Help! Did I go crazy? (1 Viewer)

So I've had a dinky 30" standard definition TV for the past 10 years. I have wanted not just an HDTV, but a home theater setup for a very long time. I went back and forth between a 60" and a 70" but I decided to splurge and get the 70. I'm not sure if I made a mistake: in the showroom, a 70" looks impressive and cinematic, but doable. But being in a large showroom surrounded by lots of other TVs, when they actually put it in my living room I was taken aback.

I'm having like a bipolar episode over it, and I want your re-assurance that I don't look absolutely ridiculous. My sofa is positioned 9 feet from the TV, although soon I plan on mounting it to the wall which should put it back another foot. I turn it on and it's beautiful...gorgeous! I am in awe. But then I'm like OMG what the hell did I get myself into??

I almost exclusively watch movies, on Blu-ray. I particularly like epics (which are often letterboxed even on a widescreen TV) and classic movies (which are pillarboxed because they came before widescreen), so that lessens the screen size a bit.

Am I just in shock because I'm going from a 30" to a 70" HD? It also looks a little silly on my coffee table. I'm hoping that it will look more natural once mounted to the wall. I live in an apartment, but while the living, kitchen, and dining area are all one open space, the living area is constructed like a "nook" off to the side.

I'm hoping to maybe get some sort of slide-able mural to put over it, and turn the wall it's on into an accent wall? Is that doable?

In short, while I'm pretty much stuck with the TV, I would like your reassurance that I didn't go ridiculously overboard, although your honest opinions are appreciated. If I really ought to send it back, I can, albeit with a re-stocking fee.

"Am I just in shock because I'm going from a 30" to a 70" HD? It also looks a little silly on my coffee table."

-- Once you get used to it - it will appear a little less silly. Enjoy the new TV and the size - and don't worry about looking silly...

"I turn it on and it's beautiful...gorgeous! I am in awe. But then I'm like OMG what the hell did I get myself into??"

Sounds like the viewing distance is not too close for you - as you didn't say "I turn it on and am seeing something strange in the picture - because you are too close"

Make sure you don't fall into the trap of wall mounting your TV too high on the wall. You will end up with neck strain issues and regretting putting it up too high. Usually try to keep the center of the TV at eye level when you are sitting in your normal watching position.

Also - being a home theater site you are looking at - are you doing anything with the sound for this new TV? Usually the newer flat TV models have horrible sound coming from the internal speakers. You should look into doing some kind of sound upgrade as well. Once you have a big TV with "big and improved" sound - then watching movies is more like going to a theater and less like watching TV and listing to ear buds...

Yes, I got a soundbar with subwoofer.

An honest opinion...I sit about 11 feet from a 58" plasma and that seems just about right. Now, bigger is almost always better. But I bet the price difference between the 60" and 70" was pretty substantial. That money could have been used on a surround sound system (or a better one then you were planning on geting) particularly a "real" subwoofer since movies are your thing. But I'm not suggesting you return the 70"er. Anything smaller at this point might be a disappointment.Also, try and calibrate the picture as best as you can with a calibration disc if you haven't already done so. Out of the box the display might have been set to "torch" mode so it looks better (???) in the dark tv section in the store. Professional calibration is $300+++ but apparently it's worth it. Never heard anyone say it was a waste of money. But I've never had it done so I can't say one way or the other.Edit: Obviously I didn't see the post about the soundbar and being in an apartment kinda makes a "real" subwoofer un-practical. Enjoy your 70" display!

I say... ENJOY IT!!

But calibrate first.

Being in an apartment I have to consider my neighbors when choosing my speakers. I actually do not care for surround sound in a home environment anyway...I find it somewhat cheesy. In hindsight, I probably would have saved the money and gotten the 60". It was $900 for the 60" and $1500 for the 70". I figured...I don't have cable or even a cell phone data plan and I haven't bought a TV in 10 years...I deserve to splurge a little.

Sorry for the double-post, I don't see an edit button. Yes, I've heard about calibration. I will get the disc (I'm certainly not spending $300 on a professional coming in!!). In the meantime, I have lowered the backlight significantly from the default.

Also - since you are running with an external sound bar - make sure you go into your TV menu and turn off the TV speakers.

You only want the sound coming from the sound bar - and even turned down to 0 -- there still is a possibility of someone hitting the volume button on the TV remote. Turning them off will fix that problem before you even have it.

When I first got married - got a frantic call from the wife - saying she did something and the TV now sounds like it is in an echo chamber.

Got home and indeed the sound was mixed up - turns out she sat on the TV remote and turned up the TV speakers. After I went into the TV menu and turned off the TV sound - never had the problem again.

- One other thing to think about.

Find an online review on your TV - and see what settings the reviewer used. There are many "extra" features on today's TV's that end up making the picture messed up. Usually the reviewer will go through the setup they used to review the TV, and tell you what features they turned off. Also you get an idea of what they have the other settings set to after they calibrated the TV. That will get you closer until you can get a calibration disk and go through it yourself. They usually will also say what settings they used to get the best picture - do you want CINEMA 1, CUSTOM or THX for the setup. This depends on the TV you bought witch mode they use.

The dreaded "soap opera" effect is usually the default setting for most new TVs - as well as being in torch mode.

Yes, the default was the awful "soap opera" "smooth motion" frame rate booster. I turned that off right quick.

You didn't give the model number - but here is an example of a setup page - with recommended settings.

http://www.soundandvision.com/content/vizio-m601d-a3r-3d-lcd-hdtv-settings

If you add what brand/model you actually got - will be able to find something similar for you...

I got the Vizio E-Series TV.

Thanks for your help! I am getting used to it now and not feeling so crazy.