Sony recently posted a YouTube video on its website “here†entitled “How to Choose the Right HDTV. Hosted by Sony spokesperson Veronica Belmont, the video strews an amalgam of facts, partial facts and fiction that has the potential to mislead folks into buying the “wrong†HDTV. The video should be called called “How to Choose a Sony HDTV“.We have the video posted after the break.
Here’s the breakdown:
Proper Viewing Distance (partially correct)– Veronica states you should measure the couch-to-TV distance and divide by two. So if you are 100″ from your TV you should buy a 50″ set. What Sony and Veronica don’t take into account is screen resolution. We have our viewing distance chart “here†that provides the optimum viewing distance for any screen size from 17″-120″ for both 720p and 1080p displays. Our chart is based on the furthest distance where someone with normal vision can perceive all of the picture detail. For 1080p sets it’s 1.57 times the screen size, for a 720p display its 2.35 times. The average living room viewer-to-screen distance is 9 feet, called the “Lechner Distanceâ€Â. Using Sony’s formula, which we consider inaccurate, it recommends a 54″ TV regardless of screen resolution. In reality, the optimum 1080p screen size is about 68″ for the 9 ft. distance while for a 720p set, a 46″ screen is better.
If you go by Veronica’s recommendation of a 32″ TV for the bedroom, Sony’s own 2X screen size formula would imply you were 64″ or just over 5ft from the TV. We suspect this is far closer than where most people would put a bedroom television. Most people position their TV at or beyond the foot of the bed, not to the side. This would be 8 feet or more, or at least a 42″ TV by Sony’s calculation. 50+ inches by ours. Of course you can choose a smaller than optimum HDTV, but only after you have the facts to make a properly informed decision.
Flat Panel Set Types (incomplete):Veronica says “there are two types of HDTVs: LED LCD and plasma.†This overly simplifies the picture. There are four types of HDTVs. They are LED LCD (the LED s are used as the light source and are are placed at the edge of the screen or behind the screen depending on the design), LCD (with cold cathode fluorescent lamp as the light source, called “CCFL backlight”) rear projection and plasma. Sony makes both LED LCD and CCFL backlit LCD. There are three major plasma manufacturersâ€â€Panasonic, Samsung and LGâ€â€that also make LED backlit LCDs and CCFL backlit LCDs. Mitsubishi makes a line of rear projection HDTVs and LED lit LCDs a.
Viewing Condition Choices (some fact, some fiction): Veronica states “Plasmas are known for producing deeper black levels.†That is true. However, she adds, “if you can guarantee perfect viewing conditions, for instance a dark room, then plasma’s right for you†and then “most people can’t get darkness in the living room during the dayâ€Ââ€â€the implication being if you can’t get “pitch black†darkness during the day you should buy an LCD set. We find this bit of advice highly manipulative and factually specious. All HDTVs, regardless of technology, will suffer washed out blacks if exposed to bright light. While ultimate brightness is higher for LED and LCD HDTVs, plasmas don’t need a “dark room†to produce outstanding images. For the best pictures possible, any TV technology benefits from room “lighting control.†Most people, unless they are exhibitionists, have window shades and/or blinds.
Glare Resistance (specious oversimplification): “LCDs are better at resisting glare,†Veronica announces. In fact, glare resistance depends more upon the type of screen coating employed (either “anti-glare†or “anti-reflectiveâ€Â) than on the display technology. Most current HDTVs, whether plasma, LED (LCD) or CCFL LCD, employ the “anti-reflective†type coating, which appears smooth and mirror like.
“Anti-glare†finishes have a dull appearance, like a matte surface photograph. “Anti-glare†screens do limit the amount of reflected glare from ambient light sources, but at the expense of image contrast, which makes picture content appear less “punchy.â€Â
For this reason, many HDTVs including LED and LCD (CCFL) employ the shiny “anti-reflective†filters. While this generally makes the LCD images better and more “punchy,†most of the ambient light rejection advantage over plasmas is lostâ€â€and that wasn’t stated in the video. Perhaps that would have been an appropriate omission in a television commercial but not in a video that purports to be an authoritative guide.
“Anti-glare†coated LCD models can be found most often in the 32″ and below screen sizes, which are only available in LED and CCFL LCD since 42†diagonal is the smallest available plasma screen size.
Set Depth, Energy Efficiency and “Green†Friendly (True but “glaringly†incomplete): Veronica continues, “Most LCDs are generally slimmer and more energy efficient than their plasma counterparts.†This is true. However, big screen LCD and LEDs (over 50″) generally cost far more than their plasma counterparts, requiring a decade or longer to possibly realize any long term dollar savings in energy costsâ€â€a fact that Sony, as an LED/LCD maker, omits.
Veronica states “Some of the newer HDTVs run the backlights across the edge, making them remarkably thin and energy efficient.†That is an accurate statement, although it’s only true for the higher priced LED lit LCDs. The CCFL LCD models are not side lit, nor are they as thin. Plasma sets today run as shallow as 1.4″ up to about 3.5″ for low end modelsâ€â€hardly what we would call “thick.â€Â
About LED and LCD sets Veronica says “They have incredibly sharp contrast.†That is true but she doesn’t add that this is true only at or near the straight-on viewing axis. Contrast on all LED and LCDs diminishes as one moves off-center. As you move to the side, the black level rises and peak brightness diminishes, significantly dropping the contrast ratio. This phenomenon is limited to LCDs (both CCFL and LED). Sony chooses to omit this major plasma advantage. Again, that would be appropriate in a commercial, but not in a guide that purports to be authoritative.
Veronica’s statement “And (LEDs) display beautiful, rich color,†is correct in that they can, but LED lighting does not guarantee any richer or better color than any other lighting technology (plasma or CCFL). It depends on many other design factors.
Calling them LCD TVs and aided by a graphic, Veronica says “And they contain no mercury, so they are less harmful to the environment.†Yes, mercury is indeed toxic, but the statement is incomplete as this only applies to LED LCD.
The most widely sold LCD HDTVs (and currently 40% of Sony’s TV line) have CCFL lamps. All CCFL lamps contain mercury and multiple lamps are required within each TV. So yes, it is possible for an LED based LCD to be mercury free, but it is impossible for any CCFL based LCD to be mercury free. Plasma TVs contain no mercury. Rear and front projectors usually use a single UHP lamp that does contain mercury.
Her statement “If you really like watching movies, you want to be sure your TV is full HD 1080p†is marketing bunk. As stated above, whether you can see all the resolution available with a 1080p set requires the proper viewing distance for a given screen sizeâ€â€a huge variable that is not mentioned.
“If you are a sports or gaming enthusiast you want to make sure you have high frame rate technology, 120Hz or higher for smooth motion†is a somewhat misleading statement. While 120Hz (or more) within LED and LCD TVs reduces motion blur, it is still present. Our tests reveal motion resolution drops image resolution from 1080 lines (per picture height) to 300 with a 60 Hz LED or LCD while a 120Hz TV produces around 600 out of 1080 lines.
Furthermore, 120 Hz processing introduces other artifacts in the picture, making film look more like video, a condition many viewers do not like. These circuits, called Motion Estimation/Motion Compensation (ME/MC) cause response delays that gamers may  not desire. Most TVs have a “Game Mode†that bypasses the circuit; however it also defeats the motion blur reduction characteristics of 120Hz and higher refresh. For gamers that prefer action games, like first person shooters, the tradeoff between blurry motion and image lag due to processing would be like choosing between being punched in the face or kicked in the groin. Plasmas work on a different technology and do not have motion blur, though the processing that causes image lag could still be a factor depending on the TV (many models have a game mode too, which reduces image lag but doesn’t create motion blur). The video concludes “there are many great HDTVs to choose from and you should do online research.†We concur. We recommend to our readers reviews from unbiased, accurate review websites (naturally including this one), and others like CNET and Consumer Reports.
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I wish it would be explained in simple language, such as 32″ with 720p or 1080p sit back so many feet, 36/37 same, and 40/42 same..just suggestions, no set rule.. Also was the anti reflection/anti glare issuse TVs suggested? AND the ambience sensor, and how to choose a set that DOES NOT have it, or able to turn it off…ALL the con comments I have seen on all the TVs I have researched, most say the picture is GREAT…but EVERYONE seems to HATE the ambiance sensor and movement sensor..yet no one has discovered how to disconnect that in any of the sets…and do you know of ANY TV made in the last year that does not have it?
HD Guru:
Thanks for commenting on my prior post.
Based on my own research and your comments, can I suggest that your “seating distance chart” be revised so it is clear that you are simply comparing the resolution of 1080p to 720p based on visual acuity. Your goal, as I understand it, was simply to inform people when and if a 1080p display might afford them some benefit over a 720p display.
I feel it is misleading that this chart refers to an “optimum viewing distance” when it is simply comparing the maximum distance that the full resolution of a given display (720p or 1080p) can be seen.
As previously discussed if someone is looking for a cinematic impact than the angle of view is a far better criteria.
Readers should first read my earlier post on Oct. 14, 2010 and the HD Guru’s comments posted directly thereafter.
What the problem here?
Why should Sony’s arrogance get to us? Haven’t seen it since the computer root kit fiasco…
First most LCD exhibit darker blacks in bright daytime environments, shades or not. But after dusk the best plasmas will win out.
Second the correct viewing distance varies on a per-person basis. Its easy for each person to determine themselves: Use Windows File Explorer with single pixel text and adjust your distance from the screen to comfortably read the text.
This is the optimal scientific distance for common worst case conditions. If you can’t see the screen clearly at any distance then call your eye doctor.
The rationalizations for sitting further back than optimal are tied to the constrained flat panel sizes. The biggest is 65″and they start at $4500!
This is all true as the formulas presented break for front projecting systems.
Then 2:35 movies only have 800 lines of resolution and less overall light output. This brings up the point that human eyes typically see better with more light, as any optometrist eye chart will confirm.
As for Sony we should give them credit for producing some excellent LCD displays. Samsung must have humiliated them one time too often, or somebody must have knocked some sense into Sony CEO Stringer. Probably both.
This phenomenon is limited to LCDs (both CCFL and LED). Sony chooses to omit this major plasma advantage. Again
So, to summarise.
What we seem to have learned is that the contrast ratio (which some manufacturers make such a big deal of) is largely irrelevant for normal people in a domestic situation. It also appears that the 100Hz/120Hz (depending on which country you’re in) setting can be a bad thing. This corresponds with my personal experience: I know a lot of people who have explicitly disabled it on their TVs.
So far as screen size goes, for TV the image has so much compression that all the stuff about visual acuity (which BTW, changes between dark and light scenes) can be set aside. Most people will choose a TV based on where they have room to locate it – where all the family members can see the picture and where the room’s furniture already is. It doesn’t make a whole lot of difference whether it’s a 32-inch or a 47-inch set: the programmes are still the same.
So long as you go for 1080p, the other features of the TV (connectivity, interfaces etc.) are probably a bigger importance than absolute screen size or display technology.
HD Guru,excellent post! it´s very well commented and with reasoned.
The HD Guru incorrectly assumes that an “optimum” seating distance is based on visual acuity. This is the entire premise on which he has created his charts. If you sit any farther away than the Guru’s recommendations and then you won’t be able to detect each and every pixel. There are several flaws to that argument. First and foremost is that no one receives programming that is pixel perfect. There is a great deal of averaging (compression) in the signals we receive and as you get closer to the screen these imperfections become painfully obvious.
A better guideline is probably field of view and here we can look to the guidelines as published by THX and SMPTE for commercial theaters. The maximum recommended viewing angles are 30 degrees (SMPTE) or 26 degrees (THX) which equals a seating distance of either 1.6x or 1.9x. And lets remember those are the maximums and they are based on the angle of view and NOT visual acuity.
But lets also remember these recommendations are for movies and designed to ensure a viewer the full cinematic impact of a movie. They are also the MAXIMUM distance one should be seated from the screen.
If your goal is to achieve a cinematic impact you certainly want to be sitting no farther away than 1.9x and perhaps a good deal closer. In fact, THX recommends a viewing angle of 36 degrees which equals a 1.35x seating distance. But it is important to note again that these recommendations are based on angle of view and have nothing to do with visual acuity.
The next issue that should come to mind is that few of us use our HDTVs solely to watch movies. We watch a variety of programming from the evening news to sitcoms in addition to movies. Do we really want a full cinematic impact on these programs. Trust me, it is a bit unsettling to watch the evening news at 1.6x.
I have long recommended a seating distance between 1.5 and 2.5 the diagonal measurement of the screen. Long before Sony ever aired its views, I thought that 2x was a good compromise between cinematic impact and a practical viewing distance.
As a general guideline I’d recommend a seating distance that is between 1.5 and 2.5 the diagonal measurement of the screen. Near 1.5x you will have a real cinematic experience and at the other end of the spectrum (2.5X) you are into casual viewing. Two times (2.0x) the diagonal measurement of the screen strikes me as an excellent compromise.
The HD guru has fallen into a trap where he views visual acuity as some kind of a defining criteria. I disagree. For cinematic impact – the field of view is far more important.
For everyday viewing, given a lot of experimentation, I believe that 2X is a very wise choice. While I find myself uncomfortable agreeing with Sony it was my own experimentation along with a great deal of reading that lead me to that conclusion.
By your own figures, the SMPTE numbers almost match the 1080p viewing distance (1.57x vs. 1.6x). The point we were trying to communicate, Sony and readers should take into account screen resolution, If you are going to view at a distance greater than the chart’s 720p viewing distance, you can not appreciate the higher resolution capabilities of 1080p signals and displays. To put it another way, according to our chart’s numbers and our viewing experiences, we see no advantage of paying the extra cost to purchase a 32″ 1080p HDTV over a 720p if you are going to be viewing too far (i.e.10 ft away from the screen) regardless if the content is mostly movies, sports or whatever.
Thanks for writing.
HD GURU
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