The Science Behind Optimal TV Viewing Distance in Home Theater Systems

January 28, 2019
The Science Behind Optimal TV Viewing Distance in Home Theater Systems
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The Science Behind Optimal TV Viewing Distance in Home Theater Systems

The advent of smart TVs has changed the way we view and interact with content be it DTH, cable TV, surfing your favourite website, social media or Netflix and chill. Smart TVs have truly enhanced the home theater system as well when it comes to pure audio-videos stimulus rendering all traditional multimedia systems obsolete. But how do you know which size is perfect for your living room? The answer lies in a few simple calculations that depend on the size of your very own living room space and your TV viewing distance! A huge 55” screen may look fancy, however, what purpose would it serve in a small and cramped living room? Besides most traditional TVs in home theater systems just add to the clutter. Here, Ooberpad India’s blog presents some TV installation tips that will help you have an exceptional viewing experience!

1. TV Placement is Key

"Is the TV too large, or is the room is too small?". This sparks an old topic of debate that people have heated discussions. In the end, most people would agree that it is as pointless as asking, ‘’Did the chicken come first, or the egg?’’. Being able to afford a 50”+ TV and a home theater system in India is a much easier task today. But, will it be worth having a TV viewing distance that would be poor? Conditions like migraines, eye strain, dry eyes, etc. are all symptoms of a much larger problem that arises if one did not know about these handy TV installation tips. Let’s take a close look at these symptoms:

  • Migraines: Though very common nowadays, migraines are searing headaches that tend to trouble you well into your 60s. One can prevent this by limiting the amount of time one watches TV daily.
  • Dry Eye Syndrome: Watching TV for long hours continuously can cause your eyes to become dry due to lack of enough lubrication. Though a mild issue, it can be dangerous long term if not treated with eye-drops for lubrication
  • Eye Strain: This happens when the TV is too close to the viewer. Eye strain can be prevented by sitting at an acceptable distance from the TV screen.

The cost of your TV won’t matter so long as you are not straining your body. The moral of this story is, your health is priceless, don’t try to cut corners when it comes to the placement of your TV.

2. What is the Ideal TV Viewing Distance?

 What is the Ideal TV Viewing Distance

Sitting at the right distance away from the TV depends solely on the size and the type of the screen. It is recommended one sit approximately 8 to 10 feet away from the screen. To be accurate, as a rule of thumb, one should be seated at least five times the distance away from the screen, the distance being the size of the TV, though some specialists would agree that the ideal distance would be where the viewer would be able to watch the television set without feeling any discomfort or strain.
Other problems arising from a poor TV viewing distance are trouble focusing, blurred vision, double vision, increased light sensitivity, neck-pain and backache.
To better understand the ideal TV viewing distance, refer to the diagram above of our TV installation tips section.

3. Other Tips to Keep in Mind

There are many more things to consider while placing your TV besides your distance from the TV:
  • Angle: The best way to position your TV would be to place it directly in front of your face, avoiding any chance of eye strain. You should not have to look more than 15 degrees upward or downward, not more than 40 degrees to your left or right in order to see the screen 
  • Ambience: There should be adequate light in the room to reduce strain on the eyes. Make sure not to use lights directly above the TV as your eyes will strain to discern contrasting levels of brightness. Modern TV in home theater systems in India provide ample amount of control over your room ambience
  • Balance: If your TV has a wall mount or a stand, ensure the balance is perfect and the TV does not lean on either side. A perfectly balanced TV is one where the picture does not appear to be uneven and there is no risk of it falling
An important observation to note down about TV viewing distance - any change in viewing angle is directly proportional to the picture quality as well as the level of strain on the eyes. Don’t take any risks, keep viewing angles within the limit to ensure a pleasant TV viewing experience. Happy watching!


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