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Calculate the optimal viewing distance for your TV
by Edmund Tinblock
Copyright © 2006 Best Buy Canada
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Is a bigger TV always better? A 60" TV really doesn't look that great if you're sitting only four feet away. Plus, it'll probably give you a headache. Your viewing experience is affected not only by the size of your TV, but also how far away you sit. So just what is the ideal TV viewing distance?
The answer? It depends. If you have a large TV, you will be able to sit farther back than you can with a smaller TV. And, thanks to the high level of detail provided by high definition (HD), you can sit closer to an HDTV than you can to a standard set. The important point is this: to get the most out of your TV, you need to get the right size to fit in your viewing space.
Avoid side effects
The main problem with sitting too close to certain LCD TVs (flat-panel and rear-projection) is that you'll be able to see the individual pixels that make up an image, a phenomenon called the 'screen door' effect. You may also experience fatigue and eye discomfort if you sit too close, particularly if you have a tube (CRT) TV.
A screen that's too small or too far away will just be frustrating to watch, since you won't see all the details. You may also tire out your eyes by having to squint constantly.
Calculate the right viewing distance
To find out how far away you should be sitting from the TV screen, you just need to do a little math. For standard TVs, multiply the screen size by 3. For HDTVs, multiply by 2.5. See the table below for some examples.
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| Screen Size |
Viewing Distance |
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Standard TVs |
HDTVs |
| 27" |
81" (6'9") |
68" (5'8") |
| 32" |
96" (8') |
80" (6'8") |
| 37" |
111" (9'3") |
93" (7'9") |
| 42" |
126" (10'6") |
105" (8'9") |
| 50" |
150" (12'6") |
125" (10'5") |
| 60" |
180" (15') |
150" (12'6") |
This also works in reverse. If you know you have eight feet (96") between where you want to sit and the front of the screen, divide by 3 to find out the screen size of the standard TV you should be getting or 2.5 if you're looking at an HDTV.
In the end, this is just a guideline, and you may well be perfectly comfortable sitting a little closer or farther away from your TV. Let your eyes be the judge.
If you need help finding the right size of TV for your space, see a Product Specialist at your nearest Best Buy.
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