How to Choose Screen Size by Room Size
Choosing the right viewing screen size for a room makes watching entertainment a more comfortable experience. Screens that are too large or small for a room may cause neck and eye soreness after prolonged viewing periods. Sizing the screen according to the space available in the room creates a proportional viewing distance that is easier to see without strain. Create a media room that is inviting and relaxing by selecting a screen that is just the right size.
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Instructions
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Set up the seating in the room the way you plan to have it when the screen is being viewed. The amount of space and way you move through a room will help you find the best location for couches and chairs in relation to where the screen will be.
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Measure the distance from the proposed location of the screen to your eyes when you are seated comfortably in the viewing chair or couch. Add the distance of several positions within the room then divide by the total number of positions to get a viewing distance average for that room.
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Divide the average viewing distance of the room in inches by two to get a median screen size. Divide the viewing distance by three for the minimum size that will work and by one and a half to get the maximum comfortable screen size. For example, a 50-inch screen would be about the right size when the viewing distance is around 100 inches away.
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Consider if the majority of the video entertainment that you will be viewing on the screen will be in the square 4:3 aspect ratio, like basic television, or the 16:9 widescreen ratio available on DVD and HD television programming. The 4:3 ratio limits the size of the viewing area on a screen. Increase the screen size by about 25 percent to achieve similar video size if the majority of the video will be in the square 4:3 format. To raise a number by 25 percent multiply it by 1.25.
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Tips & Warnings
Choose a screen as close to the calculated number as you are able to afford. Scoot chairs and couches in a few inches until the video size is comfortable for your eyes.
Avoid being sold a larger screen than you need by knowing the appropriate screen size for the room and sticking to the plan.
References
- Photo Credit Hotel lobby with a couch and two armchairs at night image by Alexey Stiop from Fotolia.com
