Home Theater Forum and Systems banner

How close do you sit to your video display?

15K views 79 replies 62 participants last post by  rgordonpf 
#1 · (Edited)
Interested in what the average distance people view their video displays from.

To keep the information uniform please list in the following manner:

Display Type: example Projector / TV
Display Size: example 60"
Viewing Distance: example 10'


I personally have the following
Display Type: projector
Display Size: 100"
Viewing Distance: 10'







So far the survey has resulted in the following. Ironically no one has posted the same size display. Hoping to get enough input to create a generally recommended viewing distance based on display size based off of actual user data.

Projectors

Size Distance
92 12 / 9
100 10 / 12
106 10 / 12
120 12 / 14 / 11
134 14


TVs

Size Distance
40 9
42 12 / 12
50 15 / 8 / 9 / 7 / 10 / 10
52 9
54 10
55 11 / 11
58 7 / 6.5
60 7 / 12 / 12 / 12
61 8
64 8
65 9 / 13 / 10 / 8.5
67 13
70 10
73 8 / 11
75 12.5
82 12
 
See less See more
#35 ·
*Updated Stats*
 
#37 ·
12' from a 92" 16x9 Draper Cineperm screen. Panasonic PT-AX100U projector.
 
#43 ·
*updated*
 
#49 ·
When i read this post i thought...hmmm I wonder how he stretched that screen another 6 inches...:D
 
#47 · (Edited)
My HT setup is also my 2 channel setup so I've setup primarily for 2 channel audio rather than optimum viewing distance for my 47" display. In other words, I sit too far from my screen given its screen size.

Here's a really cool link that calculates how close you should be sitting for your given display size and how big the screen needs to be given your current seating distance.


http://myhometheater.homestead.com/viewingdistancecalculator.html#anchor_13194
 
#50 ·
Interested in what the average distance people view their video displays from.

To keep the information uniform please list in the following manner:

Display Type: example Projector / TV
Display Size: example 60"
Viewing Distance: example 10'



So far the survey has resulted in the following. Hoping to get enough input to create a generally recommended viewing distance based on display size based off of actual user data.

Projectors

Size Distance
92 12 / 9
100 10 / 12 / 11
106 10 / 12
120 12 / 14 / 11
134 14


TVs

Size Distance
40 9 / 11
42 12 / 12
46 10
50 15 / 8 / 9 / 7 / 10 / 10 / 12
52 9 / 11
54 10
55 11 / 11
58 7 / 6.5
60 7 / 12 / 12 / 12
61 8
64 8
65 9 / 13 / 10 / 8.5
67 13
70 10
73 8 / 11
75 12.5
82 12
*Updated* Anyone know (administrators?) why the option to edit my header post in the thread is no longer available.
 
#51 ·
Thinking about replacing fixed 120 inch Stewart firehawk with 130 inch acoustical transparent screen. I currently sit about 14 ft back from 120 inch screen. I will lose about 2 ft building false wall to hide LCR plus 2 subs. So viewing distance will be approx 12 ft as screen wall is 2 ft closer. This is probably too close for 130 inch screen. Not sure yet
 
#52 ·
Here's a quick and dirty visual guide of screen size verses viewing distance. Like I said in my previous post, I sit too far away from my display to see even 1080p

 
#53 ·
Thanks for that chart. I feel better about my 17' (and a touch) viewing distance to a 92" screen. Acoustically transparent is a bit of a misnomer, IMO (wanted my screen a good 5' behind my speakers). I confess a touch of envy of those with mammoth screens (and/or closer seating), but I'm also quite delighted with my far from ideal video setup. Apparently, I'm too far away for 4K to matter. That comes as something of a relief - will help keep that dreaded temptation to upgrade at bay. Even my aging eyes see the benefits of 1080p quite clearly. It's funny when I think back to how large I thought our first 25" TV was.:laugh:
 
#55 ·
This is very encouraging news as I thought my projector would need to be set back a few feet. If you are happy with 135 inch screen at 12 ft then my 130 inch should be a walk in the park. I will be upgrading my projector as well. Can you tell me what projector you are using?
 
#57 ·
I hope I didn't mislead you but the projector its self is 17 feet away from the screen. You can you the calculator for and projector on there websites. I have theater recliners in the back and a couch in the front. Riser is 1 foot tall. My 16:9 screen is about 22 from the floor. And heads seldom get in the way. Only when people sit very straight up. ( not very often). When matching the wider aspect ratio blu rays I never have a prob.

Projection screen Stage Display device Event Technology




Room Property Lighting Projection screen Ceiling
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top