Curved televisions are, along with Ultra HD, among the great innovations of recent years in the audiovisual field. But concretely, what do they bring compared to flat screen televisions? Here is how the experience provided by a curved screen differs from that provided by a flat screen, when watching films, series or even when playing games!
1. Curved TVs, what are they?
The interest of the curved television
Because it is curved, this type of screen allows the eye to be always at the same distance from the image, both in the center and at the edges. When the screen size is not very large, even if it is panoramic, this difference in distance is negligible, but when the diagonal of a television exceeds 55 inches (139.7 cm), this difference becomes significant enough to become noticeable.
To focus, the viewer is forced to constantly adjust their vision as their gaze sweeps across the image to the sides, which is mandatory with flat screens. This results in discomfort and visual fatigue that can affect the visual experience.
The advantage of curved tv
We do not always realize it, but it is for the same reason that in cinemas, very large screens are also curved in order to avoid this inconvenience.
On a television equipped with a curved screen , the eye is much less stressed during viewing, so we can better observe the image in its entirety, embrace a scene in its entirety and thus enjoy a stronger immersive experience, like in the room.
For the same reason, the elliptical shape of the curved screen, since it tilts the edges of the screen slightly towards the viewer, provides better viewing angles. This is all the more useful as the screen is very large.
Another virtue of the curved screen is that it avoids many reflections when its panel is not matte. The slight curvature of the screen “breaks” any shards of stray light, the bright areas of the room that could be reflected there.
2. Flat TVs also have advantages
The flat screen is the most common type of screen. They are simpler and less expensive to produce, especially since manufacturers have mastered their manufacture for longer than curved screens, of recent design. This naturally affects the price of the material.
Compared to the curved one, a television equipped with a flat screen also has the advantage, when you want to fix it on a wall, of fitting its surface perfectly, like a painting.
A curved television will necessarily take up a little more volume in depth if it is fixed to the wall.
However, it is important to point out that such a type of wall installation is still possible with a curved model.
The risk of visual fatigue mentioned above is also amplified with flat screens, by the fact that to avoid reflections, it is often necessary to increase the brightness, or to make the room dark.
3. How to choose?
A matter of screen size
Below 55 inches , it is in your best interest to choose a flat screen, because the viewing angle is not a problem when you are placed at the right distance. For a centrally located viewer, this difference in distance from the edges of the image is not significant. Moreover, curved models are rare in this size category, even if we begin to find some curved televisions from 40 inches (101.6 centimeters).
On the other hand, from 55 inches, one can legitimately ask the question when choosing. Indeed, when you want to equip yourself with a very large screen, it is to take advantage of the immersion brought by the large format. Even if it means investing in the top of the range, choosing a curved screen will put all the advantages on your side by optimizing the immersive experience.
Curved computer monitor
However, there is an exception in the case of a panoramic computer screen.
As we stand much closer to such a screen than to a television, the eye has to travel further to scan the entire image, especially when it is very wide.
With respect to the observer, the difference in distance between the center of the screen and its edges is in this case, proportionally, much more significant.
In this case, even with a format below 40 inches, we can take advantage of the additional comfort provided by the curved screen, both for video games and for office use, image editing, editing video, etc
Go upscale
Finally, the curved screen being synonymous with top of the range, the televisions equipped with it also benefit from the most advanced technologies and options of the moment. Opting for a curved screen means in most cases accessing Ultra HD HDR and being sure that you can also enjoy Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and good quality sound.
5. Summing it up
Benefits of a curved TV
- Interesting from 55 inches
- Breaks up stray light shards from the room
- Reduces eye strain
- Better immersion
- A better viewing angle
- Price above average
Benefits of a flat TV
- Interesting when below 55 inches
- Easy to mount on a wall
- Lower price than a curved TV
You now know the advantages of the curved screen compared to the flat screen but also its disadvantages! It is up to you to make your choice.