TV Size To Distance Calculator and Science PDF

7/4/2015 TV Size to Distance Calculator and Science
FIND YOUR TV
BY SIZE
FIND YOUR TVBY SIZE
32"
40" 42" 43"
46" 47" 48"
50"
55"
60"
65"
http://www.rtings.com/info/televisionsizetodistancerelationship 1/21
70" 75"
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Under $500
$501 $1,000
$1,001 $1,500
$1,501 $2,000
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Updated Apr 22, 2014 By Cedric Demers
TV Size to Distance Calculator and Science
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Distance: 8.0 feet 2.44 m
Size: 55"
480p
720p
1080p
4k Ultra HD
Size Width Height Area
32" 27.9" 15.7" 437 in2

70.9 cm 39.9 cm 0.283 m2
37" 32.2" 18.1" 585 in2

81.8 cm 46 cm 0.376 m2
36.6" 20.6" 754 in2
42" 93 cm 52.3 cm 0.487 m2
40.1" 22.5" 904 in2
46" 101.9 cm 57.2 cm 0.582 m2
50" 43.6" 24.5" 1068 in2

110.7 cm 62.2 cm 0.689 m2
55" 47.9" 27" 1293 in2

121.7 cm 68.6 cm 0.835 m2
60" 52.3" 29.4" 1538 in2

132.8 cm 74.7 cm 0.992 m2
65" 56.7" 31.9" 1805 in2

136.4 cm 81 cm 1.105 m2
70" 61.1" 34.4" 2102 in2

155.2 cm 87.4 cm 1.356 m2
75" 65.4" 36.8" 2407 in2

166.1 cm 93.5 cm 1.553 m2
Best picture quality
55" 4k TV
8.3
Apr 2015
Samsung UN55JU7100
ALL TV SCORES
7.9Dark Room
9.0Bright Room
8.3Upscaling
9.0Video Games
9.2Extra Features
CHECK PRICE
SEE FULL REVIEW
Best picture quality
55" 1080p TV
8.2
Apr 2015
Samsung UN55J6300
ALL TV SCORES
8.1Dark Room
9.0Bright Room
8.0Upscaling
8.4Video Games
6.9Extra Features
CHECK PRICE
SEE FULL REVIEW
See all TVs around 55"
The science behind our TV size and distance calculator
Bigger and closer is usually better when it comes to choosing the perfect television for your room. Not only is it the biggest factor
affecting the price of a television, but it also has a huge impact on the perceived picture quality.
Angular resolution
The closer you are, the lower your perceived pixel density will be
If you sit too close, though, you will notice the pixels of the television, even if you are watching a 1080p HD movie. By increasing
your distance from the TV, the density of the details will also increase, producing a better image. This is the angular resolution: the
number of pixels per angle. The farther away, the higher the angular resolution will be.
The chart also shows that 4K Ultra HD resolution is not worth it if you are sitting more than 6' away and have a 50" TV. Your eye
won't be able to tell the difference. Ultra HD only makes sense if you want a really big screen and plan on sitting close to it. Learn
more about 4k UHD.
Optimal Distance
Screen Size
1080p
25" 3.3' (1 m)
30" 4' (1.22 m)
35" 4.6' (1.40 m)
40" 5.3' (1.62 m)
45" 6' (1.83 m)
50" 6.6' (2.01 m)
55" 7.3' (2.23 m)
60" 8' (2.44 m)
65" 8.6' (2.62 m)
70" 9.3' (2.83 m)
The limit to which you can increase the angular resolution by stepping back depends on your visual acuity. At some point, your eyes
are not good enough to distinguish all the details. Studies show that someone with 20/20 vision (or 6/6 in Europe) can distinguish
something 1/60 of a degree apart. This means 60 pixels per degree, or 32.86 degrees for a 1080p television. Keep in mind that you
can see a single pixel from farther away (depending on its contrast with the rest of the picture).
If you want to learn more about where that limit of 1/60 of a degree comes from, you can read the Wikipedia page on visual acuity.
Using this data, the closest you can sit to your television while still maintaining the maximum perceived angular resolution is about
1.6 times the diagonal measurement of your television. For example, a 55" television will have an ideal viewing distance of 88" (55"
x 1.6), or 7 feet and 4 inches. The following table gives you the minimum distance for watching a 1080p HDTV screen while keeping
the angular resolution to the maximum that the human eye can perceive. The chart shows the optimal distance for the DVD (NTSC
720x480 or PAL 720x576), 720p, 1080p and Ultra HD (previously known as 4K) resolutions. Only the horizontal resolution is
considered, which is why both NTSC and PAL DVD resolutions are on the same line.
How do you interpret the chart?
There are a few ways to read the chart. For example, let say that you have a 50" television. Start at the bottom of the chart at 50". Up
to 3', you are below the blue line. This means you can see the pixels of an Ultra HD resolution. If you go back a bit (up in the chart),
between 3' and 7', an Ultra HD resolution does not matter anymore because you cannot see the extra pixels anyway. However, you are
still too close for a 1080p resolution (it will not appear perfect). Above 7', the perceived quality will start to decrease for 1080p
because your eye will not see all the details. You would notice the difference though, it if was 720p. For more than 10', it does not
matter if it is a 720p or 1080p HDTV, your eye is not good enough to see the difference. You will still see the difference for a
standard resolution video, though, up to a distance of 18'. To summarize, you can see the pixels if you are below the line, but not
when you are above.
Ideally, you want to be exactly on the line for your TV size and media resolution.
Compression Artifacts
This takes into account perfect resolution, which is never the case in real life. Even if you are watching an HD channel presented in
high resolution, there will be some artifacts due to the compression algorithm. Artifacts can appear in multiple forms like noise, blurs
or a pixelated image (see the picture to the right). You will be able to see artifacts from farther away, so consider the above numbers
as being for perfect 1080p media. The numbers show the minimum distance at which you start losing the advantage of the resolution.
Budget
You are probably now thinking something around the lines of "My couch is 10' away from my TV, which according to the chart
means I need a 75 inch TV. This is insane!". Yes, if you want to take advantage of the full capacity of 1080p resolution, this is the
ideal size. This brings us to a main limitation for most people: the budget.
The price of a TV is exponential to its size, as shown in the chart. The chart shows the price range of all 2014 TVs by their size. As
you can see, the jump to a 70 inch TV is quite a big one. For example, check out the price of our picks for the best 70"75" TVs.
Conclusion
To figure out which size TV to buy, divide your viewing distance by 1.6 for a 1080p resolution (or use our TV sizes calculator
above). You will see the pixels on bigger sizes and lose detail on smaller ones. If the best size is outside your budget, just get the
biggest TV you can afford.
FIND YOUR TVBY SIZE
32"
40" 42" 43"
46" 47" 48"
50"
55"
60"
65"
70" 75"
Questions & Answers
128 ANSWERED QUESTIONS
166
What is the best height above eye level to wall mount TV? What is the most commonly comfortable tilt angle to set TV on a tiltable
wall mountings ? ie: All of DaVinci's great paintings, like the Mona Lisa, have subjects' eye elevation located a distance of 68%
above the base of the painting.
There is no fixed answer because it depends on what you are watching. For example, if you play video games, the ideal height would
vary between first person and third person games. For TV shows, are you watching a sitcom, or the news? You either want to match
the director of photography's goal or the position of the camera. The same thing is true for the tilt angle. Ideally, set it so your eyes are
perpendicular to the screen.
Apr 20, 2013
73
I am planning on buying a 46 inch 3D LED TV (Samsung or LG). What is the best option, and at what distance should I sit to see the
full resolution?
The best TV depends on your budget and personal preference. Check out our recommendations in the 46" to 48" range. For a 46", the
optimal distance is 6 feet for 1080p resolution.
Jul 13, 2013
55
Can't decide between a 55" Samsung Smart TV or 60" Samsung Plasma 3D Smart TV. Are there any significant issues or differences
between LED and Plasma when it comes to 3D or Smart TV capabilities?
Smart TV capabilities are the same because manufacturers usually use the same software on both. For 3D, in this case both use Active
3D. There will not really be any difference if you are comparing a top LED vs a top Plasma. However, if you are comparing a mid
range LED to a midrange Plasma, the Plasma will have less crosstalk because the TV is able to switch between images a lot faster.
For more info, check out our plasma vs LED comparison.
Mar 11, 2013
53
I have a 70 inch LCD TV and I noticed that my eyes are not comfortable watching a TV of this size. I wear glasses and I have
checked my prescriptions and they are fine. When I watch TV shows, I feel like my eyes cannot concentrate on the TV, it is like my
left eye tends to go left and right eyes go right. It is a very uncomfortable feeling. My seating distance from the TV is approximately
911 feet. I have told my husband that the TV size is making my eyes uncomfortable, but he said that based on the numbers for a 70
inch TV, the optimum distance is 910 feet. Can you help me?
Are you watching 2D or 3D content? Also, do you normally have problems watching close objects for an extended period of time
(like a computer monitor)? The sensation that you are describing (your eyes tend to go their separate ways) is not really related to the
size of the screen, but to the distance. The closer an object, the more your eyes need to point inward. The muscles of your eyes might
not be used to pointing inward (for example, if you do not have a desk job). Your eyes should get used to it after a while, but tell your
husband to increase the seating distance if you still find it painful.
Jul 07, 2013
50
What is the minimum and maximum distance for a 40" 1080p HD TV? I find 7.8 FT too close in my room.
You benefit from the 1080p resolution closer than 7.8 ft, and you will see pixels at 5.2 ft. Of course, you can sit farther you just
won't see all the detail (assuming you are watching Bluray quality footage).
Nov 16, 2013
43
My viewing distance is 13 feet and want to buy 4k sony. Should it be 55 or 65 inches?
Go for 65".
Jul 08, 2014
41
What TV size would be best for the corner of a family room?
Use the calculator above and enter your viewing distance. In a corner, what matters most is the viewing angle of the television. Check
out our article on this here and check out our videos. Overall, for an LED, LG offers a better viewing angle than Samsung.
Sep 21, 2013
38
My living room is 25' long. Which is the best sized TV for that distance? I was thinking a 70 inch 1080p. In your opinion, will that
make for good picture?
25 feet is quite far, even for a 70 inch. Hopefully your seating distance is closer than that. Right around half of that would be great. If
not, just get the biggest TV you can afford.
Aug 18, 2013
37
I am sitting at a distance of 7.3' for a 55" 1080p HD TV, but I can still see some pixels. Is it normal?
Even if your television resolution is 1080p, you need 1080p media to get the full resolution. Also, 1080p media will have artifacts and
flaws especially if it is a streaming feed or a television show. Algorithms that encode media are not noiseless, meaning the final
picture can be blurry and can contain blocks. The optimal distance listed above is for an ideal case. In everyday life (except if you are
only watching high quality Blurays) you will need to stand farther from the television.
Feb 16, 2012
24
Couple questions: 1) What is the optimal height on the wall for a 70 and 75 inch TV? 2) What is the optimal distance in feet from a
70 and 75 inch TV?
1) This depends on your furniture and seating position. You want your eyes to arrive perpendicular to the screen. If you have a sofa of
a normal height, this means the center of the screen is at about four feet from the floor. Some sofas have a more laid back seating
position, though, so you can put it higher and tilt the screen downward. 2) Between 10 ft and 15 ft if you are watching 1080p.
Dec 19, 2013
23
I'm 10' (three meters) away from my TV and 90% of my shows are 720p. I'm planning on getting the 60" F5300 from Samsung. Will
that work fine, or do I need to get a smaller TV? I already have a 46" LED and I'm planning on replacing it with a bigger TV.
At that distance and size, you will see some pixels/artifacts when watching 720p content. However, that shouldn't be a deal breaker,
considering the proportion of 1080p content will only increase in the next few years.
Nov 28, 2013
23
I will be sitting seven feet away and am thinking of buying a 50 inch TV. Does that size/distance sound good?
Yes, this is very good, even for 1080p materials. You won't lose any detail.
Jan 02, 2014
21
I bought a Samsung 60 inch LED TV (H6400). My viewing distance is 14 feet. Am I at a good distance?
You are a little bit too far for watching 1080p video.
May 11, 2014
17
I am sitting about 10 feet from my 50 plasma full HD Samsung. What is the best resolution? I heard I have to lower it on my PC.
What about 1600 by 900?
It is always best to set your PC to the screen native resolution. In your case, it is 1920 x 1080. Otherwise, the screen needs to upscale
the picture, which will result in lost information and make it blurry.
Mar 22, 2013
17
I have a Sony 32 inch full HD LED. I am sitting 10 feet away from the TV. Will that be enough to see all the detail?
You will miss out on some detail while watching 1080p because you are too far. For a 32", you need to sit pretty close (five feet) if
you want to enjoy the full 1080p resolution.
Mar 28, 2014
14
I will be sitting six feet away from my TV, mainly watching 1080p footage and playing PS4. What is the best screen size to purchase?
46" would be perfect.
Nov 30, 2013
13
I have a 19" color TV. What is the minimum and maximum distance at which I should sit?
At that small size, you need to be really close if you don't want to lose any detail. Just try to be as close as possible.
Jan 27, 2014
13
I am planning on buying a 32" or 40" TV and the viewing distance is about 78 feet. Which TV should I buy?
Check out our best 32 inch LED TV and our best 40 inch one.
Feb 18, 2014
13
I'm considering buying a Samsung 75" UN75H6350. My viewing distance is about 1012ft. I mostly watch HD cable broadcast TV.
Will I see a lot of artifacts?
You will definitely see some artifacts on HD channels, and even on a 65". HD channels are low quality, so the artifacts cannot be
avoided if you want a big TV. Still, go for the UN75H6350. It is a great TV.
Aug 13, 2014
12
What does the value 4k mean in an UHD TV?
It refers to the number of horizontal pixels (contrary to 1080p, which represents the vertical lines). The 4K term has been used for a
long time now especially in the movie industry. In an attempt to make the name more consumer friendly, last year the Consumer
Electronics Association decided to rebrand 4k for televisions as Ultra HD. Check out 4k vs 1080p comparison.
Oct 14, 2013
11
I'm sitting eight feet from the TV. What is better 70 or 65 inch?
65" is good, whereas 70" would be slightly too big.
Jan 06, 2014
10
The problem is that we all have material in various resolutions, so I'm not sure which size will work well in real life. 480p content is
still very widespread, which leads to very small screen size in the chart, and watching 1080p leads to a completely different size
category, which won't work with the smaller size. So which size should I pick for, say 10', something that will let me enjoy 1080, but
not suffer when I watch 480p? Or should I sacrifice one over the other?
When in doubt, go for bigger. That way, you will appreciate watching quality 1080p content. Your TV will also be future proof,
because the resolution of material will only go up in the future.
Mar 11, 2013
10
I have used your size calculator but I am confused. At 10ft distance and 1080p, I get 75 inches. For 720p I get 51.5 inches. If I am
mostly watching 1080i cable broadcasts, should I be considering a 55 inch or 60 inch.
At your distance, you will see artifacts when watching cable at both 55" and 60" sizes. Because you will probably watch 1080p
material from time to time, and the quality of cable will only increase over time, go for the 60" if it is in your budget range.
Dec 16, 2013
10
I am planning to buy a Sony 70 inch smart 3D TV 1080p and sit about 12 feet away. Will 720p broadcasts still look okay on a 70 inch
screen?
You might see compression artifacts from time to time, but overall, it should still look pretty good.
Feb 04, 2014
10
I have a 55 inch LG Google TV 1080p. I am approx. 11.5 feet away. Am I at a good distance for the view?
It is about right, but you could sit a little bit closer when watching 1080p to fully benefit from it.
Feb 23, 2014
10
I am torn between a Samsung H7150 75" (UN75H7150) and the HU8550 UHD 65" (UN75HU8550). If sitting 1112 feet away,
which is optimal? Leaning towards the bigger LED over the smaller UHD model.
As shown by our reviews, the picture quality is the same, so it is only a question of resolution/size/distance. At 12 feet, go for the
bigger 75" instead of the bigger resolution. You will appreciate this more.
Jun 19, 2014
9
Does 24 inch full HD led TV produce the same quality as a 32 inch TV?
If it is the same model, then yes, the quality will be very close. If you are watching a 24" TV from a distance, though, you will not
need 1080p; your eye will not be able to see all the pixels.
Mar 10, 2013
9
I have a long rectangular room, which is 22ft by 12ft and has the TV in one corner. My lounge occupies two thirds of the length of the
room, with the remaining third being the dining table/area. My current TV is an oldstyle 42 inch TV with a thick two inch bezel, but
I am looking to go bigger. I like the 46" with thin bezel, but have found that the outer measurements are exactly the same as my
existing TV, and am therefore thinking that I wont be able to distinguish much difference. The closest sofa to the TV is about five feet
away, and the furthest sofa is 14 feet away. The dining table is 18 feet away, although 90% of the viewing is done in the lounge.
Which size TV is best 46 or 50, given the close proximity of the nearest sofa?
Your closest sofa is really close, but the other one is pretty far. Go for a 50" if it is within your budget. It might be a little too big for
the closest couch, but you will appreciate the bigger size from the other seats.
Feb 05, 2014
8
I am planning on buying a 32 inch TV (Samsung or LG). What is the best option, and at what distance should I sit to get the full
resolution.
Most 32" TVs only have a resolution of 720p instead of 1080p, because at this size you will have to sit very close to notice the 1080p
upgrade. At a resolution of 720p and a size of 32", the closest you can sit without seeing the pixels is 6.2 feet. If you sit farther away
than 11.4 feet, you will only see information similar to that of a 480p source. As for the best TV at that size, you can also use read our
recommendations here.
Dec 26, 2012
8
I am planning on buying a 40 inch LED TV and the viewing distance is five feet. Is it ok?
Yes. This is good.
Jul 29, 2014
7
What do you think would the best choice, considering I will watch both 720P and 1080p video on my TV (Bluray will be in 1080p
but Videotron will be in 720p)? Will it be better to choose 720p and lose the detail in 1080p or to choose the 1080p optimal size but
see the pixels in 720p?
You should use the highest resolution that you will watch. IN your case, 1080p. It is better to see the pixels with lower resolution
media than to lose detail with higher quality media.
Oct 09, 2012
7
I recently bought an LG 42" smart TV and I don't know where to mount it in my studio apartment. I need to know the minimum
height and distance at which to mount it because my options are few.
The closest you should sit to it is six feet. A height of three feet off the floor would be good (although this depends on your sitting
position).
Apr 21, 2014
7
I have a 50" LG and the viewing distance is 1011 feet. Will I notice a difference between 720p and 1080p?
Assuming perfect encoding, no.
May 10, 2014
7
How far should the sitting distance be for a 55in Samsung 4k Ultra HDTV 3840 x 2160 resolution?
If you want to benefit from your 4k resolution, closer than eight feet.
Aug 18, 2014
7
Is it possible for your team of experts to test and show results for the Sony KDL60W630B? This set has almost no usable information
out there beyond what the manufacturer states. I would greatly appreciate the information. Thank you!
Maybe late fall, but it is doubtful that we will have time for it, unfortunately. Considering how good the W600B, W800B and W850B
series are (in their respective price range), the KDL60W630B should also be good.
Sep 02, 2014
7
Please hear me out. Rtings has been incredibly unbiased to date and I greatly respect that, especially in today's society. Please keep
that up for this: Despite previous studies, I honestly believe that I have developed a new breakthrough method to determine the proper
screen size to distance ratio. It essentially proves the studies previously used for this are not entirely accurate in the context of TVs.
Again, please hear me out. I generated an uncompressed image containing a plain pure black background, with a single pure white
pixel in the center of it. I ensured my uncompressed images that I generated were 1920x1080. I then made variations with different
single colored backgrounds and pixels, then other variations with a larger box around the single pixel to help me stay focused on
where it is from father distances. I then displayed these on a 1080p OLED (as close to infinite contrast as possible) and measured how
far away I was when I could no longer detect the pixel. I did this in an average lit setting and in a pitch black room. I had to move
away extremely slowly to stay focused on it, but in all cases, with the exception of the black and white, I was 939% farther away
than what you (and the entire internet for that matter) claim to be the absolute minimum distance in which a human should be able to
detect 1 pixel worth of detail for that particular screen size to distance ratio. I exclude the black screen with white pixel numbers
simply cause our eyes detect the detail differently with black and white than when color is involved. Also, I was able to detect the
single white pixel from significantly farther away than the color on color variants, and was unable to precisely measure that distance
with my tools. I partially attribute my findings to the fact that TV's emit light and our eyes can detect small details better from bright
screens than in other, everyday, less bright situations. I also believe that our eyes are generally slightly better than what previous
studies have found, and that previous studies didn't test enough variations of settings/material. Regardless, the bottom line is that in
all the scenarios I tested, I was able to see a single pixel from farther away than I was supposed to be able to according to the
standards described on this page. If you happen to still have a plasma laying around, or better yet have an OLED in any time soon,
please replicate this test in black and white, colors, dark and typical rooms, with and without a box around the pixel, etc and see for
yourselves. Thank you very much for your time.
This is interesting. The above formula is based on that the average visual acuity needed to discriminate two contours is separated by 1
arc minute. The best example of this is for the letter E, more specifically the 3 branches of the letter. 20/20 vision means that the
average person won't distinguish between those branches when the E letter's height is less than 5 arc minute. Further than that and the
branches just blend in and it looks like a rectangle. This test is a little bit harder than your test. But your test raises an interesting
question, which is to about which test is better suited for a TV? I don't really have an answer to that. And as you pointed out, the
contrast of the TV also has a role to play in this. The lower the contrast, the closer you need to be to see in detail. Anyway, thanks for
sharing. This is a good discussion and you brought in interesting results. Thanks.
Oct 07, 2014
7
I am shocked at how many people do not read the distance/size chart and ask the same questions over and over.
Haha, yes.
Dec 08, 2014
6
I have a 42" plasma TV and I am sitting 10 feet away. Is this correct?
Usually, 42 inch plasmas are 720p. If that is your case, then yes, 10 feet is good.
Feb 15, 2014
6
I just bought a 75 inch Samsung LED smart TV and sitting 11.5 feet away, coming off of a Sony Bravia 46 LCD TV. I am getting
headaches and eye strain. Does this just get taking used to, or did I go too big? Is the LED lighting a difference maker coming off the
LCD, which seems less bright by comparison?
If you can, try to identify what is giving you eye strain. The common causes are: 1) Flickering of the screen. LEDs don't flicker much,
so it is unlikely that this is the issue here. You can try turning off the LED Motion Plus setting, which increases the flickering of the
backlight. 2) The screen is too bright. This can easily be adjusted by reducing the backlight setting of the television. 3) The TV is too
close, but unless you are not used to watching a screen close (like if you do not have a desk job), it is unlikely at that size and
distance.
Mar 01, 2014
6
I just bought the Samsung un55h6350. I have a viewing distance of between 7 and 7.5 ft. Does this sound okay?
Yes, perfect.
Jun 05, 2014
5
Is resolution upscaling really effective for a Full HD TV displaying standard definition TV programs?
No, resolution upscaling is never good. To understand this, you need to think in terms of the amount of information a video contains
(or more specifically, entropy). Resolution that has four times the amount of pixels has a potential of four times the amount of
information (the key here is potential, because if the whole screen is perfectly white, the total amount of information is very small).
Resolution upscaling will always be worse for two reasons:
First, the television cannot create new information. It can only extrapolate from the available information. This means that the
television cannot know what was between two pixels, so it will guess instead. Second, there is a loss of information when upscaling to
match the desired resolution. Unless the scale factor is exactly a whole number (which is almost never the case), some information
will be lost by trying to fit 1 pixel into a fraction. For example, let's say you want to upscale a 1x3 picture (consisting of a white pixel
next to a black one and then a white pixel) into a 1x4. What do you do? The two on the side can be white, but none at the center can
be black without deforming the picture, so it will mostly be gray.
As a side note, this assumes the resolution upscaling is done on frames independently of each other. Technically, you also have access
to information present in the previous and next frames. There is some research done in that field that does look promising, but the
algorithms aren't really effective yet, apart from in very controlled cases.
Jan 09, 2013
5
A week ago I purchased a 65" Samsung UN65HU8550FXZA 4K ULT with 3D and set it up 11' away, as it seemed too big any
closer. From what I read on your site, this may not be optimal, yet we do not want to go bigger, as this TV seems plenty big. Can we
get by with this size/distance ratio for now and decrease the distance to around 9.5' when 4K content hits? Right now we just watch
BluRay movies and some older DVDs, along with sports. I still have the option to return the TV within the next seven days.
Of course you can. It takes a while to get used to a big TV. It will make more sense to have it closer when 4k content hits.
Sep 15, 2014
4
I understand most TV signals are standard definition. Will an HD receiver improve picture quality on my LS4000? I am considering
going to an antenna and would appreciate your thoughts on that.
If you are only watching channels in standard definition, having an HD receiver will not help. An HD receiver will only improve the
quality of signals that are available in HD.
Jan 16, 2013
4
How much bigger is the size of a movie in 1080p HD if its size in avi format is 1GB?
It could be any size. The resolution is not the most important factor in determining video size. The bit rate of the encoding is more
important. A BluRay movie normally has a bit rate of 36Mbit/s, which correspond to about 20GB per full movie. However, a lot of
encoded videos have a lower bit rate.
Aug 05, 2013
4
What is the best distance at which to play games on a 43 inch Samsung Plasma TV HD Ready in order to avoid having vision
problems afterwards?
HD Ready means a resolution of 720p. For a 43 inch TV, a distance between 8 and 15 ft would be good.
Dec 21, 2013
4
I got a 70" Sony LED 3D smart TV. It's about 12 feet or so away. Is the TV too big, and should it be smaller?
No, this is about right. It might feel a bit big at the beginning, but you will get used to it and you won't want to go back to a smaller
one.
Jan 23, 2014
4
I'm just shy of 11' away from my TV and I mostly watch shows at 720p. I do, however, rent Blurays and want to get the best picture
quality. I'm planning to get the 60" H7150. Will that work fine, or would you recommend I get the 55"? The TV mounts above a
fireplace mantel and is angled down.
Get the 60", even if you still watch a lot of 720p shows. You will appreciate the bigger size especially when watching Bluray
movies. The Samsung UN60H7150 is a great choice.
Jun 29, 2014
4
I have 28 inch Sony LED TV and my viewing distance is eight feet. Is this a good distance for watching TV?
This is a bit small/far.
Aug 13, 2014
4
We recently bought a 65" LG Ultra 4k TV. It is the 65UB9500 model. How far should we sit from it? Also, for some reason when we
check the resolution (which is supposed to upgrade to Ultra), we keep seeing 16.9 (1080p) for resolution? Can you explain, as this is
while watching TV, 3D, and Netflix?
If you want a good immersion factor, eight feet would be great. It is normal that it always lists 1080p as the resolution. This is the
input signal resolution, not the TV's native resolution. The TV upscales the signal from 1080p to 4k. The TV will only say 4k when
the signal is really 4k and it doesn't need to do any upscaling.
Sep 17, 2014
4
I am looking at a Vizio D650i and E650i. The D series does not have the clear action feature (smooth motion) but the E series does.
Vizio tech support said I would not notice the difference in fast action or sports broadcast. They both have 120hz refresh rates. The
d650 is $200300 cheaper. Which should I buy?
Both are 60Hz, not 120Hz. They both don't have the motion interpolation feature. The D has fewer inputs and less dimming zones.
Because of this, we expect the picture quality to be slightly inferior in term of uniformity (which wasn't great on the E Series to start
with). If you find the price difference significant, get the cheaper one. As long as you don't have unrealistically high expectations, you
should be happy with it.
Nov 17, 2014
3
I got a 55" Samsung and sit approx nine feet away from the TV. It seems small after I watch it for a while. Most of time I watch 720p
stuff. I am afraid that it's going to be blurry if I go any bigger. Do you think the 55" would be ok for this distance?
Nine feet for a 55" is great, especially if you watch a lot of 720p. Indeed, if you go any closer or bigger, you will see more
imperfections. At the end of the day, though, it is still a personal preference, and you might place more value on the immersion factor
than on the intensity of the details.
Jan 27, 2014
3
What is the optimum viewing distance for a 65 inch Panasonic plasma full HD?
Between nine and 12 feet.
Mar 17, 2014
3
I am planning on a Sony 65 inch LED TV. My viewing distance is 10 feet. Is this ok?
Yes, this is good.
May 07, 2014
3
The TV sizing guide is an excellent tool, but I'm still confused. I sit seven feet from the TV and want to purchase either a 32 or 40
inch Full HDTV. While I will mainly watch HD streaming from Netflix, etc, and BluRay, if I get the 40 inch will I have a problem
with the clarity of SD programs at seven feet? Also, if I was to get the 32 inch, how much less detail am I likely to see with 1080p?
At that distance, you will see the pixels and artifacts with both sizes on SD content. As for the details of 1080p on the 32", you won't
lose much details. You sit relatively close to your TV, so the smaller 32" isn't that bad.
May 13, 2014
3
In terms of picture quality vs size, sitting ~13ft back, would you recommend a 60 inch Samsung F8500 plasma or a 65 inch H7150
LED? They are both the same price and I can't decide if the improved picture quality of the plasma is worth losing the four inches of
screen size.
It depends on your room type. If it is somewhat dark or the viewers are spread around the room, go for the F8500, because the better
picture quality will be more apparent in these scenarios. Otherwise, the H7150 is still very good, so you won't be disappointed with it
either.
Jun 18, 2014
3
Is 65 inches too big for sitting eight feet from a 1080p set? Should I go with 60 instead? I want a fully immersive experience for TV
shows. Will I notice the pixelation?
It is borderline, but it should be ok. The pixelation will depend on the bit rate of the content you are watching. You will definitely see
artifacts on broadcasted HD channels, very few on streaming 1080p, and none with Blurays.
Jul 09, 2014
3
Limited budget, eight to 10 feet viewing distance. I plan to place it on a stand, and TV watching is limited to kids, evening, football.
Size and type of tv? No idea what to buy.
It all depends on your exact budget. At that distance, the budget will be your constraint, not the size. For a good allaround TV, check
out the H6350.
Jul 14, 2014
3
I am right on the verge of the scale for 55inch. I sit 2.3 meters away from the wall I want to mount it on. Seeing as I am at 2.3 meters,
would you recommend a 50 inch or 55 inch?
Very few people regret opting for a bigger screen. It takes a while to get used to it, but after a while, you will want to go even bigger.
Go for the 55" (unless the price difference pushes you to downgrade the picture quality).
Sep 12, 2014
2
We are planning on connecting a 27" iMac to two 60" LED TV's in our church service to project the words for our worship music.
Any drawbacks to using two TVs vs two monitors, which seem to be much more expensive? Max distance from the screens will be
approximately 50'. Font size can be variable, utilizing two lines (Max three) on the screen at a time.
Monitors and TVs are the same (except for plasmas ones). It is just the set of inputs that changes. All TVs now have digital inputs, so
two 60" LED TVs will work just fine.
Aug 19, 2013
2
I am sitting six feet from my TV. I am thinking of getting a 49 or 55 inch 4k TV when they come out. Which size would be best?
Definitely 55". At your distance, you won't notice the difference of 4k with a 49" TV.
Jan 14, 2014
2
Do even the TVs with the highest resolutions have artifacts? I seem to be getting a pulsating effect when looking at dark and light
areas with some low resolution material. My screen is 70" and I am sitting about nine feet from the screen, which is hung on the wall
above head level when sitting down.
Yes. Artifacts are caused by the content compression algorithms when a low bit rate is used. If your content isn't good, it doesn't
matter that you have a high resolution TV; you will see artifacts.
Mar 05, 2014
2
Is a 75" Samsung LED with a viewing distance of nine feet okay?
It is a bit too close. 1011 feet would be better.
Apr 04, 2014
2
Please help me decide between 42" and 46". My viewing distance is 12 feet and most of the content is 420p.
For 420p, you will pretty much see artifacts/pixelization, no matter the size. The question then becomes about the immersion that you
want. To be futureproof, go for the bigger size (assuming it's within your budget).
Apr 11, 2014
2
I bought a 55 inch Samsung LED and just saw an ad for the same TV, but with smart features, which add $100 to the price. Will the
picture be as good on a smart TV?
It will most likely look exactly the same. It is just the software that changes.
Jun 15, 2014
2
Does UHD upscaling help with minimizing the visual effects of compression artifacts? Pondering whether to buy the hu8550 65in or
h7150 75in with a viewing distance of around 810 feet. Thanks for your help!
Not really. If a compression artifact is still visible on a 1080p TV when the noise cancelling algorithms are turned on, it will also
show up on a 4k TV. Having more pixels to map into the low quality footage won't help. For your distance, it is a tough call between
these two TVs, so just go with your gut feeling. You will be happy either way.
Aug 15, 2014
2
Is 40" too small at nine feet, or do you think one could get by ok? Don't want the TV to overtake the room.
If you can afford it, you should go bigger. At first, you might find that the TV overtakes the room, but you will get used to it pretty
quickly.
Oct 13, 2014
2
I am considering buying a Samsung PN60F8500 or PN64F8500 to replace our 55 inch Samsung Plasma. Which would be a better buy
for a viewing distance of 13 feet? The 60 or 64 inch?
Get the 64". For that distance, you can really get big.
Oct 19, 2014
2
We are looking at a Samsung 50" or 55" after viewing an "old school" 32 inch nonHDTV for years. I will be 13 feet away from the
new TV. I know a new 50" will be a sensory delight for some time but will I be wishing I had purchased the 55 inch in a year or two?
I am trying to rationalize the 55 inch purchase to my wife who is concerned it will be way too big. Thank you.
Almost no one regrets buying a bigger TV. Also, normally the bigger the TV, the longer you will wait before buying a new one.
Therefore, if you don't mind the price difference, get the 55".
Dec 01, 2014
1
I'm using a 23inch 1080p 16:9 monitor for my computer. How far should I sit from the monitor so I can get the perfect viewing angle
and pixel density?
Three feet.
Aug 06, 2013
1
I have a 29" Vizio LED 720P TV "1360 x 768" that I use as a work PC Monitor. I work as an internet manager for an large car
dealership. How close is too close to sit to the TV?
Anything closer than 5.6 feet and you will see the pixels of the screen. For a PC monitor, this is quite a low resolution for that size.
That screen was more meant to be watched as a TV from a sofa than to be used as a PC on a desk.
Nov 30, 2013
1
I am planning on installing a 90" (16:9, 1080p) television at 6'9" to center on a tiltdown mount with the use of recliners. What
distance away would be appropriate for this scenario?
12 feet would be great for a 90" in a setup like yours.
Jan 18, 2014
1
I'm planning on buying a 50" LCD HD TV. My viewing distance is approximately 10 ft, or maybe a bit less if needed. Would that be
a good choice?
Check out our top 50" TVs here.
Mar 14, 2014
1
My viewing distance is 10ft. What will be the best size for a TV? 48 inch or 55 inch?
If you can afford it, go for 55".
Jun 17, 2014
1
I bought an LG LED/LCD 60 inch TV. I view it at 11 feet and I started having a headache and feeling motion sickness. Previously I
used a 42 inch and had no problems. I can't go further away. What would be the correct size?
11 feet for a 60" isn't too close, but you might be sensitive to this. First, try to eliminate other possible causes. Lowering the
luminosity of the screen or turning off the soap opera effect (TruMotion setting) will probably help.
Jun 30, 2014
1
I have a 42" Panasonic Plasma TV. My viewing distance is 11.5 Feet away. I watch mostly 720P broadcasted material and 1080P Blu
Ray Content. Should I invest in a larger TV perhaps go 5560" and 4K/Ultra HD? Waiting for a 4K Blu Ray Player...
A bigger TV is definitely an improvement for your setup. However, 4k Bluray don't exist yet and are still far away, so I wouldn't
wait on that. 1080p is more than good enough for your distance and a 55".
Jul 03, 2014
1
Your reviews are the best. I mostly watch 720p broadcasted material and TV/DVD/720P (for whatever is not available in higher
resolution). I am going to continue to watch TV/DVD/720P a lot in the future too. My viewing distance is 11ft. I have a Samsung 46"
H5000 now and the resolution in 720p is terrible. Will a Sony XBR55X850B help me to have a better picture in 720p. and maybe I
can go with a 60"65"? Thanks.
720p broadcast will look terrible on all TVs, but Sony TVs tend to have better/more aggressive upscaling. They also have more
settings to control so you can tweak it to your preferences. Don't expect the picture to look like it has a high bitrate, though. Better
upscaling makes it looks less blurry, but at the cost of more artifacts.
Jul 20, 2014
1
Is 7' ok for a 40" high resolution tv?
You are a little bit far for that size / your TV is a little bit small for your distance.
Aug 04, 2014
1
I am considering a 70 inch Sharp AQUOS Q series 1080p 240hz tv for a living room that is 16 feet deep and 23 feet wide. 45 degree
seating will be as close as seven feet, and straight on seating will be approximately 10 feet. Is this optimal for the dimensions?
Yes, this is really good.
Aug 28, 2014
1
I'm 67 years old and my eyes tend to get tired after spending a lot of time on my 27" iMac. I'm planning, however, on upgrading my
60" HDTV to a 75" Samsung Smart TV (with 3D, which I'll only use occasionally). My wife is afraid of eye strain for both of us, and
we'd be seated anywhere from 1415 feet away. The 60" TV seemed to have "shrunk" over time, and we're hoping that the 75" will be
immersive enough (at that 1415' distance) w/o being a strain on our eyes. Again, I'm a more than a tad concerned that too close will
cause eyestrain, given that our eyes do tire when on the computer for a long time. Any help is greatly appreciated.
There are multiple kinds of eye strains, but two are related to distance and size. The first one is focusing on a close object (something
that you don't need to worry about for a TV, but could affect you on a computer). The second one is the eye moving around. The
bigger your size to distance ratio is, the more your eyes need to move when watching TV. At 15 feet, it shouldn't cause you more
strain to have a 75" than a 60". The field of view is still less than in a normal movie theater, so if you don't have problem there, you
should be fine.
Sep 15, 2014
1
Does buying a Sony 55" 4K TV for a seven to eight feet viewing distance make sense, or would I be better off with a comparably
sized 1080p TV?
It is borderline. As long as you don't expect a huge difference, you can go with 4k.
Oct 24, 2014
1
I have a 40 inch tv, I find it hard to see properly, I want to buy a 55 inch TV but I do not have HD Cable, I've been told I still won't be
able to see the 55 inch any better without HD Cable, is this true?
Yes, it will still be blurry. You really need to have an HD signal.
Nov 03, 2014
1
I am buying a new smart TV and I only have room for a 50 inch screen. I watch Direct TV, Bluray movies, and the kids play games
with their Wii. I don't use 3D, but if it is on the TV, that's ok. The seating is 10 ft. "Excellent picture quality" is a must, like the
Samsung H7150, but they do not make a 50 inch and I will not go smaller. I found the Samsung HU6950, but I would rather not go
4k if I don't have to. Do you have any suggestions? Price must not exceed $1600.00. Thank you for you help.
The choice in the 50" range is rather limited. If you want the best picture quality with the best smart features, get the Samsung
UN50H6400. The picture quality is very similar to the pricier H7150, but it has a more matte screen finish and a slightly worse
uniformity.
Nov 10, 2014
1
I have a space set in where I plan on getting a new TV for the living room. The space is 76 inches wide and nine feet tall. By
dimensions, this could technically accommodate a Samsung UN75H7150 in width. Is there any rule of thumb as to how much
breathing room should surround a TV that size?
Samsung recommends a 4" clearance around all the edges for a good airflow. The UN75H7150 is 65.7" wide, leaving about 5" of
clearance in your 76" space. Therefore, you are good to go!
Nov 11, 2014
1
I just bought a Samsung 50 inch UHD TV. Is six feet away from the TV good?
Yes, this is good for 4k.
Nov 24, 2014
1
I'm considering a 70 inch LED TV. The distance varies depending on where you sit. Someone could sit as close as 5.5 6ft but most
of the time it will be 9 10 ft. Should I consider a little smaller, like 65 in?
That is indeed a little bit too big. Some will like that, but it is not for everyone.
Dec 01, 2014
1
So I've been looking at all the info presented for distances and TVs. From the couch to the wall where my TV is, it's 15ft. What would
be the best TV out of the 85 + inch range?
Unfortunately, we did not test enough TVs in this range to recommend one.
Dec 01, 2014
1
I'm going to get the Samsung UN65HU8550. Our viewing range is 13 Feet. It is a good size for the room?
It is slightly smaller than ideal, but it will feel very big if you are a coming from a small TV.
Dec 02, 2014
1
So it's time for a new TV and I was thinking of getting either the Samsung H7150 or Vizio P552uiB2. Or should I wait for the new
sets? My budget is $1,500.
Unless you really want a 4k TV, get the H7150. It has better picture quality overall.
Jan 07, 2015
1
I was looking at how rich and beautiful my mother's plasma looks. That being said, and given that I can't afford an OLED, should I go
with a Plasma or H7150?
It depends on the amount of light in your room and which plasma TV. If you watch your TV during the day, you will probably prefer
the H7150.
Jan 09, 2015
1
It is 12 feet from the front of the couch to the TV face. Another foot or two more for our actual head position Which do we go by?
Also, we have other seating 30 degrees off axis. Please recommend the best size and brand for the off axis viewing.
Use the distance that your eyes are at, so 14 feet in your situation. At that distance, budget will be your limiting factor. If you have a
30 degrees viewing position, your choice of TV is limited. Look for an LG TV with an IPS panel, like the LB6300 and get the biggest
one you can afford.
Jan 26, 2015
0
Is plasma 46" TV good compared to 46" LED for my room of 16? Plasma is quite economical.
Check out our full article on plasma vs led. If you have a bright room, go for an LED.
Dec 31, 2013
0
I want to buy a 42 inch LED Sony TV, something where my child and myself could sit to watch TV for two hours. Please tell me
what the ideal sitting distance is.
Between six and 10 feet would be good.
Mar 27, 2014
0
How far off the floor do I mount a 75 inch LED?
It depends on your seats. Usually, two feet from the floor is good.
Apr 06, 2014
0
The viewing distance in this particular room is approximately 20 feet. It is not possible to move the seating or the TV. The wall for
the TV can accommodate nothing larger than a 60" screen. Does this mean I should be using a 480p TV?
Not exactly. It means you will not really see a difference between a the picture quality of a DVD and Bluray at that distance and size.
All TVs of 60 inches are at least 1080p, but you can still play lower resolution videos.
Apr 06, 2014
0
I am planning on buying an LG LED 55LB6100. The distance from me would be around 2.4 meters. Looking at your values, it would
be a good distance, but I have been reading about other recommendations (multiplying TV size by 2.5/1.5) which would result in
bigger distances. What would you suggest for TV size?
Our recommendation tends to be on the bigger side, because usually people prefer this. Very few people wish they opted for a smaller
TV. Once they are used to it, most people will always want to go even bigger. Therefore, assuming it is within your budget, go for a
55". After the initial shock, you will like it.
Apr 11, 2014
0
My viewing distance is exactly 11 feet away from the wall, I want to purchase a 78inch 4k TV, but I'm unsure about whether it is too
big for the distance? What are your thoughts? Should i go for a smaller 65inch 4k TV?
It is big, but not too big. A smaller TV wouldn't allow you to benefit from the 4k resolution at that distance.
May 05, 2014
0
Is 11 feet from a 75 inch Samsung LED an OK distance to sit?
Yes, this is perfect.
May 14, 2014
0
My viewing distance is 85" away from my wall. What would be the biggest LED smart TV I should get, 50" or 55"?
50 inch would be good, although there is more choice in the 55" range.
Jun 04, 2014
0
My viewing distance is four feet. What is the best TV size, 28 inch or 32 inch? HD LED or full HD LED?
Go for a 32" full HD 1080p LED.
Jul 02, 2014
0
I'm planning to get a 55" TV. I tried the viewing distance calculator and it suggested eight feet. In your viewing distance table,
though, it suggests 7'4". Which of these is more accurate when it comes to the 30° field of view the 55" TV should take up? Also, the
TV I'm getting is in 3D. Would you recommend sitting closer to or further away in this case?
At eight feet, a 55" TV corresponds to 28°. A 55" gives a 30° field of view at 7'6", so it is very close. 3D is OK at that same distance,
assuming you are not prone to headaches when watching 3D content.
Jul 24, 2014
0
My living room is pretty tight. My couch is about five feet from the TV. Should I get a 43" Samsung plasma 720p or a 37" Sanyo
LED 1080p? (I live abroad and they are about the same price)
Go for the 37" 1080p. At that distance, you really want 1080p, otherwise, you will see a screen door effect on the 720p plasma. That
said, the plasma has better picture quality.
Jul 28, 2014
0
Sitting at eight feet, deciding between Panasonic ZT60 in either 60 or 65 inch. Will be watching a lot of hockey with friends and it
will be the only TV in house, so lots of broadcast shows (720p), but we will still watch a fair amount of 1080 material. What distance
would be best to hit the sweet spot between minimizing artifact with 720p material and appreciating the detail of 1080p material for
1) the 60" 2) the 65".
For broadcasted shows, you will see artifacts with both sizes. Not only is the resolution small (720p or 1080i), but it is highly
compressed. Still, go for the 65" if the price difference is not too big. You will appreciate the added 5," especially in a TV as great as
the ZT60.
Aug 14, 2014
0
Is a 47in with a viewing distance of 6.5 feet from the couch good?
Yes, that is perfect.
Aug 17, 2014
0
Regarding your answer above ("It is borderline but it should be ok. The pixelation will depend on the bit rate of the content you are
watching. You will definitely see artifacts on broadcasted HD channels, very few on streaming 1080p and none on Blurays."): Are
TV's capable of zoomingout ('reducing the image size'), so when an HD (or lower) broadcast is shown one could zoomout, and
avoid the pixelation?
There are different zoom/crop levels, but even then you will see artifacts because the media isn't perfect.
Sep 15, 2014
0
I'm torn between getting a 43 inch 720p or a 51 inch 1080p plasma. I will be watching from 67 feet, but my media will mostly be in
720p (coming from cable box with max resolution at 720p and Playstation 3). Which should I get?
If you don't mind the price difference, get the 51" 1080p plasma. At six feet, you will see a screen door effect on a 43" 720p plasma
TV.
Sep 16, 2014
0
My viewing distance is 7.5ft to 8.5ft. I'm considering upgrading from my current 42" plasma to a 60" Sony (KDL60W630B). Primary
viewing will be 720p broadcast TV shows and sports. Will the 60" be too big?
You will definitely see flaws in the picture due to the low quality content of broadcast TV. But opting for a smaller TV won't really
solve that issue unless you go very small. Therefore, go for the better immersion of the 60".
Oct 01, 2014
0
Is a 78.6 inch 4K TV worth it at a viewing distance of 13 feet or is that too far?
Slightly too far. Either sit closer or get a projector to have a bigger screen.
Oct 14, 2014
0
Is it true that low resolution programs are better viewed on a low resolution TV? Will the ultra HD LED picture quality for low
resolution programs be inferior to watching that content on an HD LED TV?
It depends what you mean by inferior. Technically, it is the same amount of total information. However, the picture will look slightly
softer on a UHD TV. Instead of blocky pixels, it is more of a gradation. Some consider this an inferior picture, others like that it has
less aliasing.
Oct 17, 2014
0
I am concerned about the minimum and maximum viewing distances recommended for a curved screen TV is there a difference
when compared to a conventional flat screen with the same definition? For example, the Samsung 55" HU8500 vs 55" HU7500.
No difference in term of distance. That said, if you are directly in front of it, the curved screen is better because your angle with the
edges is better (which results in less loss of color saturation).
Oct 17, 2014
0
Which TV would you recommend for a viewing distance of about 12 feet, I am torn between a 65" or 70". I watch a lot of sports and
movies. Is a 4k TV worth it at that distance?
4k isn't really worth it at that distance / size. You are better off saving money and getting a 1080p TV instead. It depends on your
budget, but a TV like the Samsung UN65H7150 should be great.
Nov 10, 2014
0
We are looking to purchase a 70". The table it will sit on is 30" high and the viewing distance is 15 ft. Based on what I'm seeing that
should be OK?
It is ok. You are a bit far, though.
Nov 19, 2014
0
Our ancient 27 inch tube TV (+/ 20 yrs old) was fried in a recent power surge. We are very behind the times on TV shopping! We do
not play video games and we do not have cable or satellite TV. We watch a few programs on TV along with DVDs, and I guess
eventually we may watch streaming content. The room is not very bright; it only gets the morning sun and we rarely watch TV during
the day. The viewing distance would be about 7.5 to 8 feet straight on, but my husband sometimes sits in a chair off to the side, closer
to the TV and at a 4045 degree angle. I am considering a Samsung PN51F5300 and the LG 50PB6650. It seems that either of these
would suit the situation but 50 and 51 inches feel huge to us! I am trying to decide if I would be foolish to buy a 720p and/or slightly
smaller set, and what factors based on my TV usage would suggest I lean towards the LG or Samsung 1080p sets above.
Coming from an old small CRT TV, you will have quite a shock. The first thing that you will notice is that everything will now be
blurry, because the quality of your current signal/content is quite low. It wasn't a problem on your old TV due to its size and low
resolution. You can minimize that impact by going for a smaller / lower resolution TV, like a 43" 720p plasma. We didn't test that LG
TV, so we can't comment on it. That Samsung plasma is great though. The only real downside is the glare, but you should already be
used to this since you are coming from a CRT
Nov 20, 2014
0
We are designing a new house that we will move into in 2016. In the current plans, the viewing distance from the main sofa to the TV
is 8' 10". Directly behind the sofa is a casual dining table that is 5' 5" square and we'll sometimes watch a bit from there. The max
viewing distance from the farthest dining chair is 14'3". Are these distances good for TV viewing? We'll be moving in 2016 and are
happy to make an investment in the best TV for the next 10 years. Should we go for 4K Ultra HD, and if so, what size?
A 60"65" TV should be good in your situation. Not too big for the sofa position, but big enough for the table. As for the 4k, it is not
really necessary, but if you plan on keeping your TV for 10 years, you might want to go for it.
Nov 20, 2014
0
My viewing distance varies between 913' (depending on sitting location). My budget can only afford a 55" or 60" TV, neither of
which offers optimal viewing. Is it worth going with the 60"? I plan on purchasing the Samsung 6350 series.
As long as it doesn't stretch out your budget too much that you will regret it, yes, it is worth it.
Nov 25, 2014
0
I am in the market for a plasma TV. I am debating between the 720p and 1080p models. Most of the content I will be viewing (over
the air broadcasts, regular HD NetFlix, DVDs) is 720p or lower content. Will it be a waste of money to purchase a 1080p model?
Picture qualitywise, you won't see a big difference. However, 720p plasma TVs create a screen door effect if you sit somewhat close.
Nov 29, 2014
0
We are upgrading to a 75 inch TV and have looked at the H7150 and H6350. Based on the holiday sales, there is a difference in price
of about $700. How important is the 240 hz speed, which I understand is the only real difference between the models? This is used by
the family, and sports account for about 10 percent of our viewing.
The refresh rate doesn't matter. The motion blur is the same on both. The h7150 has a better screen finish (less ambient reflections,
but more glossy), a better uniformity, 3D, and a fancy remote. These aren't really worth $700 (unless you really want the best, of
course, or don't mind the price). Therefore, get the cheaper one instead. It is great.
Nov 29, 2014
0
Trying to decide between a 75" h7150 and the 64" f8500. Is the increase in size worth the decrease in quality? I don't care about price
and sit about 1012 ft away.
It is a pretty big size difference, with the 75" presenting a 37% larger area. But at the same time, these are completely different TVs
and both are great. The H7150 wins in a bright room. The F8500 has a better picture quality in a dark room, especially in terms of
uniformity. If you just want the best picture quality, get the F8500. But for most people, the picture quality on the H7150 is more than
good enough, which means the extra 10" wins.
Dec 01, 2014
0
I was looking at the Samsung 55 inch Model: UN55HU6830FXZA at Best Buy. It's 4k 55 inch, but with a refresh rate of 60hz.
What's the minimum refresh rate needed for a 4k tv?
There is no minimum refresh rate needed for 4k. A 60Hz TV just means it doesn't have the motion interpolation feature.
Dec 01, 2014
0
Our viewing range is 1415 feet at the furthest, and 10 on the sides. I don't want to go bigger than a 55" for the space it will taking up
on the wall. Would 50" be too small?
It is a little bit small, but if you are used to even smaller, you won't mind it.
Dec 01, 2014
0
We are planning to substitute a 3000 lumens video projector for one or two big TV flat screens for church application. We show
lyrics, PowerPoint, and videos from a computer. Min View Distance will be + 15ft, Max View Distance will be 65 ft. Decision to
change from video projector to TV is based on luminosity on a big glass window environment (much light) and bulb maintenance
costs. Any suggestions?
Get the biggest you can afford. LED TVs can't get as big as a projector, but you are right that they will be brighter. The Samsung
UN75H6350 should be good for you.
Dec 02, 2014
0
The viewing distance is between 9 and 12 feet (two different sofas). I am looking for a 6570" 4K 3D LED. What is the best option
among: Samsung UN65HU8550, Sharp LC70UD1U and Sony XBR65X850B, all in the range of 2.7 and 2.9K? Is Samsung the best
option?
We didn't test that Sony and Sharp, so we can't really compare them accurately. That said, the Sony 65" X850B has an IPS panel,
which means the picture will look significantly different than the other two: a better color accuracy at an angle, but worse blacks. If
you need a wide viewing angle, it is the best choice. Otherwise, the Samsung UN65HU8550 is really great.
Jan 19, 2015
0
My viewing distance is about 7.5 feet from the TV. I want to purchase the 75 inch Samsung hu8550. If I read the chart correctly, it is
worth it at 7.5 feet and a 75 inch screen to opt for the 4k set, correct?
Yes.
Jan 20, 2015
0
How about recommended viewing distance for programming that's 4k AND 3D? Thinking of a 65" TV, so for normal 4K I might sit
7"8" away, but when it's 4K and 3D I'm not sure. 4K tends to require you to sit closer, but 3D is the opposite, so optimal viewing
distances seems to conflict when both are in play at the same time. I've not come across a viewing distance calculator that takes both
into account, so you can offer some advice on optimal viewing distance?
Unless it gives you a headache to sit too close while watching 3D, there shouldn't be a difference here in the recommended viewing
distance. Of course, ultimately, it comes down to your own preference.
Feb 06, 2015
0
In an open floor plan, our viewing distance is 1112 feet at the sofa and 22 feet from the kitchen island and dining area. Would a 75"
or 85" 4K TV be better?
At 85", you'll just barely see the benefit of 4k from your couch, but you won't notice a difference at all from your dining area. You
could easily get an 85" 1080p TV and not really notice the difference in resolution. At those distances, regardless of the resolution
your TV ends up having, you should opt for 85" over 75".
Feb 09, 2015
0
Is a 70" TV too big for a 7'6" viewing distance?
Yes, that is quite big for the distance. It would be similar to sitting in the first 1/3 of the cinema. You'll likely be more comfortable
with something smaller. For a 1080p TV, something around 55" would be perfect, and a bit bigger than that if you opt for a 4k TV.
Mar 09, 2015
0
I'm in a small living room (size 14x11), so my viewing distance would be around 8 10 feet. I'm planning on getting a 65" curved
TV, the UN65HU9000. Is this a good size for a curved TV? Also, any suggestion as to whether I should get a curved or flat TV in a
small living room?
65" is good for 910 feet, but is a bit big for anything closer than that. There's no real reason to get a curved TV. It doesn't really add
anything to the experience, so you'd mostly be paying for the novelty. It also doesn't really have any big downsides, apart from a
slightly reduced viewing angle.
Mar 12, 2015
0
My TV room is 20' long and 17' wide. I currently have a 55" projection TV that I am looking to replace. My seating for the new TV I
am looking to purchase will be 18' away and 7 1/2' high at the middle of the TV, wallmounted. According to your chart for a 1080p
TV, I would need a TV above 75". We mostly watch cable in HD and watch DVDs. The TV will also be used for video game
consoles. My budget is somewhat open, but not unlimited. What would you suggest?
Your best bet is the Samsung UN75J6300. It has good picture overall picture quality, including little motion blur, and it also has low
input lag. That means it's suitable for gaming. It also does a good job of upscaling lowresolution media, so DVDs and cable will look
good.
Apr 27, 2015
0
I am moving into an apartment that has a 17'x12' living/kitchen area. With the couch I will be moving in, I would have somewhere
between 79 feet of space between the couch and TV. I'm a little confused by the calculator. I'll be using my TV for Netflix and
maybe DVD watching (not Bluray). I found a 48" Samsung 720p TV in my budget, but also a 40" Samsung 1080p that's cheaper.
Which one would be the best TV?
Get the 40" 1080p TV. For that distance, you'd ideally want something a bit bigger, but you'd actually be closer than ideal for a 720p
TV, so the 48" option isn't a great choice.
Jun 29, 2015
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7/4/2015 TV Size to Distance Calculator and Science

32" 27.9" 15.7" 437 in2

37" 32.2" 18.1" 585 in2

50" 43.6" 24.5" 1068 in2

55" 47.9" 27" 1293 in2

60" 52.3" 29.4" 1538 in2

65" 56.7" 31.9" 1805 in2

70" 61.1" 34.4" 2102 in2

75" 65.4" 36.8" 2407 in2

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