Question for People Who Use Bias Lighting.

[s44]

Most commodity CFLs these days are 82 CRI.

In theory you need 90+ for best results, but the $5 Home Depot light bulb makes a really nice difference. Sure you can improve things further with more money, but I'm not sure the backlight is the best place to spend it.

 

[kalrith]

IMO a flourescent with crappy specs is going to be better than a rope light. Unless you can find rope lights rated to 6500K, they're probably going to be closer to 3000K. From the pictures I've seen of other rope-light setups, I don't care for the glow they cast.

My 5000K 90 CRI bulb was $6 at Lowes. The light fixture was about $8. The fixture came with a bulb, but it wasn't a good one.

 

[ManBearPig]

okie dokie, going there soon. so a 5000K at 90 CRI is better than a 6500K 90< CRI? I have off-white/beige-ish walls. Hopefully i can find a 15" light within specs. Ill try your zip tie idea as well.

 

[kalrith]

okie dokie, going there soon. so a 5000K at 90 CRI is better than a 6500K 90< CRI? I have off-white/beige-ish walls. Hopefully i can find a 15" light within specs. Ill try your zip tie idea as well.

5000K at 90 CRI is better than 6500K at 70 CRI. If it were 6500K at 80CRI, then that would be a harder decision. The lower the CRI the less chance it has of living up to its temperature spec. i.e. 5000K at 90CRI should yield 5000K, but 6500K at 70CRI could likely yield much less than 5000K.

 

[ManBearPig]

Thanks Kal. Heres a problem...my ventilation holes (LN52B750) run horizontally on the top/bottom of the tv. How exactly would i set it up in that case? Would i be better off with velcro or something?

 

[kalrith]

You could connect it a few different ways. Velcro or mounting tape would probably do the job, but remember to clean the cabinet with rubbing alcohol first. You could also put screws into the four mounting holes on the back of the TV and use four long zipties or strings and suspend the light from those. You could even mount the light to the wall behind the TV or set it on whatever you have behind the TV, although those two options won't provide as even of a glow on the wall.

Here's an excerpt of the Cinemaquest Ideal-Lume Standard installation instructions:

Velcro self-adhesive hook and loop fasteners are provided for attaching the fixture to the back of the TV cabinet or other smooth surface. The adhesive used is a special industrial grade that will withstand high temperatures. CAUTION may not stick reliably to some TV cabinets. Use the alcohol swabs included to clean the surfaces where the Velcro will be attached. This will insure a long-lasting bond. Special plastic mounting clips, screws and drywall anchors are included if anchoring the fixture to the wall, or the cabinetry, is a better alternative. We do not recommend drilling holes in the back of the display. Many displays do not allow for this and drill bits or screws may contact vital components inside the cabinet.

Many displays have screws along the cabinet back that can provide a method for suspending the fixture. Try backing out two widely-spaced screws a few turns. The ends of two long strings or wires can be wrapped around the screws a couple of turns. Re-tighten the screws to clamp the end of the string or wire in place. The free ends of the strings or wires can then be formed into a loop and tied at various points to vary the height of the loop. Slip the loops over the opposite ends of the fixture so that it hangs horizontally against the back of the display. Some TVs have ventilation holes that can serve as attachment points for this technique as well.

 

[ManBearPig]

Good lord I went to lowes...no bulbs that were 6500K and 90+ CRI. I think the closest was 78. And if I would have bought two bulbs + two fixtures it would have been about $50 (more I think). Time to go somewhere else. There was a 5000K 90 CRI bulb I think. That LED rope light is looking mighty good...

 

[kalrith]

You don't need to get two lights since your TV isn't right up against the wall. I guess I spent a little more than I thought (either that, or the items were on sale when I bought them). Here's the light fixture for $17 and the bulb for $6.50. I'm pretty sure that's what I'm using. So, it would be $23.50 plus mounting accessories if you don't already have them.

And I would highly recommend not going with the rope light. $23.50 is probably 1-2&#37; of what your TV cost, and it's not like the rope light would be free. It's kind of like spending $2k on a TV and then not buying a calibration BD because they're OMG $20!!! Spend the extra $5-10 and do it right the first time. It'll cost a lot more to buy the rope light, be dissatisfied with it, and then buy the flourescent.

 

[ManBearPig]

Okay, you got me haha. You linked to the light fixture twice. I assume you meant the 5000K since you said 78 CRI for the 6500K is too low.

Now I just have to figure out which mounting method is best for me, although all seem like they'll suck. I definitely don't want to use industrial strength adhesive on my tv for the Velcro though.

 

[kalrith]

Sorry about that. Here's the correct link for the bulb.

I would say the best mounting method for you would be suspending the light from the string. Some people on avsforum said they used mechanics wire for this. You can loop the wire either around the mounting screws or through the ventilation holes. It seems that most people just connect two strings/wires and suspend it from the top and skip the two on bottom. Someone also mentioned that Samsung TVs have some sort of coating on the cabinet that doesn't come off with alcohol. The recommendation was to install with double-sided tape, but that would not allow you to remove the fixture like velcro would.

I'd start with the strings or wires and see how it works. Remember that since it's on the back of your TV, no one's likely to see it. The important thing is putting the appropriate glow behind the TV, which means installing the light in the center back of the TV and covering some of it with aluminum foil until you're pleased with the brightness and wall coverage that the light provides.

 

[ManBearPig]

Thanks a ton kalrith. I went and bought the stuff...good idea with the wire. I hope 24 gauge floral wire is enough, it was the cheapest one lol. It seems sufficient, and I like it because it's narrow.

I saw a similar suggestion in the AVS thread but it was not as good--involved looping the wire through the rear screws. No thanks. I hope 5000K produces as good results as 6500K and isn't too yellow.

To be honest, although I eventually want to purchase those cinema quest ones, I was really put off by the president of cinema quest's pretentious and IMO rude attitude in that thread and at many other threads at AVS.

 

[ManBearPig]

Umm how do i install this light fixture? I have no idea how to do this. Wtf doesnt it have a cord for?

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...WHI&amp;lpage=none

Guess thats yet another day wasted on this product. I cant find any corded fixtures on their website. maybe i should go to a different hardware store, heh.

 

[iRONic]

Damn... you've spent enough $$, time, and gas already that an Idea-lume fixture could have been shipped and installed behind your display by now.

 

[ManBearPig]

Haha, it's a PITA but the stores are pretty close so it's not a big deal. I was able to go to a local store and find a 6280K bulb at 94CRI!!

And a cheap fixture too. So all in all $23 for everything, not bad...vs ~$130 for two lumes + shipping.

Hopefully it turns out well.

 

[ManBearPig]

Umm WOW what a huge difference! This is amazing. Everyone loves the affect and can't believe how much better everything looks.

I feel like a 19" would be a bit better, but they don't make that size obviously hah. 24" (standard and the only other size the bulb comes in) would be way too big. The only reason i say that is because it seems more light comes out the top/bottom than the sides. Near perfect fit. Installation was kind of a PITA though. I'll probably rework the wires later.

But seriously...wow.

 

[kalrith]

I'm glad it made such a big difference! I had the same problem with too much light on top and bottom. Covering 50&#37; of the bulb right in the middle with foil seemed to solve that problem. Only the left 25% and right 25% are exposed, so it cuts out a lot of the top and bottom lighting.

 

[ManBearPig]

I'm glad it made such a big difference! I had the same problem with too much light on top and bottom. Covering 50% of the bulb right in the middle with foil seemed to solve that problem. Only the left 25% and right 25% are exposed, so it cuts out a lot of the top and bottom lighting.

Ill try to post pics sometime tomorrow. Im sure youll all laugh at my setup.

Is your TV 52" as well? Just curious to know since we used the same size bulbs. This is freaking incredible though, it even makes the set look much nicer with any room or hallway light on as well, plus the effect looks cool as hell haha.

 

[kalrith]

Mine's a 50". It's an amazing difference. I was using a desk lamp behind the TV before, and it didn't do too well. I usually only use mine when I have no other lights on, but that's how I usually watch my TV anyways. I would've been fine watching the TV in the dark with no bias light, but doing so was taxing on my wife's eyes. That was my original reason for getting it, but I must say I really like the effect as well.

 

[s44]

The OP already did his setup, but here is the old avsforum post that inspired my particular suggestion.

 

[jacc1234]

So does the color of the wall matter at all? I have blue walls, yes bright blue (thanks to the GF) in my tv room. I have a samsung LN46A650 on a TV stand and there is plenty of room to mount a light.

So if it would be beneficial even with blue walls would I point the light at the wall or at the back of the TV?

Thanks!

 

[0roo0roo]

well yea, it would make the reflected backlighting blue
whether thats tolerable is another question

 

[kalrith]

As far as the blue walls, I would say that the advantage of bias lighting would depend on how you normally watch TV. If you watch TV in total darkness, then that's probably better than having a bright blue wall illuminated behind the TV. However, if you watch TV with a couple lamps on and would turn those lamps off when you used bias lighting, then I think it would be a big benefit to you.

I have orangish walls. My wife won't watch TV in total darkness but will watch it with just the bias light on. The difference between having just a bias light on compared to having one or two lamps on is tremendous.