Quote Originally Posted by Smokey
What about the light (ambient) behind the [non projection] TV?

I always thought that professionals recommended putting a low light (6500 k degree) behind TV to enhance viewing. And it does. I could not watching my CRT TV without the ambinet light behind it in dark room, or it will give me eye ache especially if there is alot of action on screen.

Also have an ambinet light behind computer monitor also
If you screen takes up your field of vision, you don't need a backlight. This recommendation was made when the average screen size was more like 32 and 40", and people sat far away from the set. Now that it is approaching 50", a backlight is not necessary for most folks. If you get eyestrain these days, it is from having your monitor too bright(or not calibrated), or you are not sitting close enough to it for it to cover your field of vision. I sit exactly 7 feet from my smallest television(a 52" XBR), and I don't need a backlight(its properly calibrated as well). My computer screens are 26 and 30", and I don't need a backlight there either(they are also calibrated believe it or not). Now when my computer screens were 17 and 19", I absolutely needed a backlight. When my largest TV was 40", I most definitely had a backlight. A properly calibrated set viewed from the proper distance needs no ambient lighting in the room(it also has to be a certain size as well).

Keep in mind, ambient light is designed for placement in back of the set - a place that should not change any viewing perimeters. Unfortunately the light does not stay exactly behind the television, and can splay on walls to the sides of the set. That will reduce the contrast of the set.