| Shopping for a television can be a complex endeavor. | | | | that will be purchased. If a buyer selects a |
| Buyers have numerous technologies, all providing | | | | widescreen, high definition (high resolution) LCD or |
| excellent viewing, from which to choose. Aside from | | | | plasma screen they can actually sit a bit closer to the |
| pocketbook considerations, the impressive pictures | | | | screen because the scan lines and pixels are less |
| and audio from a television can drive the purchasing | | | | visible. The picture remains clear despite viewing the |
| decision for most shoppers. However, the quality of | | | | screen in closer proximity. |
| the viewing experience, as well as the cost of the | | | | For these televisions, the viewing distance from the |
| television, is greatly influenced by the size of the | | | | screen to the seat from which they will typically view |
| television screen. | | | | their television can be measured in inches. This |
| How should a potential television buyer determine | | | | measurement is then divided by 4 which results in a |
| which size television is the right one for their | | | | number that will be a rough estimate of the minimum |
| situation? | | | | size screen that should be purchased. As an example, |
| There are many methods of determining the screen | | | | if the distance is measured at 144 inches (12 feet); |
| size which would be recommended by those in the | | | | the minimum screen size that should be considered is |
| industry. In general, televisions less than 27" are used | | | | 36 inches. |
| in bedrooms and those found in kitchens tend to be | | | | For a regular 4:3 television which is not high resolution, |
| 19" and smaller. For living room use, most people tend | | | | optimum television size could be grossly calculated by |
| toward screens 27" and larger. Home Theater | | | | measuring the viewing distance in inches and dividing |
| applications typically make use of television screens | | | | by 4.8. Being too close to a television that does not |
| 32" and up. These aren't rules of course, just | | | | offer high resolution can result in a poor quality view |
| "norms". | | | | as scan lines become visible. |
| Although there are many proposed methods of | | | | Although selecting the display type/technology of a |
| calculating the optimum screen size, one of the | | | | television can be a complex choice that is based |
| primary considerations is the room in which it will be | | | | more upon personal preferences, selecting a |
| viewed; or more specifically the distance between | | | | television that is the optimum size can be a simple |
| the viewer and the television. Using this distance, it is | | | | decision that has a very direct effect on the quality |
| simple to determine which screen will produce the | | | | of a buyer's viewing experience and the ultimate cost |
| best viewing. | | | | of their purchase. |
| The calculation varies based on the type of television | | | | |