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Original poster

AIBU about getting a massive TV?

94 replies

MerryMarigold · 27/12/2022 12:51

Dh just celebrated his 50th. He got lots of money and wants to spend it on a TV. Ours is old (about 15 years) but functional (it is a flat screen!). I said it was a good idea to get a new one...but he's been looking at 65". I said it sounded big and he says we'll our current one is 40". I got the measuring tape out and 65" is massive. I also measured ours and it's 32". A huge one won't fit in the space we currently use so we'll have to move stuff around considerably as it's currently in a nook. Aside from that I feel a bit embarrassed. Our 2 closest friends with families don't even have a TV (through choice) but I just feel a massive TV which the house revolves around is not the impression I want to give of my family (it's in the main room of the house - open plan- you need to walk past it to get anywhere else in the house). Is that really snobby? At the same time, he is the one who watches TV not me and it's his birthday money.

At the moment I'm saying nothing other than I think he should stick to his birthday money budget (the TV he wanted, a Samsung 65" was almost double the budget) so he can either get a cheaper brand or a smaller TV. Should I shut up and just let him get a massive one?

OP posts:
HikingforScenery · 27/12/2022 15:54

DashingWhiteSergeant · 27/12/2022 15:50

But you kind of do? Watching a TV show on a laptop in bed is really the same, just a smaller screen.

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Agree with this

BlackAmericanoNoSugar · 27/12/2022 15:55

DH and DD went shopping together, not for a TV. They came back with a 65" TV. We all now agree that it's too big. I find it difficult to watch as it's so big and only really watch TV on my computer now.

DH and DD are now only allowed to go shopping if accompanied by an adult.

Original poster
MerryMarigold · 27/12/2022 15:57

DashingWhiteSergeant · 27/12/2022 15:50

But you kind of do? Watching a TV show on a laptop in bed is really the same, just a smaller screen.

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But my point was that I don't watch it on the TV. Ie. We have enough devices to watch things on. Why do we need a 65" inch one?

OP posts:
PlaitBilledDuckyPuss · 27/12/2022 16:02

MerryMarigold · 27/12/2022 15:57

But my point was that I don't watch it on the TV. Ie. We have enough devices to watch things on. Why do we need a 65" inch one?

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Unless it's needed because of very poor eyesight, no one needs a giant TV - it's a nice-to-have because it's more 'immersive' but that has to be balanced with other factors, and any TV that can't be left in situ day in day out is too large for the room it's in.

Also consider the stand it's on, unless it's wall-mounted. For example, we'd have to replace our nice wooden TV stand (bought in the days when TVs were smaller) if we got a much larger TV - which of course, one can do, but it all adds to the expense.

DashingWhiteSergeant · 27/12/2022 16:03

MerryMarigold · 27/12/2022 15:57

But my point was that I don't watch it on the TV. Ie. We have enough devices to watch things on. Why do we need a 65" inch one?

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I was not judging your valid opinions on the size of telly you want - but saying you don’t have TVs in other rooms sounded snobby and a wee bit judgemental.

Oher · 27/12/2022 16:15

Just be honest and tell him that you hate giant TVs and that you like the TV in the nook. It isn’t about money (it you tell him stay on budget he’ll just come home with a giant one he found on sale, and you’ll be stuck with it).

People have different taste but giant TVs are generally seen as chavvy and something comedians make jokes about. It isn’t snobby to dislike them.

Just because he’s survived until 50 doesn’t mean that he gets to make a
massive change to the house that you hate.

BotterMon · 27/12/2022 16:16

Ours is 50" and I think it's too big. It's not a focal point as room is big. Can't stand the huge ones especially in small rooms.

Original poster
MerryMarigold · 27/12/2022 16:21

DashingWhiteSergeant · 27/12/2022 16:03

I was not judging your valid opinions on the size of telly you want - but saying you don’t have TVs in other rooms sounded snobby and a wee bit judgemental.

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That's true. We have soooo many devices to watch on, we have enough for 2 in every room I think if you include phones!

Update: due to distance to sofa I think he's going to go for 50" which is a compromise (still massive). Unfortunately we can't use some of the websites suggested as has to be Argos or Curry's due to a voucher from work... If you see a good one, let me know! We actually have no idea what we're looking for. He has 325.00 but I don't mind adding some from family money, just not doubling it.

OP posts:
teezletangler · 27/12/2022 16:22

We got one smaller than that and it felt too big for the room. It completely dominated the space and I found it almost difficult to watch as it was too large and close for the distance from the sofa. We exchanged it for one size down and it was much better. So I think it totally depends on the space.

DashingWhiteSergeant · 27/12/2022 16:22

MerryMarigold · 27/12/2022 16:21

That's true. We have soooo many devices to watch on, we have enough for 2 in every room I think if you include phones!

Update: due to distance to sofa I think he's going to go for 50" which is a compromise (still massive). Unfortunately we can't use some of the websites suggested as has to be Argos or Curry's due to a voucher from work... If you see a good one, let me know! We actually have no idea what we're looking for. He has 325.00 but I don't mind adding some from family money, just not doubling it.

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Glad you have found a compromise you are both happy with. Enjoy.

WaddleAway · 27/12/2022 16:24

We’ve got a massive TV and I hate it to be honest, but then I don’t watch TV. DH watches it, he bought it and he loves it so I just ignore it!

JaninaDuszejko · 27/12/2022 16:36

We just bought our new 43" Samsung in Curry in store. The sales people said Samsung, LG and Sony had the best components and would last the longest. We chatted about our old and very slow Sony and he said they have a reputation for slow software. Getting the 2021 version of any TV will probably save you some money vs a 2022 version.

Having seen our 43" in our playroom I think a 50" will be fine in an open plan space.

BasiliskStare · 27/12/2022 17:03

@whatat And yes, I am a snob, as I think there is a direct correlation between social class and the size of your TV in proportion to the size of your room.

So I agree @whatat the TV should be in proportion to the size of the room - that's just common sense. I don't agree that a slightly oversized TV directly correlates to your social class. @Other I know what you mean about giant Tvs being described as Chavvy but again - get one which is in proportion to the size of the room. Common sense.

Unless you are Hyancinth Bouquet - if the TV fits in the room , looks OK and works for the size who cares . The days of tiny TVs - because TV is not our thing have long gone ( by which I mean as a statement ) - if people don't like TV that is a different matter.

Ha ha

DillDanding · 27/12/2022 17:43

I’d only have a massive tv if we had a massive room for tv watching, separate from our sitting room.

I’m an inveterate snob and simply hate to see a huge tv in a sitting room.

My parents had a 65 inch one, and even though their sitting room was huge, it was like an enormous behemoth. My mum detested it.

Cuppaand2biscuits · 27/12/2022 17:46

My husband bought a 65 inch Samsung home last year and I thought it was ridiculously large and was so worried about the children damaging it.
But I have to say, I love it! And once it was fixed to the wall it felt very safe

wherearebeefandonioncrisps · 27/12/2022 19:36

We have a large tv and we love it. My eyesight isn't that good these days so I really appreciate that these things exist.

Survey99 · 27/12/2022 20:09

MerryMarigold · 27/12/2022 15:13

I think the point about what people think was maybe clumsily put. I don't want it to define us as a family. I don't want it to dominate the house etc. With a telly that huge, it'll probably look like we also have one in every room but in fact, we don't have any in other rooms! So I can take my own personal comfort in that. 🤣

I have never looked at someones telly and either judged them for it or used it to work out what they might have in other rooms in their house. You certainly have some unhealthy ishooos over how your family are perceived by others.

It is maybe something you should reflect on and try to deal with so you don't pass it into your children.

TeaCosyApplePie · 27/12/2022 20:24

I hate giant TVs and the way they dominate the room. I also don't like the TV as a focal point, so we downsized when our larger ancient one finally broke to a 43" OLED. It fits in a nook and the fireplace is now the focal point which is much better. Even DH agrees that a massive TV isn't necessary. Personal preference of course but I would stick to your guns and compromise on something smaller - you're going to have to live with it as well as him.

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