August 17, 2006

Greetings,

I sit close to the screen at the movies. Not first row, crane-your-neck close, but in a small multiplex theater, anything farther than the fifth row is opera glasses distance to me. I like to immerse myself in the image. That propensity for up close and personal viewing carries over into my home. I've never heeded the two to three times screen width viewing distance guideline. The intimacy serves me well when I'm reviewing a TV because I can better observe the display's nuances.

When I am watching standard definition programs on a high definition TV, that pixel proximity can precipitate my pupils to pulsate – and not from pleasure. SD grunge is an eyesore that cannot be eliminated too quickly for me. That's not to say all SD broadcasts are awful. (I'm not ready to repudiate my lifetime of enjoying TV.)

At least for another couple of years, many great programs will only be available in standard definition. Therefore, unless you vow to shun SD, I suggest finding a TV that can not only display the glory of HD but also give SD its fading due. We have just posted a review of the Norcent LT-3250, a 32" LCD HDTV that handles both tasks with aplomb.

Let us know what you think.

Stay tuned,

Dick De Jong