TV viewing Height?

[therock003]

I have heard so far about the THX recommended specs for distance from the TV based on Monitor inches, but what about the Height? It seems to me that the furniture I've put my TV on places it a little high, and i might not be getting maximum effect. If I'm not mistaken, your eyesight level should be at the center of the TV right? Mine is like something a little higher than the base (where its standing) so i have to tilt my heading. Although most of the time, i lie on the side on my side, and i think the head is naturally tilted upwards.

What's your take on all this?

[fritzi93]

Center screen at the height of your eyes when seated is probably best. It feels more natural and engaging that way.

That said, sometimes you have to compromise. Mine is wall mounted about a foot higher to clear all my gear. I have it tilted down slightly to compensate and can see my reflection dead center if a light is on behind me in viewing position of ~ 8 feet from the 65" TV.

I haven't noticed any fatigue or discomfort having mine that way, but I wouldn't want it any higher.

When I read posts in the AVS forum by people intending to mount their TVs above a fireplace, I'm incredulous. Bad idea on two counts, maybe more. But perhaps that's the best they could do.

[sanlyn]

Try an OmniMount device. Multidirectional swivel and tilt, mounts on an extensible arm. Yeah, they're not cheap, built like something for an Army tank. Several models: http://www.omnimount.com/products/tv_wall_mounts/interactive/play40ds/

I designed a wall cabinet platform for it, had a carpenter build it. Some years back the wife had someone build an 18-inch deep tv/bookshelf/storage wall unit that defies use as an a/v cabinet (the damn thing is screwed to the living room wall to keep it from falling forward). The center TV cavern wasn't too deep for the old 32" CRT, but how do you mount a 37" LCD in that huge hole without having it buried 18 inches inside? Take a 2x12 finished board, screw it to the front edge of the cavernous hole, then take a thick 2x6 upright board and bolt it to the inner edge of the platform and secure it in back with an angle iron. Mount the Omnimount on the upright plank. The swivel arm lets the TV swing in all directions and even lets us pull the TV forward and angle it toward the dining table, or out and down while I'm vegging out on the sofa.

Pain in the neck. Works like a charm.

Thank heavens the plasma in another room doesn't require all that hassle.

[Cornucopia]

Unless there are extremely special circumstances, TV screen center should ALWAYS be head height (seated or standing, depending upon the location), or possibly slightly lower. More than just a few degrees higher, or a little more lower, and you will get neck & back strain & headaches, fatigue, etc. Not good at all.

Regarding THX guidelines, it needs to be a balance between optimal visual accuity (which takes into account both screen size, pixel size/pitch, and distance) and peripheral panorama/viewing angle (which takes into account screen size & AR and distance). And those 2 work in inverse directions (sharper accuity occurs further away, making the panorama less, and vice-versa). That's one area where I'm excited about the new 4k/8k UHD TVs coming out - they should finally allow both accuity & panorama to be at "optimal" levels for direct TV (non-projection) in the home.

Scott

[jagabo]

http://www.thx.com/consumer/home-entertainment/home-theater/hdtv-set-up/