Comments on: Ideal Viewing Distances for High Definition TVs

By: Doogie

Doogie — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 18:34:41 +0000

Hi Paul

According to the chart, any screen size from 42 inches through 65 inches would work. My preference would be for something in the 50 to 60 inches range.

This article was written in 2007 and HDTVs have improved since then. Viewing angles and image quality have improved. Plasma screens tend to be sharper and have more contrast than LCD TVs.

I suggest that you go to the showroom and pace out the 9.5 feet from the various screens and also simulate the extremes of the viewing angles to see which HDTV sizes work best. Look for fuzziness, distortions and artifacts on the screen.

You cannot always judge a TV in the showroom based upon the color quality, because showroom HDTVs are typically set up to be brighter and with more contrast. That frequently looks bad in a home theater environment. Plan to adjust the picture quality when you take your HDTV home.

By: Paul F.

Paul F. — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 15:48:09 +0000

I’m looking to get a plasma HDTV. The distance to the screen from directly in front is about 9.5 feet; it would be set on an entertainment center the top of which is about 31″ high (so the screen would be a bit higher). What would the optimum screen size be? About 52″ to 55″? Would a 60″ be too big?

By: How To Select an HDTV - High Definition Television Tutorial

How To Select an HDTV - High Definition Television Tutorial — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 23:52:59 +0000

[...] are lots of good charts on the Internet for calculating the ideal viewing distances for HDTV screens. The basic rule is that you should not site closer than 1.5 times the diagonal measurement of the [...]

By: TE

TE — Tue, 13 May 2008 19:11:06 +0000

Plasma screens are a little more forgiving with viewing angles, but you really should set up an LCD to view pretty much straight on, rather than at an angle. The viewing angles are getting better with LCDs, but you can start seeing colors shifts if the viewing angle is too great.

I would think that viewing a 52 inch screen at 10 feet with the base 6 feet high would be a little like sitting in the front row of a movie theater. That is not the most comfortable configuration.

By: Richard Schambach

Richard Schambach — Tue, 13 May 2008 17:06:21 +0000

What about height? Does a 52″ TV mounted above a fireplace about 6 foot high and viewed from about 10 foot work out. I am afraid the viewing angle might be hard on my neck.