When it comes to televisions, most people automatically think that bigger is better. This isn’t always the case, however. Before heading straight for the section in the showroom with 50 inch TVs or larger, here are a few things to consider when sizing up televisions.
First and foremost, it is important to factor in the size of the room when choosing the size of any television, whether it is plasma or LCD. The optimal viewing distance for picture quality is at least 6 feet away from 50 inch TVs. With a shorter viewing distance, the picture often appears pixilated or grainy on large TVs. In smaller spaces, where there may only be 5 feet between the television and the furniture, 40 and 47 inch televisions are recommended. For limited, casual television viewing in rooms such as bedrooms, home gyms or home offices a screen size between 26 and 32 inches is usually adequate.
In rooms such as great rooms, living rooms or home theaters larger televisions enable viewers to get the most out of their viewing experience. Experts usually recommend a screen size of at least 37 inches, but most people will prefer 50 inch TVs as the sharp details of the picture will look better and HD content on a larger screen provides a theater-like experience.
Not all 50 inch TVs or larger are HD capable, however. Be sure to check the resolution before making a final purchasing decision. Resolution is measured in pixels. A television that boasts 1080p is HD capable and provides sharper images than a television that is 720p. If you do not have a subscription for HDTV service or you mostly watch standard definition programming, you do not necessarily need a television with higher resolution.
Budget will be the ultimate determining factor when choosing the size and resolution of televisions. This combined with the location and viewing habits of a household should all be taken into consideration when shopping for televisions.