It’s time for a new television for your living room. There are some things you should know before you take the plunge and buy a new TV. For example, consider buying a HDTV in November. Choosing a HDTV for your living space will depend on some important things like the size of your room and your budget. However, you also want to think about some other factors listed below like how far you plan to sit away from the screen.
Screen Size and Viewing Distance
You may not know this, but there is a way to determine the best viewing experience in your living room. The rule of thumb is to consider how far you and your family will be sitting from your HDTV. Today’s HDTV isn’t the same as the older model televisions. These HDTVs have more detail. So, you can sit close to the screen, but not so close that you can actually view the pixels on the screen. No, you don’t want to sit so far away that you miss out on one of the best things about an HDTV, the detail.
The rule of thumb regarding viewing distance is doing some math. It requires figuring things out in inches, not feet. Divide that distance by three. The total equals your recommended HDTV size. For instance, if you usually sit 10 feet (120 inches) from the TV, you divide that about three. That total size is 40 inches. Remember to take in the diagonal measurements of the TV’s screen.
Size Constraints
If your living room is more like an entertainment room, then space may be limited. For example, in a crowded room, consider having a 40-inch HDTV screen, if you sit at least four to six feet from the screen. A 50-inch HDTV screen can be ideal if you are about 7.5 feet from the television. However, if you sit about six to nine feet away from the screen, think about buying a 60-inch HDTV.
Viewing Angles
Another important factor is view angles. Ideally, the HDTV should be located in a place that is parallel to your eyes. This means that there’s no more than about a 15-degree angle upward or downward. Also, there’s a 40-degree angle to the right or left. If the TV is located at a sharp angle to the seating area, you won’t have a positive viewing experience.
Let’s say that a seating area and TV angle are 170/170 angle. This means that you can see images on the screen at 170 degrees down or up from the center of the HDTV.
Screen Resolution and Size
The larger an TV screen, the more important resolution becomes. An HDTV that is 40 inches or small will have a sufficient 720p resolution. However, a TV with a 50-inch screen or larger will have a definite difference ranging from 720- to 1080p. It’s important to note that the screen resolution will depend on the model of the TV. A full HD offers a screen resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels. A full HD is important for a view experience when using Blu-ray discs, video game consoles and satellite channels.
UHD/4K resolutions, which provide 2840 by 2160 pixels, permits you to sit closer to larger HDTV screens. You will still experience a crisp, beautiful picture. These resolutions provide at least four times the pixels of full HD screens. UHD and SUHD TVs are a great option for smaller crowded living rooms. You can still view the best picture from all seats in the living room.
