Click to expand...

They quote on the larger size, so if you're slightly on the low side than don't worry about it.

seat-distance-display-setup-400x300.jpg
 
Plug some numbers into the Viewing Distance Calculator.

Example: Screen size to achieve THX recommended viewing angle from 3 feet away: 26.8".
At 4'-6" it suggests 40.3".

When I play Uncharted or GT5, I'm usually around 4' away from a 50" but you might not like being that close. For me, I want to fill my entire view without being so close that my eyes are straining.

Happy hunting, firmdra!
 
About your USB question, Yes you can use a USB extension I picked a cheap one up and have had no problem whatsoever.
 
Wow, amazingly fast replies. Thanks.

The TV will be located in a room that's 24' x 11' so there's plenty of space.

Good to know that an extension USB cable will work okay.

keldabest13 said that a 55" TV is too big for GT5. Why would that be?


Thanks again.
 
Casio's post is bang on.

And saying the text being unreadable on your 20" NTSC TV is pointless as a reference.

That said, my couch is 15 feet from a 51" set, and it wouldn't hurt to be closer, but everything on the screen is legible from there.

And 55" isn't too big for GT5, unless you're only 6 feet away. Then it's too big.

It all comes down to viewing angle, like Casio's post.
 
The size doesnt matter much. Has long as you stay away from the screen 3 times the size ot it.
 
I run a 65 dlp 1080p. For gt i have my pedals right at the base of the stand. Imo it is the pretty much perfect size and almost 1:1 w real life.

For other games i am on the couch about 14 feet away.
 
Caz
I run a 65 dlp 1080p. For gt i have my pedals right at the base of the stand. Imo it is the pretty much perfect size and almost 1:1 w real life.
Click to expand...

And that's crazy big.

To the OP, (Echoing what Dan said) if you're currently running a 21" CRT basically any size LCD will look huge. I remember when I first got my 32" 720P LCD (Like 1.5), that thing looked ridiculous compared to my old CRT. Then I got a 46" LCD, which barely fitted in my car and when I unboxed it I thought, "This thing is just ridiculously huge". And now it's like 'meh', I could go larger. No matter what you get you'll soon grow accustomed to it.

They say you should get the biggest size you can afford, which is true to come extent (cause you'll regret not getting a bigger size later), but at the same time, don't underestimate quality. My 46" is a top of the line model at the time, and is a stunning display. A few of my mates have seen got the cheaper and larger models, which while good for pure impact, just don't have the clarity of a more expensive, smaller display. They come around to my house and say 'Wow. How do you make your screen look so good?'.
 
Good advice as been given. It totally depends on the size of your room and what you can put up with or afford.

Not to throw a spanner into the works deliberately but my main issue with a new TV would be input lag or quality of the display over how big you can buy. A lot can be read on it here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1131464

I'm only mentioning this because moving from a CRT monitor (most have barely any lag at all) you may notice your new TV is sluggish, especially with gaming. Most people don't notice it but it maybe worth a read in that thread and to look up the TV you're interested in for its input lag time just in case (because manufacturers don't say what it is).
 
I ran a vcr tape (which is not the best resolution of course) of the recent Nascar Sprint cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway. From 3 feet away from screen I can easily read the text that scrolls across the top of the screen. Likewise with the recent F1 race at Spa-Francorchamps. But at 3 feet away from screen with GT 5 the small text is blurred & very hard to read. Same with Nascar The Game 2011. I enjoy watching motor-sport and have seen the BIG screens at stores. I really like them and have been 'hooked' by them. Now that I know a USB extension cable will work I have no concerns about going for a large screen from one of the top manufacturers.

Regarding 'input lag', I had not heard of that. Thanks very much G.T. I'll have a close look at the forum page you provided a link to.

This is a great forum and you guys have given me lots of information that I otherwise would probably not have obtained elsewhere, or at least so easily. I really appreciate your help.

Thanks again for all the replies.
 

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