Is an 85" TV Too Big?

lockmc on 21/03/2021 - 07:37
Last edited 21/03/2021 - 10:07

We are looking at upgrading our 65" TV to something bigger. 75" would probably do the job, but I am eyeing off something bigger such as 82" or 85".

Does anyone have any pictures of an 85" in their living room? I really want to see how out of place / consuming of the room it looks.

We sit 3.6m away from the TV and it would go on a wall that is 5.55 wide (but 1.5 of that is a window on the side).

Our current 65" looks too small for the room.

https://imgur.com/deNuL1e

Also note we haven't furnished after our renovation so there will likely be a picture on the right to balance it out at some point.

Electrical & Electronics 85inch TV UHD TV

Comments

  • John Dough on 23/03/2021 - 08:40
    +1

    Here's a different perspective some may agree or disagree as its all personal preference at the end of the day.
    I have a 75" and it's great, similar space to what you have.
    I too want to go for an 82 or 85 next, but…..

    Netflix, or movie files at full HD1080P or 4K at a reasonable bitrate look good on the 75.
    Anything 720P - forget it, IMO unwatchable.
    Free to air TV if it's the HD channels at around 1080i look OK, non HD channels are IMO pretty ordinary but still just watchable. Head to local HN or GG and ask them to put on the normal TV (not their looped 4K demo file) and sit back and see if you think it's good enough for you.

    82 or 85 will exaggerate the pixeltion from low quality sources at they are monster screens. If you watch a fair bit of FTA TV, then I'd consider the 75.
    If most of your viewing is from a HD source, then the 82 or 85 will be great and I personally don't think you will regret it.

    I am locked in a battle with Mrs Dough, she watches FTA TV a lot, I don't. Seems like we will keep the 75 for a while yet until FTA TV comes in better quality, or we can stream subscription TV for the shows she watches in HD or 4K

    Good luck!

    • lonewolf on 23/03/2021 - 11:31
      +1

      Sadly FTA will probably never improve, it actually went backwards from when they first came out with HD channels (all sorts of money saving attempts with frequencies etc).

      Even Netflix and some streaming channels are reducing their quality (insisting they are using better codecs) to decrease their costs. Foxtel has been going backwards as well with its bitrate especially for some sports / channels.

      Saying that there are some streaming sites that seem to prioritise quality. Its also silly how netflix, stan and foxtel have different prices for 4k or HD or SD. I get paying more to have more devices connected, but you shouldnt have to pay more for higher res as we should all be moving forward to the higher res by default. Its meant to be progress as well as really high res / improvements in these formats is what keeps people upgrading their products as well as rewatching shows / movies.

  • sydneyone on 23/03/2021 - 08:56
    +6

    Best bit of advice I saw - No one has ever come home and said "I wish I bought a smaller TV"

    • sydneyone on 23/03/2021 - 08:58
      +1

      I purchased a 70inch one a long time ago. Yes for the first week it was a bit odd, but now Im thinking of replacing with an 80 maybe 85

  • nephilim on 23/03/2021 - 09:46

    Main thing for me would be cost, as others have said short throw projectors are 2-4K and do huge areas

  • Heaps for Cheaps on 23/03/2021 - 10:05
    +1

    I always subscribed to the theory of 'you should be twice the distance as your TV measures diagonally' but then a few months back I was in Harvey Norman and they had a 100 inch LED with the sofa about 2.5m back, and from a distance it looked odd, but sitting down it was fantastic… It wasn't too big at all, and I didn't get the 'eye-strain' from having to look everywhere on the screen as I expected to.

    So, to OP, do it once and do it properly with the 85" or above screen, maybe even check if your big-box store has such a setup, where you can chill on the couch and experience it

    Side-note: You have a nice home, not at all what I imagine a OzBargainers house to be, you know, the expectation would be massive piles of cheap stuff not even opened and just horded everywhere in the house.

  • OzHunterNSW on 23/03/2021 - 11:09

    It's up to you. That's why they make them. I have a 65" and love it. Any bigger for my premises though would be far too big.

    Measure the wall in 85" then sit back and have look.

    Think about the extra electricity!

  • lonewolf on 23/03/2021 - 11:27

    Dont follow formulas etc, its up to the individual and frankly there is no such thing as too big, as over time you adjust to the size and it then seems normal and you eventually want to get bigger. Dont forget how small CRT TVs were and we still thought the newer models were too big for our living rooms back then. I have a 85" tv and a 100" projector (about 3m from screen i think), and frankly i wish i could have afforded a 100" TV, then less reason for my projector. Although projector pictures are still different/ warmer which for some things looks better . But again personal preference. I have a 55" TV in the bedroom and thinking of putting a 65" in there if i could fit in without blocking wardrobe.

  • burningrage on 23/03/2021 - 17:28

    85inch is not big enuf imho.

    If the price accommodates i would have gone for at least 100inch

  • squaredonut on 23/03/2021 - 18:25
    +1

    What a time to be alive. Lol jealous that this is a first world problem but also damn how far we’ve come I grew up watching a 32” tv or smaller and I was blown away by that already haha

    • daft009 on 24/03/2021 - 08:23

      Luxury 32"!

      I grew up watching black and white 34cm!

  • E C on 23/03/2021 - 19:44
    +2

    I thought my 85" 4k was too big .. like ludicrous mode .. but now a month or so in, I am used to it and glad I bought it.
    My logic was, when i had the 64" i wanted the 70" but my SO talked me in to settling .. i regretted it for the many years the 64" worked ..
    so I bought the largest baddest beast I could afford when the 64" didnt' turn on …. and for a while I wasn't sure it was the right thing to do, but now I am convinced it was. can cast from any phone, comes with all the streaming apps, no BS, just pure viewing pleasure.

    I like sci-fi and fantasy - rewatching LOTR, star trek, the expanse, etc .. lots of quality time with new beast. Highly recommended movie/documentary - My Octopus Teacher, beautiful shots .. its like you are there, underwater, and just need to reach out to touch the marine life.

  • ATangk on 23/03/2021 - 20:44

    If you put some cupboard or something on the right, the space becomes smaller and you can get away with the same TV.

    • lockmc on 24/03/2021 - 20:28

      But I don't think I want a smaller TV. Sounds like bigger is better.

      • ATangk on 24/03/2021 - 20:33

        Bigger is $$$

        • lockmc on 24/03/2021 - 20:35

          I need new TV for the other loungroom, so I need to buy one anyway. So I would move my current one into the second lounge and replace this with something bigger.
          So need to spend $$$ regardless

  • Franc-T on 23/03/2021 - 20:46

    As long as it fits, an 85 would look alright there.

  • Philthy on 23/03/2021 - 22:54

    85" is too small
    /endthread

  • ankor on 23/03/2021 - 22:59

    I'd get an 85, but only if it had 4k 60fps as a minimum.

    No point going down to a lower frame rate once you are used to it elsewhere, like on your computer, phone or tablet.

  • fozzie on 23/03/2021 - 23:21

    Bigger is better. I have two lounges, 55” downstairs and 65” upstairs. Often I wish I had also a 65 at least downstairs. Hopefully the 55” will pack at some stage (cheap viano from big w which I bought 4 years ago through an offer on here) and I can upgrade. Depending on space I might move 65 and get larger upstairs

  • rtsanarchist on 23/03/2021 - 23:51

    Get the 85" or larger, my couch is less than 2m from my 65" curved samsung and I use it as a computer monitor. Only problem I've ever had is playing Cities Skylines from less than 1.5m away (sitting on beanbag) I've had to look around the screen, otherwise never had to adjust my head for any reason.

  • punk000 on 24/03/2021 - 01:16

    Can't never have too big a TV, just get one as close to width of the wall as possible (y)

  • Richardc on 24/03/2021 - 02:37

    Why not go to showroom and try?

    • lockmc on 24/03/2021 - 20:27
      +1

      Size of a TV in a showroom looks very different to when it's in your lounge room.

      • Richardc on 24/03/2021 - 22:25

        The main point is that you can comfortable to have the whole tv displayed in your view at the set distance.

    • cybapete on 24/03/2021 - 22:10

      take a measuring tape and you can measure out the distance in front of every tv in the store to decide which one is better

  • installthismelb on 24/03/2021 - 07:13

    Samsung have a new 85" coming out in a few weeks and a fraction more expensive than the 82"

    • lockmc on 24/03/2021 - 20:27
      +1

      I think I've seen these for preorder and they aren't cheap?

  • morebunnings on 24/03/2021 - 10:34

    A few months ago I went from a 65 to 75" TV. I felt that 75" TVs were much better value than 82/85" TVs at the moment. (much like 65" were good value a few years ago when I bought my 65" TV). There was not a lot of options in the 85" range either.

    75" seemed HUGE compared to my 65" when I got it, even thought it was too big. Now it just seems normal, and in a few years when 85" TVs come down in price I will get one.

    If budget is not an issue, get the 85". If you are a bit price sensitive, get a 75", and then 85" in a few years.

  • eciuj on 24/03/2021 - 10:53

    I went from a 65" to 75" and sit 2.6m away. Wife thinks it's too big but I think it's spot on. One month on and I still think it's spot on. Don't think I could do an 85" at this viewing distance. At 3.6m viewing distance I'd go at least 85".

  • kingsville on 24/03/2021 - 10:59
    +2

    whatever you do - please centre the tv and tv unit!
    (You have a very nice lounge room, but I wonder how you handle the misalignment)

    • lockmc on 24/03/2021 - 20:26

      Firstly, the furniture isn't what we will settle on. We did a renovation and haven't yet furnished for the "new look" of the place.

      We can't Center to the wall as there is a walkway to the right. If we centred the TV to the wall, that would mean the couch would have to move over and that won't be centred.
      We will put a picture or plant eventually to balance the wall.

  • Heracles on 24/03/2021 - 11:05

    Here you go, 65" v 85".

    http://www.displaywars.com/65-inch-16x9-vs-85-inch-16x9

  • cyrax83 on 24/03/2021 - 12:35
    +2

    Go the biggest you can afford. Go 85. Heck. Go 100 if you can afford it.

  • luffyex2010 on 24/03/2021 - 15:16

    85" is fine for your room size, your eyes will get use to it….we started from our first tv 55" and never stop growing lol.

    We have them in the kids play area ( upgraded from 75" to 85" for a tv replacement /offer) and our theatre room.

    The fact is it will never be too big when you watch movies thanks to the black bars but unfortunately that is the biggest we will go as it is just too diffficult to install especially when you are installing on the upper floor.

    Projector or wall panel tv should be our next upgrade which I am surprise it didnt progress further ( wall panel oled)

    All our television have been Sony but one thing for sure…. the new ones doesnt seem to last as long as the old ones.

    Watch Vincent teoh on youtube to get the best review on latest television.

  • Viper8 on 24/03/2021 - 15:45

    "We sit 3.6m away from the TV…"
    According to SMPTE (general use) your optimal TV size is 89", whilst according to THX (theatre use) it is 119".

  • mctubster on 24/03/2021 - 16:26
    +2

    Feels like a lot of this is wishful thinking ;) and as many have commented you get used to it (a larger screen) and then it is normal again.

    "When you extend your arm and look at your thumbnail, that is approximately the area that is focussed ("sharp") in your field of vision (about 2°). Your vision is sharp only in your fovea. Your attention can "focus" on other areas in your field of vision, although they are and remain blurred."

    Sure a bigger screen might give the sensation of more immersion, but maybe so can a smaller ambilight type tv. If you are watching a good show or movie, you will be drawn into it - that you won't notice the screen or the size of it (unless it is a 14" CRT :D)

    Also you see many houses now where the TV (sadly) dominates the main living room.

    Will be good when they are part of the wall and when off you can't see them

    • Viper8 on 25/03/2021 - 09:37

      2 degrees at 3.6m is about 6"…
      So you're suggesting watching a mobile phone screen at 3.6m.

  • Taro Milk Tea on 24/03/2021 - 17:53

    OOT

    Nice sofa - where did you get it from?

    • lockmc on 24/03/2021 - 20:25

      It's from focus on furniture. It'd about 7 years old and full of dog scratches. We haven't furnished yet after our renovation.

  • DarkOz on 24/03/2021 - 20:09

    If you think it’s too big then you have lowsense. If you have hisense you’d want it bigger!

  • mandelbrot on 24/03/2021 - 20:58

    Reading this thread makes me wanna get a new 85 inch tv!

    • lockmc on 24/03/2021 - 21:01

      Do it. I will if you do.

      • mandelbrot on 24/03/2021 - 21:10

        Let's dooooooooooo it

  • apiecost on 24/03/2021 - 21:30

    When I did my theatre about 10 years ago I wanted to install a 130-inch projector screen. I ended up getting some painter's tape and marking the area of the wall that the screen would sit to be sure. I'm one of those weirdos that would sit in the front row of a movie theatre and not complain too much though :)

  • cybapete on 24/03/2021 - 22:07

    i still remember the first time i saw a 100 inch tv at jb hi-fi
    it was twenty grand!!!!!

  • samfisher5986 on 25/03/2021 - 10:49

    This is such a strange topic, do we complain about how big the screen is when we go to the cinema?

  • aimbotjesus on 25/03/2021 - 11:16

    Isn't there meant to be TV sales around this time of year? I've been waiting for some to show up

    Looking for something big, no burn in (for gaming) and decent reflection mitigation if anyone can recommend. Very confused by all the lingo.

  • auna on 25/03/2021 - 12:08

    65 inch is the maximum for 4K content unless quite far away. I suggest a projector for anything bigger. Even at 75 inch you really start to see pixels and the lustre of 4K falls away. On a projection, it feels like a cinematic experience and you don’t notice the lack of pixels as much.

    EDIT: After seeing the OP’s photo get the 85 inch. That is so far away…

  • 42 on 25/03/2021 - 13:49

    No. It's like asking if iMax is too big.

  • Hugh G Rection on 25/03/2021 - 22:44

    85 isn't big enough imo.
    the bigger the better

    that's what she said
    -Michael Scott

  • jtc13 on 25/03/2021 - 22:58
    +1

    It's not too big. Currently have a full HD projector set at approx 120 inches and we sit about 4 meters from it. Love it and would project at 150 inches but the wall space is not big enough.

    There are now 4k versions of the short throw laser projectors which I will look at for next upgrade.

  • nimnomnimy on 01/04/2021 - 10:39

    i have a projector in the bedroom (as we mainly watch after kids sleep) and i’m probably less than 3m from the wall and that’s 100”

    if i could go bigger i would.
    long story short, get the biggest tv that will fit on your wall or that your partner will allow. there’s no such thing as too big

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join