Television technology has been moving at an unprecedented rate delivering home theatre experiences never imagined before. The introduction of 1080p HD, UHD and 4K televisions are game-changers when it comes to the design of our home entertainment environment. In short advances in viewing and display technology allows for the image to remain clear even on very large screens. Additionally, the viewer can experience high definition even when positioned in close proximity to the device or when viewing the device from an angle. With loss of definition due to low pixel count no longer a concern consumers have far more flexibility than ever when it comes to picking the right television for their home.
For those currently trying to decide what is the right size television for their needs and the needs of their family, we have a few useful guidelines from our installation experts.
Pick a Television That is Aesthetically Proportionate to the Space
First decide on the type of furnishings and other home entertainment electronics you wish to install in your designated home entertainment room. Consider the implications of acoustics and the position of windows and doors and identify the wall best suited to serve as a focus point of the home theatre. Once you have identified your wall of choice decide if other furnishings such as shelves will be part of the feature wall. Measure the overall space available for your television and determine how much clearance you wish to have between the device and the edges of the wall. Consider the view for those seating at an angle. In determining the proper size for the TV keep in mind the following details:
- Flat Screen TV sizes have changed; what once was a 42inches flat screen has been replaced by the 39 and 46 inches choice.
- Your largest option can be as big as 110 inches
- Depending on the quality and brand of the device the size of the bezel will vary reducing the overall dimensions of the flat screen.
- Televisions are measured diagonally.
- Thickness of the device is also determined by the quality and brand. Higher quality devices tend to be slimmer that more economical models.
- When it comes to weight LEDs are lighter than Plasma Flat Screens and Ultra HD.
- Consider the mounting when making your decision. A heavier TV will require a mounting that can handle the weight securely.
A TV for Every Room
Now that we have touched on the factors we need to consider when selecting a television let’s talk about the setting. A TV for a home theatre should be significantly larger than one you plan to utilize in the kitchen or a guest bedroom. To put it plainly if the TV is going to be the focal point make sure the size corresponds to the function.
Smart Viewing Distance
Earlier we spoke about the way technology advances are allowing us to enjoy bigger TVs in smaller spaces. Now, let’s focus on the numbers. The table below is a good rule of thumb to help you make a smart purchasing decision as you discuss your television options with your professional installer.
| Diagonal Screen Size – | Minimum Viewing Distance in Feet – | Maximum Viewing Distance in Feet |
| 28″ | 3.5′ | 7′ |
| 30″ | 3.75′ | 7.5′ |
| 32″ | 4′ | 8′ |
| 36″ | 4.5′ | 9′ |
| 38″ | 4.75′ | 9.5′ |
| 40″ | 5′ | 10′ |
| 42″ | 5.25′ | 10.5′ |
| 46″ | 5.75′ | 11.5′ |
| 48″ | 6′ | 12′ |
| 50″ | 6.25′ | 12.5′ |
| 52″ | 6.5′ | 13′ |
| 54″ | 6.75′ | 13.5′ |
| 56″ | 7′ | 14′ |
| 58″ | 7.25′ | 14.5′ |
| 60″ | 7.5′ | 15′ |
A television is a big investment and one that is best handled with the direction of your installation professional who can help you see the whole integration of other technologies like sound and video.
photo credit: DannyBen
