For viewing text, the industry standard calculation is visibility at 50' per 1" of character height. For viewing graphic and video images, both minimum and maximum viewing distances should be considered.
Minimum Viewing Distance
Minimum viewing distance is the closest a viewer can be located to the display and see a uniform image. A picture is formed when the eye and mind converge all the pixels into a single recognizable image. Smaller pixel pitches allow shorter viewing distances since the pixels are closer together and converge sooner. The absolute minimum convergence distance is two feet per millimeter of pixel pitch for graphic images. Text based displays are more forgiving and can be legible from a few feet away.
Maximum Viewing Distance
Maximum viewing distance is the farthest distance from the display the viewer can be located and recognize the displayed content. The more detailed the content the closer a viewer will need to be to adequately read it.
The actual minimum and maximum viewing distances vary by display type. Primarily the character height and pixel pitch will be critical factors. Consult the technology sheet for each display for viewing recommendations.
