Have you ever browsed the big-screen TV section at any major electronic store, paused to enjoy the immersive experience, only to wistfully ponder that you couldn’t indulge in one due to your living situation in a modest apartment, where the square footage seems inadequate for justifying the presence of a big TV in a small living room?
You’d be glad to know that this whole logic of “I have modest space therefore I cannot have a big-screen TV” is a myth. Hear us out.
Big TV for small living room
The typical size of a small living room in an HDB flat, based on the size of the living-dining construction module, is about 12 sqm (3x4m) or 130 sq ft.
An ergonomically comfortable sofa has a depth between cosy 75cm to roomy 90cm (or extravagant 115cm even).
That leaves a room of two to three metres between you and your TV depending on the room layout. Now, based on this, how big is the TV that you can get?
Answer: pretty big.
TV two-thirds rule
“As a general rule, we recommend the height of the TV to be two-thirds of the distance between the TV and your viewing position,” says Lionel Lim, Assistant Marketing Manager at Sony Singapore. So, yes, two-to-three-metre distance is more than enough to get some of that big-screen magic.
Sony’s BRAVIA TV Series, for instance, needs just one-metre distance for its 55” TV, while its breathtakingly cinematic 85” needs only 1.6 metre, which nicely fits a typical living room of a four-bedroom HDB flat.
Big 4K TVs for small rooms
But, will staring at the screen so close damage your eyes? You’re probably thinking about the times when your parents scolded you for staring at the screen in close range.
Staring at the screen for too long can, indeed, cause eye strains. But this was prevalent when the TV technology was at its sophomore stage, whose constant brightness quickly wore out your eyes and its colours separated into red-blue-green pixels when you watched too closely.
“Today’s 4K TVs with enhanced resolution keep pictures sharp and smooth, even when sitting close to the screen or watching larger screens,” says Lionel.
TV lighting optimisation
On conventional TVs, brightness stays the same regardless of light in a room, resulting in pictures that are too dark or bright.
Sony’s ambient optimisation technology features an embedded light sensor that automatically adjusts picture brightness to room conditions, boosting brightness in light rooms and reducing it in dark ones, so you get the perfect view.
Sound optimisation
Sound experience can change depending on your room environment. Soft furnishings, like curtains or wall panel, absorb sounds.
Objects in front of the TV can also compromise the quality of the sound that reaches your ears. Sony’s ambient optimisation technology detects objects and reproduces sound optimised for the room.
Big TV budget
Now, the all-important question: how much should you spend on a big-screen TV? It is essential to set a budget and seeking the best TV to fit it.
“The good news is, big-screen TV prices have been decreasing in recent year, thanks to more people buying them, so a 75” TV will not deal that much damage to your wallet today,” shares Lionel.
On the other hand, Lionel highlights that it is also critical to make a good investment on your large-screen TV.
“Factors like picture quality, sound performance, and user experience should rank at the top of your criteria.” he says. “There is really no point going for the largest and cheapest 75” TV in the shop, just to end up with a subpar large screen with poor clarity and dull contrast.”
Smart Android TV
Running on Android TV platform (with over 7,000 apps available) with X1™ 4K HDR Picture Processor, Acoustic Multi-Audio technology and beautiful minimalistic design, Sony’s BRAVIA TV checks all the boxes.
So the next time you walk past a Sony’s BRAVIA TV in your favourite electronic store, pause and imagine having that in your living room.
Brought to you by Sony in September 2020.
Brought to you by Sony.