Question of the Month #6

We’ve reached the end of June and it’s now the time again to answer a question for you about TVs. With our wide range of televisions, we offer you the right solution for your home. You’ve probably seen our range of curved TVs and you might have wondered if one is right for you. After having discussed how TV has changed over the decades, this month we’re talking about the great TV achievement that is the curved screen – and give you an overview of both pros and cons.

So, should you get a curved TV?

‘Should I Get a Curved TV?’

Wider Field of View

Consider your position in front of the TV. If you draw straight lines from the position of your head to the edges of a flat screen TV and do the same with a same-size curved TV, you’ll notice that focusing on the same spot on both televisions will give you a different point of view.

With a curved TV, the image seems to stretch further across where the TV is sat, even with the screens being the same size. Colours tend to lose saturation and have reduced contrast when you’re not sitting directly in from of the screen. With curved TVs, however, the edges of images are turned towards off-axis viewing positions, which greatly reduces the issue.

Sharpness

Another positive attribute of curved TVs is how their curved shape track the natural shape of the eyes much better than a flat screen TV can. A lot of commercial cinemas use curved screens for this reason, as the bigger the screen the more your eyes are likely to notice a reduction in clarity at the edges of a flat screen.

Immersion

Curved TVs look bigger than flat screen ones, and the slightly forward curve of the image gives you the feeling that what you’re watching ‘wraps around you’. The curve on the TVs makes it so that the image enters slightly into your peripheral vision, which draws you in into what you’re watching.

CONS

Aesthetics

A flat screen television will look great against a wall, particularly if they’re very thin. A curved TV, however, will stick out and look awkward when hung up. These TVs are also a bit bulkier on the back, which will result in you having to think about where it’ll fit the best.

Reflections

Curved screens work similarly to a trick mirror at a fun park; shaped glass can be strange for reflections, particularly if there’s anything bright in the room directly pointed towards the television. The reflections become distorted and stretched, which will lead you to have to introduce some light control elements or strategically place your lighting.

Television Size

If you’re looking for a small screen TV, curved televisions might not be the best solution for you. How effective the curved angle will be is reliant on the size of the television. With smaller screens, you can more easily notice that you need to sit directly opposite from the TV, in the sweet spot, and at a perfect distance to fully enjoy the depth and immersiveness enhancements.