We are currently researching a next-generation broadcasting system named “Super Hi-Vision”, which has 16 times higher image resolution than that of a high definition television. Using our newly developed 85-inch
liquid crystal display (LCD) for Super Hi-Vision, we performed subjective evaluations to quantify the preferred viewing distance and psychophysical effects of the sense of “being there” and sense of “realness”. The results of the first experiment indicate that the preferred viewing distance is 2.5H (H is picture height) on the average and is distributed between 1.5H and 4H regardless of resolution and content. The results of the second experiment indicate that the sense of “being there” and the sense of “realness” improve as the image resolution increases when viewing at less than 3H.