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When it comes to your TV, size matters
Picking the right TV for your media room, bedroom, or home theater can feel daunting. A TV is an investment that could be with you for as long as the next five to ten years, so of course you want to make the best choice.
While you can go as big or as small as you like, with size classes ranging from 15 inches to as large as 105 inches, we’re here to help you find the best fit for your home without sacrificing comfort or picture quality.
TV viewing distance is important
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You’re probably heard of resolution before – it has to do with how many pixels (or tiny dots) make up the image on your television screen. The higher the resolution, the more dots your screen has. Generally, more is better, because more pixels allow for greater detail and sharpness, even at closer viewing distances.
Obviously, if you’re too far from your TV, the picture will be too small and you’ll miss out on a lot of detail. This detracts from the immersion your TV shows, movies, and video games try to create. Likewise, if you’re too close, you may begin to notice the pixels, flaws in the picture, and will likely feel overwhelmed by the colossal screen warming the tip of your nose.
Ultimately, when you choose the right size TV, these problems are never an issue, making for a far more enjoyable viewing experience.
Quick reference TV viewing distance formulas
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Want a big-screen, cinematic experience?
We suggest trying THX’s formula: Divide the diagonal screen size by .84. Then divide by 12 to convert your recommended viewing distance from inches to feet.
- THX: diagonal / .84 = X / 12 = viewing distance in feet
Example: You’d want to sit about 77 inches (~6.5 feet) away from a 65-inch TV (65 / .84 = 77.38″ / 12 = 6.45′).
Want a more intimate, comfortable experience?
Use Samsung’s suggested formula, in which your viewing position will be three to four times the screen height, which is roughly half of the screen’s diagonal size.
- Min: screen height x 3 = X / 12 = viewing distance in feet
- Max: screen height x 4 = X / 12 = viewing distance in feet
Pro Tip: There’s a shortcut for estimating screen height. Just divide the diagonal screen size by two. So the height of a 65-inch screen would be roughly 32.5 inches.
Example: The recommended viewing distance for a 65-inch TV would be about 97.5 inches (~8 feet) to roughly 130 inches (~11 feet) (32.5″ x 3 = ~97.5″ / 12 = ~8′ and 32.5″ x 3 = ~130″ / 12 = ~11′).
What about the best viewing distance for 4K Ultra HD TVs?
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Photo courtesy of Sony.
With four times the resolution of 1080p HD, 4K Ultra HD technology changes everything when it comes to viewing distance – but in a good way. With a 4K Ultra HD TV, you can have an even larger display in your space without sacrificing video fidelity.
If you’re someone who wants a TV that’s as big as possible while getting the best performance, a Sony 4K or Samsung Ultra HD TV may best for you.
Don’t forget to consider your lifestyle
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If you invite your buddies over to watch the game every week or host a movie night with your friends, consider going big. If it’s just you and your significant other, and all you use your TV for is Netflix or the occasional PlayStation game before bed, you may be fine with something a bit more modest.
When in doubt, keep in mind that more people are satisfied with having gone “too big” than “not big enough.” You can never make a smaller screen larger, and while a big TV may be intimidating at first, you’ll quickly grow accustomed to it.
Still can’t decide which TV is right for you?
When you shop at HiFi House, our system designers are happy to provide you with a professional recommendation. You can even visit one of our showrooms to get a feel for a TV’s size before you have us install it.
If you’re in the Philadelphia or Wilmington area, set up an appointment for a FREE, on-site consultation with one of our experts. Not only can we narrow down the best size for your viewing space – we’ll find the best TV for your needs and budget.
Click here to set up your appointment for a FREE, on-site consultation, or call 1.800.990.4434.
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