At what distance is it safe to watch TV: indicators for different diagonals

When choosing a new TV, the question often arises: how far away should it be placed to ensure comfortable viewing and not strain your eyes. The choice of the optimal distance depends on the diagonal of the screen, the resolution of the TV, the characteristics of the viewers' vision, and even the spatial capabilities of the room.

OBOZ.UA has collected expert recommendations that will help you find a balance between image quality and viewing convenience for different screen sizes.

Why distance is important

A few years ago, determining the ideal distance for a TV was much more relevant, since when viewed up close, you could see individual pixels. Modern TVs, including 4K models, allow you to sit closer to the screen without losing quality. So now you can enjoy the details of the image on the big screen even in small rooms.

For 4K TVs, the ideal viewing distance is approximately 1-1.5 times the screen diagonal. This means that for a 65-inch TV, you should sit at a distance of 1.98 meters. This approach allows the viewer to fully immerse themselves in the events on the screen while avoiding excessive eye strain.

Experts recommend that for normal viewing, the TV should occupy about 30 degrees of your field of view, while for cinemas it should be up to 40 degrees. To achieve this, it's important to correctly position the TV relative to where you usually watch content.

Distance for watching matches

It is also worth considering the peculiarities of watching sports programs: for this purpose, you can sit a little further away to more conveniently follow the dynamics of events. If your room serves as a home theater, pay attention to the SMPTE and THX recommendations for a 40-degree viewing angle.

How about Full HD

For TVs with Full HD resolution, the ideal distance should be slightly larger – about 1.5-2.5 times the screen diagonal. This will help to avoid the pixel structure of the display being visible, providing the viewer with a better picture quality.

Finally, remember that the ideal distances are calculated for one viewer sitting directly in front of the TV. In most cases, the room does not allow each viewer to find the ideal viewing position, so try to organize the space as conveniently as possible for everyone.

So, the distance recommendations are just general guidelines that can be adapted to your own needs and the possibilities of your interior. Ultimately, the choice of settings in your home theater depends on personal preference.

How to protect your child's eyesight while watching TV

Experts say that the wrong distance from the screen can lead to the development of myopia and other vision problems. As a rule, it is recommended that children watch the screen at least three diagonals of the TV. That is, if the screen diagonal is 32 inches, then the optimal distance to the sofa is about 2.5 meters. The larger the screen, the greater the distance should be.

Why is distance so important?

When a child looks at a screen at close range, the eye muscles are constantly tense, which can lead to fatigue and the development of myopia.

In addition to distance, room lighting plays an important role. Soft, diffused light is ideal. You should avoid bright light that reflects off the screen and darkness that causes your eyes to strain.

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