Settle This, VI: The Television Debate
September 18th, 2009 | by TJ |So, let me explain our house to you, Internet, in terms of televisions. We have a small TV, a big TV and a very big TV.
Downstairs in the living room, we have the very big TV. Sometimes, Phil and I watch this TV while we’re eating dinner, but since we generally gravitate towards our computers, which are upstairs, we don’t watch this TV too often. Which, when you get down to the very bottom of things in this entry, COMPLETELY INVALIDATES PHIL’S POINT, but we’ll just set that aside for now (but I am pretty much preemptively declaring myself the winner here).
In the office, we have both of our desktop computers on desks, with desk chairs, and occasionally the laptop I work on is in here as well, pulled up to my desk chair on a TableMate, because As Seen on TV products are some of the most useful around.
In this room, we also have the big TV. This is where Guitar Hero-ing takes place, as well as any other video game playing, be it PC or console. If I work in the office during the day, which I used to do all the time and now do somewhat rarely, I watch the big TV. Phil usually keeps the big TV on in the evenings if I am not working in here. If I AM working in here, sometimes he turns it on until I tell him I can’t work with it on (even though I manage to work with the TV on all day when he’s not around, don’t tell him that part).
In the bedroom, where I work more often these days, we have the small TV. You know, bedroom size. If I am working in the bedroom (for no other reason than I like to spend entire days just NOT getting out of bed), I usually turn it on around 11am for my three hour Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Full House, What I Like About You sitcom-athon, and we also watch it before we go to sleep.
So, last night, Phil and I ate dinner down at the very big TV in the living room, and we started to watch Bones. Since he was uninterested in watching Bones (there’s no accounting for taste), he went back upstairs shortly after he finished, and I came back up halfway through on a commercial break. He went into the office to play WoW and watch the big TV, while I went into the bedroom to watch Bones on the small TV.
After Bones, it was time for The Office. He was watching the big TV and I was about 10 feet down the hall watching the small TV. Since the doors to the rooms were both open, we could each hear that we were watching the same show, since the big TV is HD and is a split second behind the other TV.
This is the kind of couple we are, Internet. Watching the same television show in two separate rooms, 10 feet away from each other. I actually credit the success of our relationship largely to that fact.
Halfway through the show he comes in and lays on the bed with me and says “You know, you can watch it in there with me.”
“Why?,” I says, knowing what is coming because this argument is always the same.
“Because the TV in the office is bigger.”
“So? What is with you and the bigger TV? It’s not about which TV is bigger, it’s about which TV is more comfortable to watch!”
“No, everyone prefers a bigger TV. People will sit on the floor to watch a bigger television.”
“No way. Given the option, everyone prefers to lay in bed rather than sitting in a desk chair or on the stupid floor.”
And once again we can not see eye to eye on this point.
So tell me, Internet. Which would you prefer to watch: a smaller TV where you get to lay comfortably on a couch or in bed, or a larger TV where you have to sit upright in a non-reclining chair?
By Tracey on Sep 18, 2009
I gotta admit, I’d take the best of both comforts by sprawling out on the sofa in front of the really big TV. Bonus that it’s handy to the kitchen for snacks!
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By Three on Sep 18, 2009
Can you stretch out in front of the larger TV?
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By TJ on Sep 18, 2009
The very big TV doesn’t factor into this argument at all, since we’re not talking about specifically our situation. In YOUR life, in a completely different house, you have an option of a small TV with comfortable seating and a larger TV with uncomfortable seating.
So you can’t consider our very big TV in this argument.
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By Zippi on Sep 18, 2009
My wife sides with you, but that’s not much of an endorsement because I’m convinced she’s wrong. Or a lunatic. Or both.
Of course I side with Phil. HD makes part of my decision for me, but not too much. However, smaller tv with HD or a bigger tv without…? Wow, too close to call.
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By john the diver on Sep 18, 2009
In our house we have the big TV in the office. There is a futon in front of it, it is HD. In the living room we have the sorta smaller TV, non HD. In the bedroom, we have the same size TV as the living room, but we also have a Tempurpedic Adjustable bed (Like in a hospital). that is where i watch TV. In my super comfy bed, with feet and head up. It is my “lazyBoy” because Mrs. Skraps wont let me have a real recliner.
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By Kelly on Sep 18, 2009
We only have one TV (well, there is a second one in my daughter’s room, but no one in their right mind would go in there), but I know I’d go for comfort of body position while watching over the screen size… assuming the screen size is at least reasonable for my older eyes.
On the other hand… if I was watching Bones, I MIGHT pick size over comfort. Hubba hubba. Ahem. For a single episode, not a marathon.
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By Krutus on Sep 18, 2009
It comes down to what is more of a priority for the person.
Phil’s priority is a bigger and better picture over comfortable seating.
Your priority is comfortable seating over a bigger and better picture.
Neither of you are right or wrong, it’s just comes down to personal preference.
I’d go for the big TV as I prefer a bigger and better picture.
I’ll go for the small TV when it’s time for bed.
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By Melchoir on Sep 18, 2009
I tend to gravitate towards the bigger screen. Granted, the size difference is key here. If there is a 15″ difference, big screen, no question. If there is only a 5″ difference, then laying down could win out. To me, the size of the screen is part of the comfort equation. I’m not much on having to squint from across the room to make out what is going on. However, I have a knack for getting comfortable on just about any size furniture, so the uncomfortable chair may not be that bad. I have, what has been hailed as, an almost feline-like ability to curl up into comfortable positions on furniture.
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By Kailen on Sep 18, 2009
It depends. I have bad vision so I need a TV big enough for me to see, but if I can have the TV close enough to the bed / couch / whatever, then size isn’t much of an issue.
I have to say I would rather be comfortable than have a big TV. Size doesn’t matter.
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By Phaedra on Sep 18, 2009
I think this comes down more to male vs female. As a female, I prefer comfort over bigger TV. My husband, however, prefers bigger TV over comfort. I wonder how many of the previous responses break down like this?
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By Aboo on Sep 18, 2009
Big TV, even if I have to stand. On one foot. In the rain.
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By Desi on Sep 18, 2009
Comfort over size… but the DVR trumps all. Which room has the DVR?
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By Stephanie on Sep 18, 2009
Bed. Hands down!
We also have a bedroom TV and a larger TV downstairs and I have SOLVED the TV problem by getting a futon that is always in the “bed” position and I get all my TV watching done lying nice and comfy with a blanket upstairs or down. It’s marvelous! (^_^)
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By Ratshag on Sep 18, 2009
The more horizontal ya can gets fer TVifying, the better.
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By GHOSTKID on Sep 18, 2009
TJ I’m a guy. As a guy I am ashamed to admit that in your blog entry I agree with you. TV size<comfort while watching.
There are some factors that could make you lose the arguement, however.
If the point is to watch TV then you win, but guys rarely just watch TV. Even when we are just watching a game we are doing more than watching a game.
Game watching: A large TV is important on it's face, but the location of the large TV is usually why we gravitate to the large TV for a game. The large TV is usually in the living room. The living room usually has a place to be comforable prone (couch/recliner/etc.). In addition the living room is on the same floor as the kitchen. The kitchen has snacks and beverages. Guys watch games on the big TV for the comfort, snacks, and beverages. The size of the TV is mostly incidental.
Playing-around-on-the-computer TV watching. Since Playing WoW has us sitting upright at our computers the comfort arguement is completely thrown out the window. The snacks and beverages are a non-factor as well because we get them gathered for our play time. We want to be self-sufficient for the next few hours, and only reluctantly leave the computer for the necessary bio break. The size of the TV is completely irrelivant. The TV is background noise only.
The reason Phil offered you the big TV was that he wanted you in the same room with him. The TV size can not trump comfort. You'll stay in bed because you are watching TV. Phil is playing the game. Remember, guys don't usually just watch TV.
While in bed the size of the TV doesn't matter at all. For most guys this is a 'wind'down' time. The images on the screen are less relevant that resting from the day's work and play. At this point the TV is just flashing colors like a baby's mobile over his crib.
Bottom line – guys watch TV for other reasons than watching TV. We're simple creatures. We work, play, eat, sleep and screw. These are the main drives behind our actions. Other things are distractions while we're doing these things or until we get to do these things.
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By Crashandburn on Sep 18, 2009
Gonna have to side with you on this one TJ, no point having a TV if you can’t be comfortable watching it.
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By Medievalnurse on Sep 18, 2009
I agree with you, with a certain modifier. I agree you should lie down to watch TV, however, I think you should put a big TV in the room to watch lying down.
Desi – I solved that issue by having a DVR on both the really big TV in the living room and the big TV in the bedroom.
Ratshag – your opinion is voided because you don’t own a TV and I can’t get you to get one so we can watch TV together in any way, shape or form when I am there!!
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By Roast on Sep 18, 2009
“or a larger TV where you have to sit upright in a non-reclining chair”
Um, what kind of office chairs do you have that DON’T RECLINE? That’s crazyness righ there. My computer chair is the most comfortable chair in the house.
Though, I have to say if the chairs are uncomfortable, in bed is the place to be…except for sports of course. Sports MUST be watched in HD.
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By Grimmtooth on Sep 18, 2009
Sorry, Phil, but I gotta go with the Teej on this one. In fact, I’d go so far as to campaign to move the big TV into the bedroom, assuming it wasn’t TOO big.
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By Tami on Sep 18, 2009
1) I also do not like Bones. The sexiness of Angel notwithstanding, even he was not enough to draw me after two episodes. Solidarity, Phil!
2) However, I am going to side with TJ on this one. I would rather watch TV while in the comfortable position of my choosing than watch it on a larger television. I’m not sure exactly where the comfort_level intersects the tv_size in making my decision, but I am comfortable with my ability to mathematically graph the calculation and decide which tv to watch at any given time. Comfort > Size. And that can be quoted out of context with no loss of truth. (booya)
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By Carrie on Sep 18, 2009
I also have to go with the comfort factor here. This can be visualized by the layout of our living room, where the only currently working TV is. We have a couch directly across from said TV, where you can sit up and stare the TV right in the face. Next to the couch, arranged perpendicularly to it so it makes a corner, is a loveseat. At any given time, you will find me laying across the loveseat and having to look slightly sideways at the TV rather than sitting right in front of it.
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By Nej on Sep 18, 2009
Comfort over TV size…for sure!!
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By Bernie on Sep 18, 2009
@Phil, What you need to do is hang a really big flat screen on the bedroom wall.
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By Steve on Sep 18, 2009
Bernie said:
“@Phil, What you need to do is hang a really big flat screen on the bedroom wall.”
QFT! :)
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By Stephi on Sep 18, 2009
I have to say, we (as in I) rearranged the house so that our VBTV was moved from the PC room (which had no nice way to recline) to the living room so that I could recline and watch the VBTV. We also happened to move the PCs into the living room, so that solved that whole PC/TV problem too.
I didn’t like watching the BTV in the bedroom as much cause well, that’s when I’m getting ready for sleep.
So I think I just totally missed the argument by moving the TV. O.o
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By Luckedout on Sep 18, 2009
We just don’t have a television. At all. I know.. we’re freaks. The few times we do watch movies or TV shows, we’ll watch in on our laptop in the bedroom… so i side with you on this. We don’t care about what we watch or size.. just how comfy we are during.
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By Will on Sep 18, 2009
You should get Sling and watch it on an iPhone. Then you can also watch it in the bathroom.
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By E on Sep 18, 2009
Honestly, when I watch TV in my bedroom, I am usually so cozy that I fall asleep within 3 commercial breaks.
I would NOT enjoy watching TV in an office chair, so therefore I think the tie-breaker here is that you grab some pillows and afghans (the blankets, not the people) and enjoy the same show in the same room on the same couch, all snuggly and cuddly.
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By Cynthia on Sep 18, 2009
The only time I watch tv or movies in an upright position is at the theater, and even then I’m being rude and propping my feet on the chair in front of me (assuming it is empty).
This is why I can’t watch tv on my desktop. I can play an engrossing video game (WoW) for hours; but no thanks Hulu, I must lie down for my shows.
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By Persecuted on Sep 18, 2009
Bigger TV all the way. Laying down to watch it in bed makes you prone to falling asleep. Then the TV ends up watching you!
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By haleyhughes on Sep 18, 2009
It’s obvious that you need a larger TV in the bedroom, which would settle the debate. Comfort AND size.
Personally, I tend to go for comfort. We have a 70 inch HD TV in the family room that will go days without being turned on. Instead, you’ll often find us in our respective offices on our computers and watching our 15-inch non-HD televisions, sometimes tuned to the same channel.
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By Ebby on Sep 18, 2009
It isn’t even an issue for me. Small TV’s to me are absolutely useless. If there is a larger TV, I will watch it and I will MAKE it comfortable to sit there. I don’t care how comfy it is in front of the small TV I get eye strain trying to see.
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By Susie on Sep 18, 2009
I choose smaller, less complicated tv and bed over larger, more complicated HD tv with surround sound and multiple infuriating remotes. My choice relates also to not having to wear pants while watching the tv in our room.
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By David on Sep 19, 2009
Wait, Phil doesn’t like Bones? Put him in the basement with no TV until he recants and you can watch whatever on whicever TV you please!
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By Liz on Sep 19, 2009
We have a big TV in the family room, HD and all, and small one (those really old style one) in bedroom. I still prefer to lie in bed watching the small bedroom one.
The big one is reserved for playing all sorts of Wii games. :P
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By Cynthia on Sep 19, 2009
Yeah, what’s the deal with Phil not liking Bones? That is *almost* a deal-breaker.
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By Tay on Sep 20, 2009
For me this depends.
Football + larger TV and no concern for comfort = WIN.
Tonight show with conan (after a long day and my back may or may not be killing me) + small TV and bed= Win
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By Wai Wurrie on Sep 20, 2009
I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that the size of the TV has to be directly proportional to the amount of people watching it. Watching a large TV on your own feels almost guilty and uncomfortable and so is perfectly natural to watch a small one from bed.
However, once the social aspect comes into play, then you the size of the screen is what matters.
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By Jim C on Sep 20, 2009
So get a recliner and lay back comfortably watching the big TV.
PS will also come in handy when argument gets out of hand someone get kicked out of bedroom.
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By Seere on Sep 21, 2009
Ok.. firstt… wtf… why would you leave the very big tv all alone downstairs?? Are the couches made out of rocks that you cant watch bones downstairs? (awesome show). Office sucks…
but I say that I agree with both of you…
Phil is right.. HD and bigger tvs are Win.
Buttttt TJ, I enjoy being comfortable while watching tv… otherwise I keep movin around and dont enjoy anything..
I think, you should do what our family does.. we either PVR things we all like to watch and watch them as a family. Or we all go downstairs to the big screen and watch it live as a family. Then go our seperate ways depending on whats next.
I still live at home (in college and all). But I bought a big lcd tv, thats in my room.. across from my big bed.. and sandwiched between my 2 computers…
So… yah…
I say your both 50% right.. and i think your both 100% weird for not taking 30 mins together and going downstairs to watch your show.
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By Uncomfortable chair? on Sep 21, 2009
Well hold on … how uncomfortable can these chairs really be if you spend a large portion of your time playing WoW, working, and watching TV in them?
I would absolutely choose to watch a larger TV from my computer chair than lay in bed and watch a smaller TV. I’m quite comfortable in the chair I sit in to play WoW – I mean, of course I am, otherwise how would I spend hours upon hours playing WoW in it?!
Oh, and the fact that the bigger TV is also HD also plays a role, imo, which most people are ignoring.
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By Chiana on Sep 21, 2009
watching tv in bed is best – no matter how big the screen… but big tv > small tv (obviously). so why exactly aren’t you two moving the very big tv in the bedroom? you don’t seem to be using the “living room tv” alot.
and if the “small tv” is too small to watch while eating – why don’t you eat in your “office” room? i do it all the time, just try it :->
of course, moving your furniture around is probably less amusing than having an argument about tv sizes. i guess i get your point
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By Capn John on Sep 21, 2009
If Sleepless in Seattle was on the small TV where I could watch it while luxuriating in the luxurious luxury of our King-sized bed, I’d still rather watch The Dirty Dozen on the big TV, knowing I’d be doing so while standing up leaning against the wall. Of course if The Dirty Dozen was on the small TV it’s no contest. Big-screen TV wins over small TV any day of the week and twice on Sundays…unless the Hour of Power is on the Big-screen TV. That’s when it’s time to take a stroll down to the local donutte shoppe :)
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By Donja on Sep 22, 2009
Me – Big HDTV
Wife – Comfortable TV
If I had my way, I’d get rid of the TV in the bedroom. But I’m married, I don’t get my way.
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By TheWicked on Sep 22, 2009
I have to side with Phil on this one. Big HDTV beats comfort hands down. Then again the only shows I watch on my TV are Lost and Top Gear, both of which are made better by a big TV.
The TV is mainly for console games and watching movies. In both cases size trumps comfortability any day of the week.
My Wife completely agrees with TJ though.
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By Byrd on Sep 23, 2009
Just move the big tv into the bedroom. Then you have the best of both worlds. Back to the question though, I would go with the tv near the bed, for comfortable viewing.
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By Tracy on Sep 23, 2009
Oh ja, tv by the bed, no doubt. I like more modest sized televisions anyway, it makes me feel vaguely morally superior. I was a little sad when my husband got the Sony flat screen because I wanted to be the kind of family that doesn’t care about tv and only have some old set to watch documentaries.
Yeah, we’re not actually that kind of family, but I liked seeming to be.
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By Paul on Oct 1, 2009
Phill is the winner… big + floor = win!
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