How to Choose The Best Home Theater Screen Size

One of the most commonly asked questions we get is, how big should my screen be? Well, the answer is usually, as big as you can make it! If you want watching a movie at home to be the same type of fully immersive experience you get in a movie theater, the screen needs to fill up a good part of your field of vision. There are two groups that lead the charge in specifying what should be the proper viewing distance. One is the Society of Motion Picture and Theater Engineers, called SMPTE, and the other is THX - a Lucasfilm standard set. For a 16:9 screen, SMPTE recommends a 30 degree viewing angle from the screen while THX suggests a 36 degree viewing angle. Increasing the viewing angle translates to sitting closer to the screen.

[bruasGT]

Bruce here. Audiophile, cinema major, and home theater installer for 22 years. The SIMPLEST way to know what like: hold both hands out in front of you. Next spread your finger snout wide side to side. Keeping them stretched, touch your thumbs together. 2 hands wide, or 2 hands plus about one fist width will ALMOST ALWAYS be what you prefer. Try it, I dare you. Do it in your favorite movie theater seat to "calibrate" your hand/ equipment. It works really well. No measuring, no math.

[strobez]

I went from a 33 degree viewing angle, to a 41, and now a 51 degree viewing angle. There's no going smaller for me now that I experienced 51 degree viewing angle. It is just so much more immersive, I love it.

[grandviewlodge]

Thanks for all the good tips! I want to get a really big screen and now I know how to choose the right size for my room

[sonicchill]

Having personally owned some of the best screens in the world.. this video is right on point!
Good job!

[BusyDadsWorkshop]

Great info. Will have to keep this one for reference. I am in the process of still building the stud walls for our basement Theater.

[MFFM]

after watching your videos, now I am educated professionally, thank you for the excellent work

[danielseguin]

Congratulations for this short, focused, and clear video. Makes it easy to plan the screen size with the suggested ratios.

[dlcphoto]

Excellent overview, with very practical advice - very helpful!

[Triggaaar]

I agree with the point at the start of the video: "The answer is usually, as big as you can make it"

Therefore I don't agree with the 36 and 48 degree viewing angles suggested.

[stephanarizona]

Most websites give horrible advise, in my 12x12 theater room I believe only 75" was recommend, I have 120" screen with a laser projector and it looks amazing, everyone that comes over says the same thing that a 75" would have been way to small and that 120" is perfect for the room and movies.

[PaulSodipo]

such a beautiful presentation for starter like me

[sergiobarrena]

Hello very informative. What size screen are you using for the demo at the beginning from 16x9 to 2:40? Thank you

[shervinaryan]

If you already dont, you should seriously open up an academy to teach future business owners nationally on everything Home Theatre related.. amazing content.

[shanejohnson]

This is great information. Thanks for providing these tips!

[imaxk]

This was some great information. Thank you very much!

[Srikzquest]

Your tool should have an option for AT screen as well.

[WaelElazab]

Thanknyou, that is a great video - but doesn't resolution factor in - in terms of viewing distance / screen size ?

[RBBBBBBBBB]

All this is great & really appreciate the inputs. However I hate projectors and the typical black dungeon type rooms. As extra large screen OLED / LED technologies become more accessible (cost), I believe Projectors will eventually die out.

[EverythingHomeTheater]

Good info and exciting "algebra"!

[sonictechnologies]

sir please can you tell me if there are any differences if I'm using a large LED screen instead of a projector with a pixel pitch of 1.6mm