Picking the right size television screen for a room depends on many factors, not all of which people may be aware. Here are some tips on how to choose a suitable TV with the right screen size for your home.

Only personal preferences and the room size will determine how far you wish to sit from the television screen. But generally speaking, the smaller the screen size the closer you should sit. This is why most people prefer larger screens as sitting too close to the screen can be harmful for your eyes.

When HDTV was first launched, the manufacturers recommended a 30 degree viewing angle for the standard 1080i. Final research indicated that viewers will be able to comfortably watch TV at angle of 30 degrees or greater. To put this in simpler terms, a 52 inch diagonal HDTV set should be viewed at about 7 feet.

If you are not certain about the viewing distance, there are some basic ratios to learn about the screen size and seating location from the TV set. For example, if you have a 20 inch LCD TV, you should sit in a range of 2 to 4 feet away from the screen. For a 32 inch screen it would have to be a little further. The appropriate viewing distance is around 4 to 6 feet for a 32 inch screen. For a 50 inch plasma or similar type, the best distance would be between 6 to 10.25 feet. If you have a large sized room that can comfortably accommodate this distance, then a 50 or 60 inch plasma, LED, LCD or rear projection TV is the perfect size. As a general rule, the bigger the room the larger the TV set, but only if your budget allows it.

On the other hand, if your room is not that big, go for 40 inches or less by choosing flat-screen LCD TV. When it comes to determining the size range, plasma TVs are the most popular choice as they offer high quality picture and flat panel compared to LCD TVs. However, there are many ways you can enhance the picture quality with any television set you purchase. Wide screen TVs are more expensive and tend to distort images, but there are different settings available so read the manual carefully about viewing screen option modes.

Another important factor is the lighting. When the lights in your room are well balanced, your viewing experience will be enhanced. Too much light can cause screen glare and the colour definition will therefore be lost. In order to avoid this, place the TV where there is minimal lighting, but not completely dark. Ideally, your windows should have blinds or curtains on them with moderate lighting. The television set should not be in an area that is away from natural sunlight. An LCD TV may not hold its own with regards to picture quality if the room you have placed it in has a lot of ambient light. These factors should be taken into account prior to purchasing.

Having some light in your room whenever you watch television will prevent eye strain as viewing in total darkness is tiring. It is important to take your time and measure the room before buying a new TV set to ensure an enjoyable and comfortable viewing experience for many years to come. When shopping for a television set, remember to take measurements of the screen size, weight, height, depth as well as width to ensure perfect fit for your room.

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Written on behalf of Euronics – Samsung TV UK