TV viewing distance

Cardew

I am really surprised at the differing advice given by major manufacturers. For instance Samsung recommend the optimum is 4 times the diagonal measurement of the screen. See:






Others recommend 1.5 times the TV diagonal measurement. Sony:


Viewing distance and picture quality: two parts of the screen size equation
For HDTVs, we recommend sitting anywhere from 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 times the screen diagonal.
Screen Viewing distance range
32" 4.0-6.7 feet
37" 4.6-7.7 feet
40" 5.0-8.3 feet
46" 5.7-9.5 feet
50" 6.3-10.4 feet
55" 6.9-11.5 feet
60" 7.5-12.5 feet
65" 8.1-13.5 feet
70" 8.75-14.6 feet
75" 9.4-15.6 feet
80" 10.0-16.7 feet
84" 10.5-17.5 feet

Cardew

Couldn't get the formatting correct on the above post.


I have a full HD 46" Sony Bravia and sit approx. 11ft(head to screen) from the TV. For optimum viewing, according to Sony I sit too far away; according to Samsung much too close.


So what distances do others sit from their TV

Belenus

The optimum is probably what you feel most comfortable at.

Cardew

I agree with your definition!

RumRat

The eternal argument, again.......:(
Buy TV. Place in only position you have, determined by either ergonomics or OH. Sit in your normal position. Enjoy TV..;)
Or:-
Worry about it because someone on a forum says you are too far away and you wasted your money, because apparently you can't tell the difference from your sofa between HD and SD. No matter how many times you tell them you can......:p
!!!!!! the maths..

ukcarper

I sit 13ft from my 37in and can't tell difference between 1080i and SD but I don't lose any sleep over the fact. As people say buy the TV you like put it where you like and enjoy but do bear in mind they have a bad habit of shrinking.

googler

Followed one of these charts earlier in the year, and found ourselves at the point where I could almost touch the screen with my toe, whilst there was acres of empty room space behind the viewing chairs.

Now the room is arranged the way we want it, not how someone thinks we should have it arranged.

Strider590

This viewing distance stuff probably came from a concerned parent, but whatever the official viewing distance, the spawn will always sit 2inchs from the screen.

Cardew

There seems to be a lot of unnecessary sensitivity on this issue. Who cares where anyone sits, besides it is unlikely all occupants in a room can sit the same distance.


I was merely pointing out that the recommendations for optimum viewing from two major manufacturers differ wildly. e.g for a 46" TV Samsung suggest 15.33ft and Sony suggest 5.7 to 9.5ft.


Incidentally WHICH recommend sitting 10ft from a 42" TV.

agrinnall

"Viewing distance (in feets)"

LOL.

[Deleted User]

I find it's the programme quality that needs improvement, not the picture quality.