Choosing the right TV/screen size for a home cinema

A good rule of thumb is to base the screen size on your seating distance. A simple formula is to divide your viewing distance by between 1.5 to 2.5. As we're talking about home cinemas here, you're going to want to go bigger, so divide your distance by 1.5 as a starting point.

• Small room (180-240 cm viewing distance): 120-160 cm screen (~50-65 inch screens)
• Medium room (240-300 cm viewing distance): 160-200 cm screen (~65-80 inch screens)
• Large room (300-360 cm viewing distance): 200-240 cm screen (~80-100+ inch screens)

For a true cinematic experience, projectors with a 254 cm (100-inch) screen or larger might seem ideal, but ensure your room has enough wall space, that you can sit far enough back to avoid a sore neck and have suitable lighting control to immerse yourself.

• 4K Ultra HD: For most home cinemas, 4K resolution is now the standard. It offers excellent clarity, especially on larger screens, allowing you to sit closer without seeing pixelation
• HDR (high dynamic range): HDR enhances contrast and the range of colours, making images appear more lifelike, particularly in darker or brighter scenes
• OLED vs LED/LCD: OLED displays provide deeper blacks and superior contrast ratios, ideal for darker rooms. LED or QLED TVs are brighter and perform better in well-lit spaces

• Surround sound: A 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound system greatly enhances immersion, with strategically placed speakers delivering audio from multiple directions
• Soundbars: For smaller rooms or more streamlined setups, soundbars can significantly improve audio compared to standard TV speakers
• Room acoustics: Consider improving acoustics with curtains, carpets, or acoustic panels to reduce echoes and enhance sound quality

Controlling the light in your room is vital, especially for projector-based setups. Blackout curtains or dimmable lighting will help create the right atmosphere. Additionally, LED backlighting behind TVs can reduce eye strain and add ambience to the space.

Comfortable seating is key for enjoying your home cinema. Ensure seats are spaced properly from the screen to prevent neck strain, and consider reclining options for longer viewing sessions.

Creating the perfect home cinema is about finding the right balance between screen size, picture quality, audio performance, and room ambience. Match your screen size to the room's dimensions, invest in quality sound, and control the lighting for an optimal viewing experience.