Design

THX Viewing Distance Calculator for Home Theatre Projectors

13 August 2015 · Scott Davies · 1 min read

Quite often we are asked by our customers "What size projector screen should I install in my home theatre?"

Well THX have some guidelines to help determine the ideal screen size from a set seating position. They say the ideal viewing angle should be 40 Degrees to the screen and at a minimum, it can be 28 Degrees. Now you may ask how am I suppose to work out the viewing angle?

Well the simple answer is you do not have to anymore as we have developed a simple to use calculator which will work out the ideal viewing distance according to the THX standards. All you have to do is enter in your desired screen size and it will instantly show you the results.

This is based on a 16:9 Resolution Screen.

Frequently asked questions

How far should I sit from a projector screen?

THX suggests a viewing angle of about 36 degrees, roughly a seating distance of 1.2x the screen width. SMPTE's more relaxed 30 degrees is about 1.5x the width. Our screen size calculator does the maths.

Can I sit too close to a projector screen?

Yes, too close and you may see pixel structure or screen texture, and you'll have to move your head to follow the action.

Do screen gain and room light matter?

Yes, in a light-controlled room a standard white screen looks best; in rooms with some light, a higher-gain or grey screen helps contrast. We can advise on the right screen.

What about projector throw distance?

Each projector has a throw ratio that sets how far it must be from the screen for a given image width. Check the throw ratio against your room, or ask us and we'll match it.

Put this into practice

Get a system matched to your room and budget, or talk it through with a specialist.

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