by Product Specialist
There's nothing better than watching the latest action movie with your kids. Pop the corn, pass out the soft drinks, then sit back and watch on a large screen HDTV in the family room.
The HDTV is the most popular addition to the home entertainment hub. If you're shopping for one, you will find many choices. What is the best size?
Experts say, "It depends." You need to consider how far family members sit from the screen, plus the angle, the resolution and how much space there is available.
Matching Screen Size with Viewer Distance
How far do you and other viewers sit from the television screen? The standard recommendation is to measure the inches between you and the viewing distance, then divide by 3.
The result is how big your screen should be. For example, if you sit 12 feet from the TV, that's 12 feet x 12 inches, or 144 inches. Next, divide 144 by 3, which gives you 48. That means the best screen size is 48 inches, which refers to the diagonal measurement.
The Angle You Watch From Matters
You will end up seeing negative images on your television screen if you watch from a position that has sharp angles.
That's why you need to locate the TV properly. Place it so your eyes are parallel with the screen. Try for angles that are less than 15 degrees up and down and less than 40 degrees left and right.
The Right Resolution for the Screen
Resolution plays a major role in the quality of what you see. For screens that are less than 40 inches, 720p resolution is fine. But with a screen that is 50 inches, you want one that is 1080p, which is considered full HD.
The Size of Your Room
Even if your family room is crowded, don't stint on the size of the screen. You will be using it for years to come, so it pays to get the right size. Even if space is at a premium, experts suggest these sizes:
- 40-inch screen if you sit 4 to 6 feet away
- 50-inch if you sit 7.5 feet away
- 60-inch if you sit 6 to 9 feet away