How to choose the right TV for your living room
Choosing a new TV for your living room is a big decision. There are so many options that it can be overwhelming. Of course, you want a TV that will provide the best possible viewing experience for you and your household. But there are always other things to consider: budget, space, sound quality, and resolution. One easy decision, though, is to get a TV with Dolby. Dolby is in most major brands and with all kinds of makes and models to choose from you’re sure to find one that is right for you.
First, think about how you’ll be using it. This could be watching cable television, films, using streaming services, watching live or recorded music concerts, gaming, or a mix. TVs enabled with both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos will provide an unforgettable visual and audio experience. Gamers, who need to quickly react to audio to get a competitive edge, will benefit from a set with both Dolby Vision® and Dolby Atmos®. So will music fans who want to immerse themselves in the music when they watch their favourite band or artist take the stage. A TV with content in Dolby Vision gives you mind-popping colours that will let you catch every detail. If you are looking for an even more immersive experience, pair the set with a Dolby Atmos speaker setup or soundbar for the ultimate audiovisual experience with sound that dances all around.
Next, think about where you’ll be putting your TV. Will you be watching in your living room with the whole family? Or will it be in your bedroom? If you are going to be sharing it with others, it’s important to consider what is important to them. Whether they’re gamers, music connoisseurs, or film buffs, there’s a Dolby-enabled TV everyone can enjoy.
Think about the viewing environment too. If your room has a lot of light, an LED screen’s brightness will help level out the excess light. If you have a darker viewing environment, you may want to consider an OLED screen. OLED TVs don’t get as bright as LEDs, but offer terrific black levels and contrast, giving you the full benefit of the brighter brights and darker darks that come with Dolby Vision. In either case, LED or OLED, Dolby Vision will give you a premium visual experience.
Choosing the right size TV is important. You don’t want to overwhelm your space with a TV that’s too big, but you also don’t want to get a TV that’s too small.
Mounting Heights
Mounting height for sitting demos TVS is 58" on centre |
Mounting height for standard shelving, pedestals, cabinetry is 42" |
Mounting height for wall mounted speaker demos (sitting) is 48" |
Distance from the TV to sofa
Screen Size 1080p HDTVs 1.5-2.5 times screen diagonal: |
Screen Size 4K HDTVs 1 – 1.5 times screen diagonal: |
40” --> 5.0 – 8.3 feet |
40” --> 3.3 – 5.0 feet |
43” --> 5.4 – 9 feet |
43” --> 3.6 – 5.4 feet |
50” --> 6.3 – 10 feet |
50” --> 4.2 – 6.3 feet |
55” --> 6.9 – 11.5 feet |
55” --> 4.6 – 6.9 feet |
60” --> 7.5 – 12.3 feet |
60” --> 5.0 – 7.5 feet |
65” --> 8.1 – 13.5 feet |
65” --> 5.4 – 8.1 feet |
70” --> 8.75 – 14.6 feet |
70” --> 5.8 – 8.75 feet |
75” --> 9.4 – 15.6 feet |
75” --> 6.3 – 9.4 feet |
80” --> 10.0 – 16.7 feet |
80” --> 6.7 – 10.0 feet |
85” --> 10.6 – 17.7 feet |
85” --> 7.1 – 10.6 feet |
Now that we have the recommended measurements we can get the perfect set up. But, how do you know what size is the right fit for your space? Let’s take a look at the different size rooms we may be dealing with.
If you are unsure of what size room you have, use our interactive guide to find out the right size TV for you and your space. Whichever size TV you decide on, it’s a good idea to measure your space and have a look at the TV in person. These guidelines can help, but everyone has their own preferences. Whichever size you choose, Dolby Vision means you’ll have a picture that comes alive with phenomenal frame-by-frame quality.
To truly experience your content the way the creators intended, look for the Dolby Vision badge to unlock the full potential of your entertainment. For an even richer experience, look for a TV enabled with Dolby Atmos — or add a soundbar with Dolby Atmos. Dolby lets you go from just hearing and seeing to feeling. It’s a night and day difference.
For more information on how you can get the most out of your home entertainment setup with your new TV, check out our handy setup guide.