Q. You wrote recently about how far you should sit from a 4K TV. Okay, how about a High-Definition TV. Can you tell us that, too? — Tommy, Deale, Maryland.
Tommy, yes I did, and it’s caused considerable controversy. Many people think I’ve advocated sitting closer to a 4K TV than you should. But Sony, and many other industry officials, agree with me. (You can read the article here and decide for yourself.)
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So, what about a High-Definition TV, you ask? Where should you sit when you are watching just a regular old HDTV?
Well, I used Sony’s guide for where to position yourself for 4K so I might as well use Sony for high-def, too.
According to Sony, you should sit three times the vertical size of the HDTV screen, which translates to the following:
22-Inch HDTV — 31 inches away (2.59 feet)
26-inch HDTV — 39 inches away (3.25 feet)
32-inch HDTV — 47 inches away (3.92 feet)
40-inch HDTV — 59 inches away (4.92 feet)
46-inch HDTV — 67 inches away (5.58 feet)
50-inch HDTV — 75 inches away (6.25 feet)
55-inch HDTV — 83 inches away (6.92 feet)
60-inch HDTV — 90 inches away (7.55 feet)
At those distances, Sony says you will best experience the high-def picture without straining your eyes, and your noggin.
Happy Viewing!
Have a question about new TV technologies? Send it to The TV Answer Man at swann@tvpredictions.com. Please include your first name and hometown in your message.
— Phillip Swann
