Page 9 - 2013 LDN Home Improvement Magazine

2013 HOME IMPROVEMENT MAGAZINE. LINCOLN DAILY NEWS.com May 1, 2013
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arrangements or lighting conditions, based on
the time of day.
Find the optimal viewing distance
The best quality equipment can leave you
disappointed if you aren’t watching from the
optimal viewing position. Sitting too close to
a large-screen “FULL HD” TV can make the
picture appear grainy. Too far, and you’ll lose
the immersive feeling a big screen provides.
Opinions vary on what’s the best distance
fromwhich to view a screen. According to Brian
Markwalter, senior vice president of research
& standards for the Consumer Electronics
Association (CEA), a simple way to calculate
the optimal viewing distance is to multiply the
diagonal size of your TV by
two or three. “That number
will tell you how many inches
you should sit away from the
screen for the best possible
picture. Remember, though,
to measure from the screen
to the point where your eyes
would be, not the back or
front of the furniture you’ll be
sitting on,” he says.
Keep in mind that in addition to the size of
the screen, the resolution will affect your
calculations. “Generally speaking,” Markwalter
says, “you’ll want to sit farther away from a
larger screen, but if it has a higher resolution
you can sit closer.” For example, a “4K” TV like
LG’s 84-inch Ultra HD TV offers four times the
resolution of typical HDTVs, meaning more
detail, so viewers get a crisp, clear picture from
as close as five feet. If you want a large screen
in a small space, an Ultra HD TV is an ideal
solution.
Take care of sound quality
Campbell advises that, while
you may love the look of your
hardwoods and hate to cover
up the view from the picture
window, bare floors, walls and
windows can make your home
theater sound as if it has an echo
or the sound is too sharp and
bright. On the other hand, if the
room is heavily padded with
wall-to-wall carpeting, heavy drapes and lots
of cushioned furniture, you may think sound
seems muffled. A mixture of different surfaces
and materials can help ensure the best sound
quality.
“Position the center speaker channel in the
center of the screen, either above, below or
directly behind. Additional surround-sound
speakers should be placed around the room - to
the side, above or even behind the audience,”
explains Campbell.
With a good-quality TV and some proper
space planning, you can ensure your home
theater delivers the best viewing experience
possible.
[BrandPoint]