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[tedtropy]

While there's the occasional game that I like to play in total darkness as a free means of boosting its ambiance (Resident Evil 4, Doom 3, etc.), for the most part, I find a bright TV in a dark unlit room to be kind of uncomfortable. While I don't want a bright light or any kind of glare on the TV, I've found my idea balance is to have a floor lamp in a corner behind the TV with a low-wattage bulb in it. It kind of backlights my entertainment area and makes the light emitted from the TV less harsh. Same goes for when I'm watching most movies. Am I alone here, do most people prefer to watch their TV in utter inky darkness?

 

[mrklaw]

no light is bad for your eyes, but OK for occasional 'event' watching.

A light behind your screen, not directly in your eyes is the best way, as it reduces the difference between light and dark scenes, which is more relaxing for your eyes.

The new philips LCD screen has a coloured light on the back which lights up the wall behind it, varying the colours depending on the scene, for this very reason.

 

[DarienA]

Regular TV watching? On.
Movies? Off.

 

[Drexon]

Exactly, no light hurts your eyes, makes you blind as a mole at the age of 50 (vision deteriates during your lifetime, no lights speeds it up). I use a dimmer uplight wich is on slightyl

 

[Mermandala]

I also enjoy some ambient light unless horror is on tap, be it game or movie.

Gotta keep my shoddy vision just on the cusp of not needing glasses.

 

[KarishBHR]

tv=dimmed
movie/video games=off

 

[Jill Sandwich]

TV, on, unless it's something like 24. Movies, off.

Horror movies/games - strobe lights.

 

[Jotaro]

I want a strong and well-balanced light on everything. I want to be alone when I play games or movies, usually. I want to be isolated (because I experience my games, movies and tv shows better this way), but I need some comfort, which I get with the ambiant lighting, but some points of identification, which I also get this way.

 

[Howlin' Mad]

I usually have the lights on for television, except for Carnivale, which I think has some of the darkest scenes on tv. I usually turn them off for games.

 

[tedtropy]

no light is bad for your eyes, but OK for occasional 'event' watching.

A light behind your screen, not directly in your eyes is the best way, as it reduces the difference between light and dark scenes, which is more relaxing for your eyes.

The new philips LCD screen has a coloured light on the back which lights up the wall behind it, varying the colours depending on the scene, for this very reason.

Yeah, that lighting techology in the Phillips LCD is impressive. Somebody needs to make a tube-like light that attaches to the rear of a CRT or LCD, plugs into a computer's USB port and outputs a color that averages what's being shown on-screen.

 

[Richiban]

Usually when I'm just watching TV, I'll have my tabletop lamp on. It hurts my eyes to watch TV or play games in the dark. I should also mention that my apartment is really small, so having the TV going in the dark is rather annoying.

If I want to dim it up a bit, I'll usually just turn my stovetop lamp on and that's pretty good for movie watching, not to mention there's enough light so I don't trip and kill myself when I need a beverage refill.

 

[Neo_ZX]

TV: On
Movies: Off
Pr0n: Off (more romantic)

 

[MetatronM]

Regular TV watching? On.
Movies? Off.

Yeah, pretty much.

 

[Guzim]

TV: On
Movies: Depends what movie
Video games: Off

 

[fennec fox]

Normally on.

Mystery Science Theater 3000 advises me to turn off my lights before viewing, however, so I do that.

 

[kumanoki]

TV: On
Movies: Off
Games: Off

 

[Uncle Dukey]

Usually on.. With some games such as RPGs that have "fade to black" transitions between areas, it can be somewhat unpleasant for my eyes.