When setting up a home theater system, the TV size is one of the most important decisions to make. The right screen size and aspect ratio will allow you to experience all the amazing visual detail that modern televisions offer. It will also help to ensure that you have a comfortable long term viewing experience.
Most people set up their home theater systems in living rooms, family rooms, or dens. However, many people also use their TVs in other spaces such as bedrooms or kitchens. Whether you are looking to create a dedicated cinema space or simply want to replicate the feeling of a movie theatre at home, it is vital to get the home theater tv size right.
As television screens continue to become larger and more impressive, they can look overwhelming in smaller spaces. They can also suffer from a lack of immersion when placed too far from the seating.
If you have a large space to work with, you can experiment with various TV sizes to find the best fit. It is also possible to place multiple screens throughout your home to give everyone a view that suits them. However, not all homes are built the same, and obstacles such as fireplaces, interior walls, or load bearing beams may restrict where a TV can be placed.
Fortunately, there is a simple calculation that can help you determine the optimal TV size for your space. THX recommends a viewing distance of 40 degrees, and this can be calculated by multiplying your seating distance by the diagonal size of a TV panel. For example, if you are sitting nine feet from the TV, THX recommends a TV of 90 inches diagonal.
It’s also important to consider the resolution of your TV. Many new TVs are Ultra HD 4K, with some even offering 8K resolution. This is a significant improvement over the 1080p or 720p that was standard on most older TVs. Regardless of the resolution, a screen that is too small will struggle to deliver the sharp and crisp image quality that you are looking for.
Finally, you should also think about the field of view that you would like to achieve with your home cinema. Some viewers prefer a wide field of view that provides an immersive experience, while others would prefer a more focused viewing angle for close-ups or sports action.
Once you’ve made a choice about your ideal TV size, it’s worth testing it out in your room before making any final purchases. You can use a piece of cardboard cut to the same dimensions as the TV you are considering, and place it on your wall to see how it will look. For maximum accuracy, you can even use black electrician’s tape to mark the corners of the proposed screen on the wall.
Home theater tv size is an essential consideration for all homeowners looking to recreate the cinematic experience in their own living rooms. By taking the time to consider all aspects of this, you can ensure that your home cinema system will be the best that it can be.