Choosing Your Screen Size
Generally speaking, males enjoy a big screen TV... as do many females. There is nothing better than watching your favorite NFL team play on a Sunday afternoon on an HDTV flat screen, and as many would agree, the bigger, the better. Well, not always. When choosing an HDTV, there are a few things you need to know about screen size as it relates to your home viewing area in addition to just getting a big screen HDTV. The lighting, number of inputs, and picture quality are all important, but the screen size is the first factor to consider.
First, it is important to know how far away your HDTV will be from the seating area. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from the top corner to the opposite bottom corner. Generally, one should not sit more than three times the measurement of the screen size away from the HDTV. In other words, the further back you sit, the larger the screen size needs to be. For example, if you purchase an HDTV with a 42 inch diagonal screen, you should be sitting within 10 feet of the television to appreciate the true feel of a big screen TV. Sitting further back will cause you to lose the surround feel that everyone enjoys with the big screen.
Next, picture quality is probably what matters to most of us. When it comes to picture quality, there are several important things to look for in an HDTV. Both plasma and LCD type televisions produce excellent pictures, but the ambient lighting can make a difference. In general, if the room where the HDTV is mounted has large windows with lots of natural light, an LCD TV will have better picture quality. If the room has very little lighting or you are viewing mostly at night, the plasma will have nearly the same or better picture quality.
The aspect ratio of most flat screens is 16:9 which means that for every 16 inches of width, you have 9 inches of height. This is the standard ratio for most movies, and television shows, though some television shows that are not broadcast in HD are still 4:3. Most of the newer model TVs you find should be 16:9.
Other factors to consider include how many inputs the TV has and the types. The types of inputs include the latest HDMI inputs, which maximize the quality of the picture, and the standard VGA and component inputs like RGB. Most HDTVs have all 3 of these types of inputs. You will want to have enough HDMI inputs to hook up all of your new add-ons like a game console, Blu-ray, DVD player, and DVR. Connections that come with many cable boxes, including RGB, can be used until you upgrade to HDMI cables. Using both types is completely functional, but the best quality comes from HDTV with HDMI cables.
Once you have your HDTV purchased, you will have to consider mounting it or placing it on or in a TV cabinet. The easiest method is to use the stand that comes with the HDTV and place it on the entertainment center. Should you choose to mount it on the wall; you need to consider the glare from windows, correct height for viewing, and ensure that the TV is mounted and leveled. You can always hire a professional to mount your new flat screen HDTV, but with the right tools, it is something most of us can do on our own. For more information on this topic, or any topic related to HDTVs, browse our website. We provide a number of products and topic areas for any and all related inquiries.
