Ep. 13 - What Projector or TV size screen do you need? | Ultimate Home Theater| Home Theater Gurus

[@gabemartinez1012]

This helps, a lot of people talk about speakers, receivers and subwoofers but never explain the immersiness of what the screen can do. I sit 8.5 away from my 70'' and i dont feel the immersive experience when lights go off lol

[@hometheatergurus]

Yep it is one of those things people just don't realize. That we can actually calculate what feels immersive.

[@ffdfdfdfdfdfdfdf]

nice man so if i put my iphone x right infront of my face i dont need a projector or OLED TV this video just saved me £7000 quid

[@hometheatergurus]

You're welcome! 😁

[@MikkoRantalainen]

Just make sure you're wearing your reading glasses or you get lots of eye-straing for having to focus so close. Having to keep your eyes nearly cross-eyed will make your eye muscles sore until those muscles get stronger with training but that shouldn't make your eyes sore once you've done that for a while. Focusing close for long periods of time is always going to make your eyes hurt, though. The rule I use is that the distance from the screen should be equal to diagonal size of the screen. That should put the field of view near 47 degrees. Slightly wider than THX spec but still nice to watch. I currently use a 75" TV and seating is around 45 degree position. Pretty good experience for 3 to 4 seats in a single row. Also note that to get any visible improvement from 4K to 8K step that TV manufacturers are keen to sell you, you'd need to have seats so close that your viewing distance would be half the screen diagonal and that really doesn't make any sense. Ergo, there's no need for 8K screens. We just need higher bitrates for 4K video so that we don't get compression artefacts. If you don't trust me, read this page by people that sell laser eye surgeries: www.lasikmd.com/blog/can-the-human-eye-see-in-8k

[@MikkoRantalainen]

You basically want something like this: www.aliexpress.com/item/4000620747855.html Note that those things splits your screen into two areas so you don't need to stay cross-eyed but that also reduces your resolution in half. So you need 4K screen in your phone to have equivalent of Full HD resolution horizontally. Vertically the resolution is native 4K so it will look better than Full HD image assuming the lenses your phone holder has are good enough.

[@bigdreams5554]

Another great video! You really deserve a lot more subs. Thanks you for sharing your knowledge with us!! Getting projector envy with all these great videos. Will have to make due with the flat panel tv for now :)

[@hometheatergurus]

Thanks Bigdreams!

[@ricosplace1]

Sensitivity to fast motion comes into play for a lot of us too.

[@hometheatergurus]

Yep. That's another good reason to pay attention to viewing angles.

[@paulvail7926]

Just a quick addition to an excellent video. If anyone is really confused about what size they may like, instead of buying a screen, they should go ahead and buy the projector first if they can. Then, set the projector on a table and shine it on the wall (or a white sheet) and try some different sizes until you find the one you like the most. I actually took a couple of lawn chairs over to one of my client's homes while it was under construction and had them both sit about 9' away from a 134" diagonal setup. This is a lot larger than a typical screen size setup, but they were very happy with the size overall. From that point on, we framed in a acoustically transparent screen area specifically for that screen size and finished building the theater space. This is the beauty of trying out a projector for a screen size ahead of time. With all the emphasis on how there is no 'wrong way' to do things and how personal preference is key, you can really get a grip on how things will look by just plugging it in and trying things out. All you need it your projector (or a borrowed one), a laptop with wifi (or a phone with a HDMI adapter), and a HDMI cable and extension cord to wherever power is. Keep up the solid videos!

[@hometheatergurus]

Thanks and a very good point!

[@steffengerlach8395]

Hi HTG! Love your channel! Learned so much! This series is really great! Thank you so much Truly appreciated. Keep up the good job! Greetings from overseas!

[@arsenalfan1776]

THX screen size recommendations are rideculous. Way to small.

[@faysalusman]

I plan to install an acoustically transparent screen with a 235:1 format. My front wall is 13ft wide and i plan to have a 12ft wide screen. My front speaker width is 18inches. My sitting distance would be 10-12 feet. I plan on using spandex and the max fabric width is 60 inches. Considering these measurements my front speaker placement should be; behind the main screen or outside. In case of outside placement, i have to reduce the width of the screen to may be 10ft. Or what ideal screen diagonal size for a 235:1 format should i opt for if placing fronts outside the viewing area is the most ideal setup.

[@sprint110]

Great explanation! What angle do you personally prefer for 16:9 and 2.35:1?

[@JunkerDC]

I just messuered I set 13 feet back from a 150in but most of the movies i watch are in scope with masking and some times I wish it was bigger on scope but i guess it just right for that size I glad I know now I just guessed on how big to make the screen in the past

[@hometheatergurus]

Sounds like you hit the nail on the head!!!

[@evilawkeye2215]

@Home Cinema Guru another great video 🙌 love how your explanation breaks it down.

[@obico12]

Have you considered looking at the vertical viewing angle? Me personally, I feel great watching a 40degrees scope content but feel uncomfortable with 40degrees 16:9. Especially during closeup scenes, faces are simply too tall. Thats why I’m leaning towards the scope screen, to have constant image height of my preference. Only disandvantage is the Imax or variable aspect ratio movies you mentioned in another video.

[@hometheatergurus]

For scope screens you'll ideally go larger than 16:9 in width but the same height. Basically adding to the sides of a 40-45 degree 16:9 which brings scope into the realm of 55-58 degrees wide. 16:9 in that case isn't smaller. Some do just like small screens. There's those that sit in the nosebleeds at the theater. I spec what the majority find immersive but comfortable but that doesn't fit everyone.

[@obico12]

Its also interesting what I found that the positioning of the screen has a huge impact for me. If my eyes are at the dead center level of the image then its much more enjoyable especially for Imax scenes, compared to watching “from below”, then faces seem to tower above be. Its of course difficult to position it to the center above a certain size, your recommendation of putting it “above reclined feet” make sense. I’ve also figured it is nice to reposition the image to the bottom part of the screen with lens memory when watching scope on 16:9, and use one big masking panel or curtain for the top part.

[@garypranzo9334]

I always like the front seats in a theater when people I am with will allow.

[@therealrayy7k]

At 10ft viewing distance to get 60degree separation between L and R speaker we would need 11.5 feet between both speakers. My room is only 11.25ft wide, is it safe to say I would be better off going with something like a 44 degree separation, which would leave me at around 8 feet total. How can anyone ever get a 60 degree separation at any of your recommend viewing angle while also using LCR located behind the screen? Is it possible? My trig is rusty

[@adamkubasik8706]

So I have a very small 9.5’x9.5’ room , according to your calculations if I sat 9’ away at roughly 45degree angle I could have a 102” screen )realistically 100” screen) my question is would my projector not be far enough back to fill the 100” screen? I was gifted a cheaper projector for Christmas it’s a Hompow projector model c-10..16.9 ratio and the throw it says is 50-300” screen at 5.41-18.4’ of throw I just don’t really understand this stuff , I was also gifted a 100” screen would my projector being 9’ away be able to cover that screen? Sorry for the long question I appreciate all the help and awesome video !

[@diluxe]

Learnt so much watching your vids 👍

[@joves3407]

Great video, mate!

[@toddrayne6553]

Maybe I missed it in the video. Do we have formula for a scope screen?

[@hometheatergurus]

Scope screens I default to 50 degrees but unless you're a movies only (older movies) that only use scope they make little sense. They make all other formats small and directors now use ratio changes to alter the mood of a scenes. Scope screens ignore that aspect and you loose the directors intent.

[@aldoburbank]

Are there any tools online that will provide all these measurements in a floor planning software app? I recall seeing one on a retailer's site. I don't recall the site unfortunately.

[@hometheatergurus]

Hey Aldo, None i know of use modal analysis to place seats and subs so be careful with on line programs but I do all of my room designs manually in VISIO.

[@Sir-IKON]

I was gifted a cheap orca projector that supports 1080- but is only native 800x480 and it has a 100 inch screen. like you I want to play video games but I love watching horror movies and my kids Disney . My question is. what is optimal distance for viewing that will also give me the best visual given the native resolution?

[@willie9397]

Anyone know where I can get a 3417 inch television or maybe my math is wrong?

[@hometheatergurus]

Yeah I'd say something is off. 😁

[@TyEichele]

Thanks for this! Helps greatly!

[@amcmac111]

I don’t understand viewing angles vs listening angles. I want to do an acoustic screen. How do you put speakers behind an AT screen when the speakers are supposed to be 53-60 degrees apart and the screen is supposed to be 40-50 degrees wide.

[@hometheatergurus]

Sounds like you understand perfectly. Mains almost never go behind the screen unless it's crazy wide in angle. If you've seen all of my videos I hit this often. Mains go where they go and the screen needs to be comfortable therefore the mains will almost always be outside of the screen.

[@amcmac111]

Thank you. I have watched your videos and I have learned so much. Because of them I’ll be hitting you up about purchasing some gear from you

[@hometheatergurus]

@@amcmac111 thanks.. I'm glad you've found them helpful!

[@virtuazoso]

Home Theater Gurus If I end up sitting 12 feet from a 135” 16:9, and therefore would have the L and R flanking, would you still recommend going with an AT screen to have the center in line with the LR? Or would image gains from a normal screen benefit greater (in which case I’m guessing the center would go below the screen? Or just take some audio loss and be still set inline and behind?)

[@LDBaha]

What is the viewing angle on the front seat at the theater? There is no way it's 50 degrees it has to be like 60. I seem to be ok with 63 degree viewing angle for a Scope screen. For 16:9 the height is what gets me and not the width.

[@hometheatergurus]

Depends on the theater but the front row is over 60.

[@LDBaha]

@@hometheatergurus I figured it was over 60. I don't hate it but don't love it either. I did my calculations wrong and I sit at 51 degrees and that doesn't wear me out at all. It's surprising how much this can vary from person to person. Thank you so much for all your videos

[@hometheatergurus]

@@LDBaha Yeah it is very much personal preference. As I design I have to look at it from a view point of I need to ensure it's immersive but not fatiguing for the masses as most don't know what angle they like and many find 16:9 fatiguing once you approach 50 degrees but there are exceptions .

[@LDBaha]

@@hometheatergurus I know someone that sits 7.5 maybe 8ft from a 16:9 135” screen - yikes!!

[@AP-qu8sl]

We like a house but there’s no dedicated media room in that house. However, there’s a bedroom which is 15 by 13. Will that be enough for a media room? What is recommended, a TV or a projector? I would prefer a projector but am afraid the size is too small for that.

[@hometheatergurus]

Sure it could work. It would be harder to place the seats as the modes are closer but it can be Done. Done right it can be very nice. If room modes place you closer than 9' away from the screen you're getting into TV territory. Farther than that I'd definitely use a projector.

[@AP-qu8sl]

Home Theater Gurus ty for your reply. What are modes?

[@hometheatergurus]

@@AP-qu8sl check out episode 11.

[@james-in2ps]

my theater is 12x15'4" with a 142" screen works for me

[@AP-qu8sl]

@@james-in2ps great thanks Any input on best home theater speakers setup?

[@fabiozagoo]

Sorry but could not understand very well, I sit about 8.8ft from TV of 55', what is the formula to know the ideal size? Because on the internet i found a table according to the content resolution vs distance for compare and not lose sharpness by being too close to the screen.

[@hometheatergurus]

This isnt resolution based but imersive based. 1080 is fine at these viewing angles. THX recommends 40 degrees. But as I mention in the video it's personal preference. From your distance 40 degrees would require a TV around 85-86" diagonal.

[@MidnightMagic]

Fabio Zago the formula is in the video 1. Measure distance away from screen in feet 2. Convert distance to inches. 3. distance X 0.84 (40°) or 0.95 (45°) or 1.07 (50°) = recommend diagonal screen size And for metric it's 1. Measure distance away from screen 2. distance X 0.84 (40°) or 0.95 (45°) or 1.07 (50°) = recommend diagonal screen size 3. To convert metric screen size to inches it's, recommend diagonal screen size (cm) ÷ 2.54 = screen size in inches. And if you already have a tv and want to see what viewing angle you prefer just do the sum backwards. Say you have a 65 inch screen 65 ÷ 0.84 (40°) or 0.95 (45°) or 1.07 (50°) = seating distance for viewing angle in inches (X 2.54 for inches to cm) Hope that makes it easier for you

[@paulvail7926]

If you are 8.8 feet away, then your TV should be about 88" for a 40 degree viewing angle. If you are stuck with the 55 inch TV, then you should be about 5.5 feet away from it for a 40 degree viewing angle. Not all people like that much immersion for just watching TV, so it's more common to be sitting about where you are for normal television. But, for movies, you are certainly missing out with that size. LG has an 86" TV in the USA for under $2,500!

[@MidnightMagic]

here is a simple formula you can use 16:9 TV Viewing Distance / Viewing Angle Diagonal measurement × 2.472 corresponds to a 20° viewing angle Diagonal measurement × 1.963 corresponds to a 25° viewing angle Diagonal measurement × 1.625 corresponds to a 30° viewing angle (SMPTE Farthest Recommend) Diagonal measurement × 1.381 corresponds to a 35° viewing angle Diagonal measurement × 1.1981 corresponds to a 40° viewing angle (THX Recommend) Diagonal measurement × 1.053 corresponds to a 45° viewing angle Diagonal measurement × 0.935 corresponds to a 50° viewing angle

[@giannisigirlis7149]

Congrats on your home theater series, highly informative! if i have a large room with a 65' TV is there any way to place my HT front speakers BEHIND my tv using some kind of acoustic treatment??

[@hometheatergurus]

Thanks. Unfortunately not if you want good sound. If you found a way to do both you'd be a rich man!

[@giannisigirlis7149]

@@hometheatergurus maybe if i mount my TV way up in the ceiling, inclined towards my viewing area, leaving my LCR speaker's twitters pointing straight to my ears? or i'll still have unwanted reflections from my TV?

[@deeteepeafore]

I get that you can have an immersive experience watching an 85 in television. but, are you saying that, 8.5 ft away from an 85 in TV would yield the same experience as sitting 12 ft away from a 120 in screen?

[@hometheatergurus]

I'm saying the viewing angle is the same.

[@albur]

it's not the same experience, i have an 85" tv and a 110" pj screen at the same vieweng angle and the experience is not the same. Same way that the experience with 110" pj screen and a giant cinema screen in a cinema. The distance to the screen gives more prespective, you can test it with a monitor and the tv if you have both.

[@pietpompies7381]

Thanks mate.

[@harta_1509]

Sorry my room is w 13, L 26 ,h15. What size do you guys preferred? And 16:9 or 2.35.1? Thanks

[@hometheatergurus]

If you watch the video screen size is based on seating distance not room size. The video will walk you through my recommended screen size.

[@danielj.glowny4108]

Do I hear you saying 69 for 16 by 9 ?

[@hometheatergurus]

There's no telling.. I definitely may have had a slip.. 😁

[@MrSuperman258401]

1st, and shared