My tv is too big... help!

browneyedsquirrel

So I just recently purchased a Samsung 40 inch LCD HDTV.

We got it home and got it all set up.... slight problem....

It hurts to watch it. Seriously, my eyes felt like they were going to explode trying to take it all in.

People always want huge televisions.... why? Is this something I'll get used to or will I always be uncomfortable trying to see "the whole picture".

Should I return it for a smaller version... say a 30 inch?

BlazeFire

How close are you sitting to the TV? I think the user's manual will have some "optimal viewing distance" information in it you could try.

Virum

Well it is a bit individual really, we can't answer for you really.

Try putting it in a different spot where you can sit farther back maybe? Return it and save money for a smaller screen and keep it in the same spot? It's really up to you.

I'd kill for that large of a screen, but then again I love the IMAX and I like sitting so close to the screen in the theater that it fills my whole retina. So there you go.

mcdermott

I think I'm in the same boat as the OP, as I'm not really a fan of the huge screens. I think I have basically the same problem. I'd rather have a slightly smaller screen (like 32"). But of course I need watts upon watts of surround sound.

EggyToast

It takes a while to get used to it. Believe me. I went from a 13" tv to a 53" tv. But I'm not much of a TV watcher, so we'd only catch movies. So watching movies for 2 hours, maybe once a week or twice a month, helped me adapt.

Friend of mine watches a lot more TV, and went from a 20 to a 42". But because he's used to watching more TV, he's visually overwhelmed by truly having more TV

You're basically focusing too hard and trying to take everything in. On your last tv, you just watched it. On your new TV your eyes are overstimulated. I know that the advice of "just don't watch so much, you'll get used to it" isn't the easiest to follow with a new TV, but it's a pretty big jump.

but 40 isn't all that big. You're supposed to be about 10 ft away, but I watched TV 6 ft away from my 53" for about 3 years, and it was fine. You just get used to not trying to look at everything.

browneyedsquirrel

Well we got it for gaming really. And there-in lies the problem. While the 360 has wireless controllers so we could move the couch back and enjoy, we'd be stuck when it came to PS2 and Gamecube games.

We also had a real problem with ghosting last night when we played the demo for Bioshock. Is there any way to mitigate this with an LCD?

Basically we chose LCD because it has less glare (we have patio blinds in our living room) and we like the matte finish of the screen. We also like that it is supposed to be less prone to image burn problems.

We could try a plasma tv, but they don't make them any smaller than 40 inch.

So I guess what I'm asking is... we have a 360 elite. Do we sacrifice the matte finish and other qualities we like of the LCD to get rid of ghosting and deal with a huge 40 inch plasma screen? Or do we deal with the ghosting and have the option of purchasing a smaller screen for our living room?

embrik

Check your menus for "Game mode". There should be something there that will take care of the ghosting. I believe the Samsung LCDs all have it. Also, can't you get extension cables for the controllers?

Lewisham

EggyToast wrote: »

You're basically focusing too hard and trying to take everything in. On your last tv, you just watched it. On your new TV your eyes are overstimulated. I know that the advice of "just don't watch so much, you'll get used to it" isn't the easiest to follow with a new TV, but it's a pretty big jump.

Yep, that's it. Have you ever been to an IMAX cinema? Same thing... for the first 10 minutes you get a headache because you are trying to intake the entire screen, and your eyes are jumping around constantly. Once you can actually just let it go, and accept that whatever is in front of you is enough, it's much easier.

And I also agree that 40 inches ain't all that big. Taking it back for a smaller one is crazy talk. OP, you're sitting too close. Why not try yanking out the consoles and bringing them further out when you want to use them? That's what I did at my parents house with their HDTV.

End of the day, your HDTV is going to outlive your PS2 and Gamecube.

mcdermott

embrik wrote: »

Check your menus for "Game mode". There should be something there that will take care of the ghosting. I believe the Samsung LCDs all have it. Also, can't you get extension cables for the controllers?

Yes. Though for the GameCube I recommend WaveBirds instead.

MichaelLC

From some casual surfing, it looks like anywhere from 8' to 15' for a 40" screen is recomended.

As was said, it;s probably just shock going from SD to HD. Give it a few days, and see if it gets better.

Black Ice

The wired controller problems can be alleviated easily (I'm assuming if you have that much money for a TV you have enough money for these controllers):





Both of those are wireless controllers. The PS2 pad is the Logitech Cordless Action, and it has superior buttons and analog sticks to the original Dualshock controller. As a matter of fact, after my upgrade to the PS3, I find myself to this day missing the Logitech Cordless Action.. that's how great of a controller it is.

The Wavebird is a first party Nintendo product. It works well, but they can be hard to find, and it lacks the rumble.

As for the TV problem.. I really can't help you with that, sorry! But definitely look into upgrading to wireless controllers, ESPECIALLY on the Logitech Cordless Action.

Aridhol

I always thought the rule about sitting a certain distance away from a TV was stupid ; that is until I got my HDTV.

Distance is huge and if you have a 40" and are sitting closer than 6 feet away I can see how you'd have trouble adjusting.


go here and use the calculator http://hdinstallers.com/calculator.htm

embrik

*slaps own forehead* I don't know why I didn't remember cordless controllers for the older consoles, especially since I own a Wavebird for my Gamecube (which works great).

browneyedsquirrel

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll look into those wireless controllers for the PS2. The Gamecube we don't really play all that often so I'm not as worried.

I'll check out that game setting stuff and see if I can't get it working better. We did turn the settings a wee bit darker and used the movie standard setting and that seemed to help a bit.

Seems like most people here and elsewhere seem to agree that we just need to adjust to the tv size so we're going to give it a few days. Then it will just be a matter of can we deal with ghosting or should we go plasma.

Shazkar Shadowstorm

Yeah, a lot of the time when you get a new HDTV you need to fiddle with the settings a lot to make them more normal. The default settings are often way too crazy, like what they have in store showcases to show off the crazy colors, but aren't reasonable for normal watching. I had to change all my settings for things to not become eye burning.

Klyka

Get a nice Samsung plasma. You will thank me later.
No ghosting, fantastic colors and really great upscaling make the Samsung plasmas TV's worth the money.

I've been playing every console there is on one for the last 1 1/2 year and I can't go back to normal TVs or LCDs.