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Curved screen or straight, which is better? Does it make sense to buy a TV with a curved screen? You need to be in the right position for the best viewing experience

In the modern world, a new movement has recently appeared - curved smartphones, monitors, and televisions. Today we will talk about the advantages and disadvantages of the latter two, namely curved TVs and monitors.

Is a curved screen a marketing ploy or a real advantage?

This question first arises for a person who has ever thought about purchasing a curved TV. You will find out the answer by reading the entire article. I myself am the owner of a large curved 34" Samsung SE790C monitor, so this article will consist of 50% of my personal experience, and 50% of theoretical justifications.

I won’t bother you with all the details and tell you the technical features of crooked screens, that’s not what you came here for, right? So let’s get straight to the point and consider what advantages curved screens have.

1. Reduce screen glare

You can’t argue with physics - thanks to the curved surface, the angle of reflection of light rays changes, which in turn significantly reduces the amount of glare. Notice what I'm saying reduces but doesn't completely remove it.

2. Wide viewing angle


One of the main advantages of a curved screen is the viewing angles. Sitting directly in front of the screen in the middle, you continue to see the edges at approximately the same angle as the central part. This has a positive effect on the quality of the picture, because you see it without color distortion.

3. Visual sense of screen width

An interesting fact is that a curved screen feels wider than the same screen, but flat. This is primarily due to the geometry of the viewing angle. To understand what we are talking about, look at the picture below:

4. Curved screen is stylish

Yes, it didn’t seem like it to you - I said stylishly. If this (suddenly) matters to you, then know that the curved TV screen will not leave anyone indifferent. This is a fairly recent trend so far, so get ready to listen to a lot of enthusiastic exclamations from friends

Disadvantages of a curved screen

Now let's see what disadvantages curved screens and monitors have.

1. Price

Perhaps the main and most important disadvantage of monitors and TVs with curved screens is their high cost. They cost incredible amounts of money compared to flat screens. And if, when buying, for example, a monitor, you want to save money, then know that a curved screen will not allow you to do this.

2. The ideal viewpoint is only in the middle

The curved screen shows all its charms under one condition: you sit directly in front of it. Neither from the side, nor from above, and no, not from below Namely before him. Therefore, if you and your whole family like to watch movies “who, where and from where”, then know that ideal viewing angles will only be when you are in the middle of the screen; for others, on the contrary, viewing angles will be greatly reduced and the picture will be distorted:

Results and conclusions

With curved screens, everything turns out to be ambiguous - on the one hand, there are advantages, but on the other, they are not so significant. Watching a curved TV with the whole family, for example, will only be comfortable while hugging in front of the screen (isn't this an obvious plus?).

The ideal option is a curved monitor for a computer, where it is initially assumed that one person will sit behind it, and even in the middle.

As I said at the beginning of the article, I am the proud owner of a Samsung SE790C 34" curved monitor - its photo is in the title of the article. And I can only say one thing - a curved monitor is very, very comfortable, but over time you get so used to it that then you simply don’t perceive this very curvature. At all. Understanding how cool and convenient your monitor is only comes when you sit down at someone else’s regular large flat monitor

Well, I’ve already said everything about curved TVs - look again at all the advantages and disadvantages, and decide how significant they are for you. Considering the exorbitantly high price of curved screens and such minor advantages, we can say that curvature is more of a marketing ploy than a real advantage. However, I do not regret at all that I became the owner of a curved monitor

These are the advantages and disadvantages for a curved TV and monitor - I hope you found the answer to your question. And if you haven’t found it, welcome to the comments, I’ll answer any questions you have.

Friends! Don’t get lost, subscribe to updates on site articles. For me this is the best gratitude for my work

Details Questions and answers

In this article we will try to find out how effective a curved TV screen is, the benefits of which are so actively promoted by the world's leading manufacturers Samsung and LG today. And is the now fashionable original shape worth paying a third more for it than for a flat panel with similar characteristics. We will make a decision by analyzing how important the qualities that marketers talk about are for the average viewer.

So, what are the revolutionary features of a curved screen TV, and the pros and cons of this new technology? Let's start with the advantages.

  1. The effect of immersion in the plot .

Thanks to the concavity of the panel, the so-called “cinema effect” actually occurs, when not only a person’s direct vision is activated, but also peripheral vision.

  1. Wider viewing angles .

This parameter is critical for LCD TVs, which are not advisable to watch at sharp angles, since the brightness and color saturation of individual areas of the image are noticeably reduced. The curved panel seems to surround the viewer, so in fact he looks at all its sections strictly straight.

  1. Anti-glare properties.

Theoretically, the revolutionary shaped screen produces less glare, as its curvature scatters side light more effectively. But under certain conditions, it can, like a concave mirror, direct scattered rays exactly to the point where the viewer is located.

  1. Image depth.

Marketers claim that the image on a concave TV, even without 3D support, seems three-dimensional. Physiologists confirm the possibility of a sensation of depth, but it is so insignificant that most viewers simply do not notice it.

  1. Aesthetic appeal.

Curved TV receivers are still exotic, so they additionally perform image functions, automatically raising the status of their owner.


Now a little about the disadvantages.

  1. Geometric distortions.

Almost all viewers note the presence of the so-called “bow tie” effect, in which the image near the side edges of a curved TV appears somewhat stretched in comparison with the central part of the screen. Also, many people notice a slight curvature of long straight lines or a running text line.

  1. High price.

Models with flat panels today cost about 30% less than curved ones with equal functionality and manufacturability.

  1. Problems with wall mounting.

Given the unusual shape of the screen, users often encounter difficulties when hanging them on walls. Although manufacturing companies produce special mounts, they still recommend installation on horizontal surfaces. In addition, a curved TV on a flat wall does not look entirely organic.

2013 is the year of breakthrough in the flat-screen TV markets. Fans of new technologies, cutting-edge technology and innovative inventions have been waiting for this unusual monitor with a curved screen.

Curved screen technology has been talked about for the last 10 years, but it was relatively recently that this idea was brought to life. Only the leading monitor manufacturers annually release a series of concave TVs. Not everyone can purchase such “know-how” due to inflated prices. Although today they are already much lower than in 2013. Today the picture is as follows: of the TV models produced in 2015-2016, about half are OLED monitors (concave inwards). This applies, of course, to the leading manufacturers - Samsung and LG.

Despite their high cost, curved screen TVs sell very well. What this is connected with is not entirely clear. Is it because of its characteristics and advantages over flat models, or is it simply a matter of fashion. Let's look at the pros and cons of concave monitors.

Pros of a curved screen TV

Marketers and advertisers have come up with many slogans that arouse strong interest and desire to buy a fashionable TV. Naturally, half of the stated advantages are greatly embellished. Let's look at the main advantages of a TV with a curved screen.

  • An undoubted advantage is immersive effect. Of course, it's much better than watching a flat-screen TV. The secret is that a monitor with a concave screen makes your brain work better. Peripheral vision is activated and a realistic effect is created.
  • High Contrast. Manufacturers of concave TVs have achieved such an arrangement of pixels that they are much better perceived by the human eye. The light from the monitor is focused onto the viewer, and the picture becomes much richer.
  • Curved screens create depth effect. When sitting in front of the TV, it seems that the programs being watched are in 3D format.
  • With concave TV field of view increases. The curves of the monitor give the feeling of a larger picture. This plus allows you to see and enjoy the smallest details in the image, which is impossible with a regular flat-screen TV. Especially the field of view is incredibly deep and clear with the Ultra HD function (very high definition image transmission).
  • Image Sharpness. Curved edges are designed specifically for the human eye. The viewing angles are made in such a way that the picture on this monitor is super clear.
  • And, of course, it’s a plus to include the prestige of such a TV. It looks incredibly fashionable and modern. Suitable for any interior.

So, all the advantages of a concave TV mean that watching movies on such a monitor is a real pleasure. You can enjoy clear, incredibly realistic images.

Cons of a curved screen TV

When choosing a TV, you should take into account all the pros and cons, and carefully consider the characteristics and price-quality ratio. Let's look at the disadvantages of a TV with a curved screen.

  • This TV is incredibly overpriced.. Of course, compared to the first models, the price has dropped noticeably, but it is difficult for the average buyer to purchase such a gadget.
  • Many who have purchased such a TV claim that the image is noticeably distorted if the viewing angle is changed.
  • The big disadvantage of a concave monitor is the need to constantly look at the picture strictly in the center. Only in this position is the absence of glare, reflections and other distortions guaranteed. Having purchased such a TV, it will be impossible, for example, to collect toys around the room and watch your favorite program in full clarity and contrast. The image will be reflected and distorted.
  • It is almost impossible to hang such a TV on the wall, as many are accustomed to doing. It will be necessary to carefully select the installation location and purchase a special cabinet.
  • To really enjoy immersion and depth, you need a fairly large TV. Otherwise, the acquisition will simply be useless. So, for the 48-inch curved screen to show all its advantages, you need to sit no further than one and a half meters from it. This is a serious strain on the eyes. And on top of that, it will be impossible to sit with the whole family watching your favorite show. Therefore, the most optimal size of a TV with a concave screen starts from 70 inches. Only at this size will the viewing experience be as comfortable as possible.
  • A curved TV collects a lot of reflections, unlike a flat one. A crooked mirror effect is created and glare appears. Therefore, you should not place it in front of a window or a bright chandelier.

Should I buy a TV with a curved screen?

Whether curved monitors will displace traditional flat models from the market is still unknown. One thing is clear - the advantages of concave TVs have been proven by various mathematical and geometric calculations. But before purchasing such a monitor, you need to calculate whether all family members can comfortably use such a purchase.


If your house or apartment has a separate room for watching movies and TV shows, if you have the financial opportunity, then, of course, such a TV will be a pleasure. But if you can’t buy a TV with a concave screen larger than 70 inches, then you won’t get any effect, only disappointment and wasted money.

Electrical engineering is developing at tremendous speed. Today, curved screens are becoming an integral attribute of many modern gadgets. Of course, this mainly concerns televisions. In this article, we will find out which curved screen TVs are leading the market today. But before we consider the best models, we will deal with the question of the advisability of purchasing a TV of this design.

general characteristics

Curved screen TVs are not much different from flat models. The only difference is the bending of the matrix substrate on which the liquid crystals are placed. Otherwise, flat TVs are identical to curved ones. Many manufacturers even use the same motherboards for models with different screen shapes.

In the upper price range there are a few (but for now) models of TVs with flexible screens. Their main feature is that the angle of the screen can be changed directly from the remote control. In such TVs, instead of liquid crystals, organic light-emitting diodes are used for the substrate. These models have not yet gained a foothold in the market, so today we are discussing simple curved TVs.

At first glance, it may seem that curved screen TVs are nothing more than a fashion trend. However, they really deserve attention. Thanks to the optical illusion created by curved screens, the viewer's peripheral vision is activated. As a result, the picture turns out to be more realistic.

To form an image on a curved screen, the pixels are distributed unevenly, thereby ensuring high picture quality. Today, the maximum resolution is 4K, which allows you to convey the smallest details.

  • Increased contrast, brightness, color rendition. One of the main advantages of curved TVs is their improved picture quality. But the fact is that a modern flat TV, which incorporates analog technologies, is practically not inferior in this regard to a curved one.
  • Wide viewing angle. Due to the fact that the edges of the matrix in a curved TV are located closer to each other, the field of view narrows. As a result, the eyes can capture more detail while focusing at a smaller angle. It is worth noting that this advantage is noticeable only at short distances and/or on models with a large diagonal.
  • Three-dimensionality and realism of the image. The curved display allows your eyes to focus in multiple planes at once. Consequently, the eyes perceive not a flat, but a three-dimensional picture.
  • Anti-glare protection. The curved screen reflects light to the side rather than into your eyes.
  • Wall mounting problem. One of the disadvantages of a curved TV is often the inability to mount it on a wall. In fact, some modern models have a special area on the back for standard wall mounting. Another thing is the appearance: if a flat screen on the wall looks organic, then a curved one does not always.
  • Price. An important disadvantage of a curved screen TV is the price. It can be 20 or even 50% higher than the price of a flat model with similar characteristics.
  • Viewing angle. For many, the main disadvantage of curved screens is the fact that only the person who is strictly opposite the center of the screen can fully experience all the benefits of such a TV. For those viewing from the side, image quality degrades.

Best models

Be that as it may, curved screen TVs have firmly entered the market and are gradually replacing their flat counterparts. Today we will look at the best 4K models from leading manufacturers. When compiling the rating, in addition to characteristics, quality and quantity of functions, reviews from owners were also taken into account. The rating will be divided into three categories, depending on the diagonal of the TV.

Samsung UE40KU6300U

So, let's start with 40-inch TVs. Only one model stood out here - a Samsung TV with a curved screen. 40 inches is enough to experience all the advantages of this design. This model is considered the best among 40-inch TVs in terms of price and quality ratio. It is produced in Korea. The average TV price is $590.

The device has a very high resolution and HDR function, allowing you to view images in an expanded range of brightness. Thanks to the standard TV format (16:9), the picture is as realistic as possible and is practically not distorted. The built-in TV tuner makes it possible to organize a real home theater on the basis of the TV. In addition, high-quality stereo sound will be enough even for demanding users.

Since the Samsung Curved TV supports all modern TV signal types, there are absolutely no installation or compatibility issues. The Smart TV function allows you to connect the TV to a mobile phone and memory cards, and also makes it possible to access the Internet directly from the TV to search and watch your favorite movies. For more comfortable use, the TV supports Wi-Fi.

A review of reviews shows that the advantages of this model include high-quality images, good sound levels and an ergonomic remote control. Among the shortcomings are a small viewing angle, as well as the lack of Bluetooth function.

Philips 55PUS8700

Let's move on to considering TVs with a diagonal of 55 inches. The first of them is produced by the Dutch company Philips, which has long established itself as a manufacturer of high-quality equipment. The price of this TV is about $1,400. The LCD screen does an excellent job of conveying images, and HDR support improves brightness.

Separately, it is worth noting the TV's sound system. It is represented by five speakers and one subwoofer. The total power of the system is 50 W. Thanks to additional decoders and equalization functions, the sound is of the highest quality over a wide frequency range.

The TV has a Smart TV function, which many modern models cannot do without. It allows you to interact with your favorite gadgets and watch movies from the Internet. And to make this interaction more comfortable, the TV supports Wi-Fi. The Ambilight LED lighting system greatly enhances the realism of the image and looks very impressive. The device can play video and music in absolutely any format. The TV has as many as three USB outputs for memory devices, gadgets and other things, as well as a connector for an Internet cable for users who do not have a strong enough Wi-Fi signal in their home.

According to user reviews, the TV is fully worth the price and is generally a positive experience. The only complaint is that when turning on many systems, failures may occur, to prevent which you have to reboot the device.

LG OLED55C6V

Another model with a diagonal of 55 inches. In this category, LG's curved TV is clearly the leader. It is produced in South Korea and costs about $2,200. The picture of this device is considered one of the brightest and highest quality in its class. This was achieved through the use of an OLED matrix, the image of which is formed by a special diode. This design provides high-quality images regardless of viewing angle.

The TV supports 3D, which greatly expands its capabilities. It easily plays all popular video and music formats, including the most modern ones. 4 speakers with a total power of 40 W, in tandem with the sound equalization function, provide good volume and high quality sound. Smart TV, which is controlled by the proprietary webOS shell, makes it possible to connect any gadget to the TV. You can use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to pair with devices.

According to user reviews, the strengths of the TV are: an intuitive interface, high-quality images and good color rendition. The only drawback is the price.

Samsung UE65HU9000

Let's move on to 65-inch TVs. Three models are worth noting here. In third place is the flagship model of the Korean brand Samsung, the price of which is already $3,400. Samsung's curved screen TV features high sound quality, which is achieved thanks to 6 speakers and a subwoofer, the total power of which is 60 W. In terms of sound, this model can compete with middle-class home theaters.

The 4K resolution liquid crystal matrix has good color reproduction and a high degree of detail. The ability to watch 3D videos allows you to enjoy a three-dimensional image. A distinctive feature of this model is MHL support, which allows you to connect mobile devices to the TV via a micro-USB connector.

To access the Internet, you can use both the built-in cable connector and the Wi-Fi function. The picture-in-picture function allows you to simultaneously broadcast two images from different channels on the screen. 24P True Cinema support eliminates the problem of accelerating PAL movies.

Among the positive aspects of the model, users note excellent color rendition, high image quality and an ergonomic remote control. There are also weaknesses: sharp 3D, high price and lack of a microphone output.

Philips 65PUS8700

In second place among 65-inch TVs is the Dutch model, which, being the cheapest among the top three, is not inferior to its competitors in quality. The Philips 65PUS8700 TV costs approximately $2,600.

A 4K TV has a 16:9 matrix, which conveys the picture as realistically as possible without distorting it. The proprietary Ambilight LED backlight, which we have already mentioned today, creates the effect of complete immersion in what is happening on the screen and visually enlarges it. The TV can reproduce 3D using a special shutter technology, which has good quality and color reproduction.

The Smart TV function, familiar to modern TVs, is controlled via Android. It copes well with connecting various devices and accessing the Internet. The model is unpretentious to the quality of the television signal and reproduces all currently popular formats. 4 HDMI ports provide the ability to transmit signals from third-party media. And there are 3 USB ports for connecting storage devices. The TV has 16 GB of internal memory on which you can store any video, music, images and applications.

As for the disadvantages, they are the same as those of the similar model with a smaller screen discussed above.

LG OLED65C6V

The leader among 65-inch curved screen TVs and the last model in our review was the South Korean LG OLED65C6V TV. Its price is about $3800. This price is quite justified, considering that the TV uses OLED technology.

High image detail is ensured thanks to widescreen 4K resolution and HDR support. The TV has the function of converting 2D images to 3D, which will appeal to fans of 3D cinema. Thanks to the webOS operating system, the TV can be used as a full-fledged multimedia center, naturally with Internet access.

Having modest sound equipment, the model has a very decent sound. This is achieved thanks to 4 speakers and a volume leveling function that creates a home theater effect.

The TV supports Wi-Fi and is equipped with three HDMI outputs. And thanks to the optical output, the audio signal can be transmitted both analogue and digital. The only downside to this TV is the price.

Choice

What to choose: a straight or curved TV screen is a personal decision for everyone. But, if you prefer a curved screen, plan where it will be installed before purchasing. If the TV is hung on the wall, then in order for it to fit into the interior, you need to choose the right mounting location and, if necessary, arrange it. It is also worth considering the number of people who will watch TV at the same time. For large families, such devices are not very suitable, since only those who are located opposite the center of the screen will be able to fully enjoy their advantages.

From the above rating we can conclude that the leader in image quality is LG, whose TVs are priced accordingly. A good option is a Samsung TV. The curved screen, which is priced lower than LG's, does its job quite well. Well, the most budget-friendly of the best TVs are models from Philips. A Dutch TV with a curved screen, the pros and cons of which we discussed above, allows you to experience the triumph of technology for less money.

Conclusion

Today we learned what a curved screen TV is. The pros and cons of these devices make many people think about the advisability of purchasing them. However, many users still prefer a curved screen. For those who decided to buy such a TV, today we reviewed the best models. Advanced manufacturers manage to incorporate in their models all the advantages of a curved TV screen and minimize its disadvantages, so most likely, such TVs are the future.

If we go back to 2013, we see the first signs that a curved TV screen may be destined to become the next “3D”, especially judging by the marketing activity of Samsung and LG, which demonstrated the first curved OLED TVs. At the beginning of 2014, we once again encountered this trend when CES 2014 opened, but then everything was much more serious, as Samsung released curved LCD panels. But what are the benefits of these curved TV screens? Perhaps TV manufacturers have found a solution to some problem that we didn’t even know about? And if so, what is this mysterious problem they're trying to fix? Let's find out!

Where are curved screens used?

Actually, curved screens are not new. They have been used in many cinemas for a long time. Many TV viewers probably also remember the era of CRT TV, when a cathode ray tube (CRT) had a curved plane that served as a screen (although they were convex, not concave). And in cinemas, a curved screen solves two specific problems:
The lens of a film projector is almost a point source of the image. The light beam from this source is more optimally projected onto a concave-shaped screen, otherwise the level of distortion increases towards the edges of the screen. This effect is also known as pincushion distortion.
The typical distance from the screen to the audience in a movie theater is short, so a curved screen is needed to expand the “field of view,” which minimizes the need to turn your head to follow an object flying across the screen.


Imperial Cinema in Copenhagen

If you've ever truly enjoyed watching a movie in an IMAX Dome theater, you'll understand why a curved screen can provide a truly immersive experience while you're in a dome that almost hugs you completely.
Before we get to the main topic of the article, let's introduce another concept that we will often use later, well known as the “sweet spot”, which in our opinion corresponds to the optimal place for the viewer, the comfortable viewing zone. The optimal place for the viewer in such a cinema is the center relative to the arc of the curved screen, from which all lines to the screen are perpendicular to the viewer’s eyes.

How did manufacturers contribute to the emergence of curved TVs?

Right from the moment curved screens hit the market, we weren't exactly spoiled with precise calculations of the real merits of these new TV panels, and so far we can only get vague explanations related to the comparison of curved screens versus flat ones.

Samsung and LG immediately began popularizing the curved screen as "providing greater immersion" and enhancing the 3D experience because "the screen almost surrounds you." Along the way, “improved” viewing angles became the object of discussion, along with reduced image distortion and increased contrast.

LG has been telling people about an incomprehensible “goropter line” that defines points on the screen that are equidistant for both eyes of the viewer. Or, in other words, it is an arc in the center relative to which you are located. If the surface of the TV screen is at a distance corresponding to the horopter line, your eyes You won't have to adjust the focus when viewing the screen, the company believes. There are theoretical and empirical models that do not completely match, and LG decided to adopt the empirical version, which describes a smoother arc (larger radius of curvature) than in the theoretical model.

Click on the picture to enlarge it

LG and Samsung also claim that a curved screen will appear larger to the viewer than it actually is. In the picture below, LG illustrates the added width you'll get by choosing a curved panel. Notice how close the viewer is sitting to the screen.

Click on the picture to enlarge it

But what do we really have?

Let's take a closer look at all the arguments in favor of a curved TV screen. Naturally, today's screens are curved only in the horizontal direction.

"More Immersion"

To ensure the attractiveness of a curved TV screen for buyers, first of all, it should be increased involvement in what is happening on the screen, or, as is commonly expressed in marketing slang, “greater immersion.” Does a curved screen actually provide "more immersion"? The answer is clear: yes. But only if the screen envelops the viewer, as in IMAX. You will then “feel much more immersed in the plot of the film” (whether you like it or not is another matter). The same thing happens if you are sitting in the front row of a movie theater. But the key factor here is screen size! Because if you want the screen to "encompass" you, it must be large enough relative to the distance from the viewer to the screen. This is quite difficult to achieve with a 55'' TV. Especially if your favorite sofa is already located at a slightly further distance from the TV screen.

According to THX's screen distance guidelines, to achieve a immersive experience, you should sit at a distance from the TV where the screen covers 40% of your field of view. To meet these requirements, you should be sitting about 1.7 meters away from a 55" TV. But this is already too close for a Full HD screen. At 1.7 meters from the screen, you should already be thinking about upgrading the resolution to 4K But this is a completely different problem.

So what does this mean? Well, if you go by the horopter line theory, the latest curved 55" OLED TV needs to be viewed from a distance of 5m from the screen. This is significantly further than THX recommendations. So the radius of curvature of the LG OLED TV is actually quite far from optimal if you aim for all-encompassing immersion, simply because the TV screen is too small to provide optimal viewing from a comfortable seat.

For a screen with a curvature radius of 5 meters, its diagonal must be 101 inches to achieve a fully immersive movie experience. Samsung is actually starting to sell a TV in this size, but unfortunately you won't be able to buy it.

Wider viewing angles and contrast

The next argument made by proponents of a curved screen is the supposed expansion of viewing angles (the same arguments are used as for improved contrast). But do we need this? If we talk about TVs in general, the answer is not clear-cut, but if we take into account OLED TV, then it’s clearly not necessary.

OLED TVs have no problems with either contrast or viewing angles, they are already excellent. For LCD TVs, there is a need to expand viewing angles and contrast. This is especially true when it comes to the viewing angles of Samsung LCD TVs and LG TVs when it comes to discussing contrast.

So, how can a curved screen help here?
A curved screen can compensate for the loss of contrast in the side areas when you sit very close to a large screen. This will be especially obvious if you purchased a large diagonal monitor based on a Twisted Nematic (TN) LCD panel. It's very common to get drastic drops in contrast at the edges of the screen simply due to increased corners. In general, this is a serious problem that has a negative impact on color reproduction.

The typical user distance from the monitor is about 60 cm and, with a screen size of 27 inches, you will notice the positive effect of the concave shape of the screen - especially since more than one person rarely sits in front of the monitor.

When it comes to watching TV, things are a little different. First of all, not everyone prefers to watch TV alone. But there is only one place with optimal viewing angles in front of the screen. It should be noted right away that a regular flat LCD screen also only has one optimal position in front of the TV screen, from which you have the same angle relative to the left and right side of the TV panel, so the optimal position in front of the screen does not only apply to curved monitors . But here we are only talking about the advantages of curved screens over flat ones.

Are there any benefits to a curved screen in terms of improving viewing angles when more than one viewer is sitting in front of it? Again, we have to take into account how you will be positioned relative to, for example, a 55" TV screen that is only about 120cm wide, as someone may end up quite far from the center center line towards the screen.

Click on the picture to enlarge it

As you move away from the center, the angle relative to the near edge of the screen begins to shrink (less than 90 degrees) (acute angle), and the far angle begins to increase beyond 90 degrees (obtuse angle). Eventually, this may end up in a situation where one side of the screen is almost parallel to your line of sight (you probably wouldn't want to watch TV from that position anyway).

Changing the viewing angle of course also applies to the flat version of the screen, but here the changes are not as dramatic when you move a little away from the center of the screen. But not only does contrast depend on the viewing angle of LCD panels, you will also experience similar problems with black levels and color reproduction when you move away from the center.

The picture below shows the corner sector in front of the screen, where you get the maximum benefit from choosing a concave screen instead of a flat one. Keep in mind that all TV viewers should be positioned within the green zone to benefit from the concave surface of the screen when it comes to viewing angles, black levels and color reproduction. But almost everything is not as strict as shown in the figure; the picture on a curved panel does not automatically become poorer immediately after leaving the green zone.

It goes without saying that the closer you move the sofa to the TV, the more people you can fit on it (in the green area). It is also obvious that the increased radius of curvature will allow more people to fit inside the optimal area if you are alone on the distant sofa. Anyone outside the green zone will have more limited angles.
Let's take a look at how long a person can actually fit comfortably in front of a curved 55-inch TV screen. Let's increase the radius of curvature so that it is proportional, for example, as in the example with LG, to a distance of 5 meters from the screen, and see where we can fit in front of the screen. The typical viewing distance is about 3-4 meters and at this distance it is quite difficult for two spectators to get into the green sector.

Click on the picture to enlarge it

Thus, the answer to the question “Do curved screens provide better viewing angles?” – affirmative as long as you sit in a certain area.
Ironically, in fact, not all types of LCD panels benefit equally from the concavity of the screen. Samsung's VA panels suffer most when offset from the central axis towards the screen, so TVs with this type of panel are preferable to watch from directly in the center of the screen, in any case.

Less optical distortion and a more uniform focus plane

Okay, now let's look at the arguments about reducing optical distortion and eliminating focus shift. Here, the convincingness of the manufacturers’ position is generally far from clear. Firstly, the sensor matrices used in video cameras today are flat in shape, so this video is intended to be viewed on a flat surface.

The depth perception of scenes in films is designed to be reproduced on a flat screen, and by showing it all on a curved surface, you distort the original intent of the director of the film. We experienced this while testing one of LG's OLED TVs. One of the complaints in that review was that it actually added optical distortion that was very noticeable when looking at the screen from a high angle.

Now let's see what the situation is with the focal length? TV manufacturers claim that your eyes will be more relaxed when the entire image on the screen is in the same plane of focus. This might be true if the change in focal length were significant. When viewing on a curved and flat screen, you will have a difference of about 6 cm at the edges, relative to the center of the screen of a 55" TV. If, when you sit at a distance of 3-4 m from the screen, your eyes suffer from defocus with a change of approximately 2 % distance to objects, then you need to urgently consult an ophthalmologist.

Everything you do during the day requires your eyes to constantly change focus. They are designed to do this at ease. And here you don’t need to adjust or invent anything.

Reducing reflections

Now let's see what we have with reflections from a curved screen? With the curvature of the screen plane, the angle of reflection for light rays incident from external sources changes.

Thus, due to this, it is possible to reduce the glare effect on the screen. Due to the concave shape, the so-called focal point will be located at a distance of half the radius of curvature from the center of the screen. For a radius of 5 meters, this means that the focal point is 2.5 meters from the center of the TV screen.

What does this mean for you? Reflections are blurred if you sit further away from the focal point, they will become blurrier the further you sit. Thus, due to the curvature of the screen, the glare effect is reduced. Due to the expansion of reflected objects, the further you sit from the screen, the more their light intensity decreases.

This phenomenon is also starting to be used in portable displays, which you may soon see in practice. The immediate benefit will be noticeable when you use your mobile phone in brightly lit environments.

The screen will appear larger than it actually is

That is how it is. But really, this is just a variation on the earlier discussion about the optimal distance from the viewer to the screen, because with a curved screen, the edges of the screen are brought closer to you. Let's just see what you actually get.
The figure below shows the perceived width of the screen depending on the viewing position. As you can see, the added width perception decreases as you move away from the screen.

To evaluate how much you'll actually benefit in terms of added screen size, let's consider a 55-inch curved screen. For a 55" (140 cm) diagonal screen, the curved shape will reduce the projected width to 121.7 cm when the flat version is 122 cm. Given a radius of curvature of 5 m, this means that the screen forms part of an arc with an angular sector of 14 degrees when you sit at the optimal point. An angle of 14 degrees will give you about 3% more width than a flat 55-inch screen. A little. What if you move closer to the screen? At 3 meters from the screen, the angle increases to 24 degrees, which will give you an additional 9% of the perceived screen width.

For those who are strong in geometry, below are the basic formulas that must be used for calculations. You can check all the calculations.

Click on the picture to enlarge it

The graph below shows how perceived width varies with screen angle. As you can see, the effect of a curved screen decreases as you move away from the screen (i.e. the viewing angle of the screen decreases):

Click on the picture to enlarge it

Conclusion

Advantages compared to a flat LCD screen:
Reducing reflections
The TV screen is perceived as larger than it actually is
When used in monitors, wider viewing angles and improved contrast can be provided for a single user

Disadvantages compared to a flat LCD screen:
Viewing angles deteriorate for viewers sitting off-center in front of the screen
Reduces contrast for viewers sitting off-center in front of the screen
A TV mounted on the wall looks less elegant (but this is a matter of taste)
The overall thickness of the TV increases
Higher production costs and therefore higher TV prices
The curvature effect cannot be turned off...

2014 was the time when TV manufacturers tried to convince us that our current TV screens were not very advanced compared to the curved shape. They haven't provided any serious evidence that the flat screen is flawed, but as we've seen many times before, the marketing machine is up and running regardless of the weight of the arguments used. Many probably still remember how manufacturers tried to mislead us, assuring us that “LED models” were a new type of TV, and not just an LCD TV in which they replaced the backlight lamps with LEDs.

Every year new television technologies and marketing terms appear. The predecessors of the curved screen are buzzwords such as “3D”, “Smart TV”, “dynamic contrast”, “xxx Hz” and “sharpness”. The current technological scourge differs from previous ones in that it cannot be turned off. Even the Ambilight effect on Philips TVs, which also greatly affects the physical perception of the screen limits, can be turned off with the touch of a button. Now we are faced with a technology that cannot be ignored. "Curved display" cannot be disabled. Bye! Samsung and LG hope in a year or two to make us happy with TVs, the degree of curvature of the screen of which the viewer will be able to adjust from the remote control. And if necessary, make it completely flat again.

It may be hard to understand, but TV manufacturers will now be trying to sell us products that are actually a step backwards in terms of picture quality for most of the home TV audience, except for the lucky one sitting in a perfect position in front of the TV. Poor viewing angles have previously been a problem that manufacturers have had to contend with due to the limitations of LCD display technology, but now they seem to be ruining all their successes. At the same time, some manufacturers still release their flagship and other high-end models only with flat screens, as otherwise the industry could be pushed in the wrong direction.

We hope that you, dear consumer, will not be blinded by the radiant imagination of marketing campaigns designed to ensure sales that are hot as cakes. In this whole undertaking one can see just another attempt to promote the next “3D”.
Dear manufacturers, bring back flat screens to us and demonstrate curved ones at exhibitions and shows!