How to Pick an LCD TV Screen Size

Picking the appropriate screen size for a new LCD television can be an exercise in futility. Many consumers are confused about how large the LCD screen should be for the space, and there are numerous methods to determine the correct distance a viewer should sit from the screen. Use the following tips to help you pick the LCD TV screen size that's right for you.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Determine the size of the space the LCD television will be located. This measurement will be the critical factor in determining the screen's size.

2. Place all furniture and seating areas where they are most comfortable to the viewer. Start with where the furniture is at present and see if that configuration is still appropriate for an LCD television.

3. Calculate the distance from the viewing area to where the LCD television will be. A 35-inch LCD television or smaller should be viewed from approximately 10 feet away. Larger sized screens require a larger, deeper viewing distance. A 60-inch LCD screen should be viewed from approximately 15 to 20 feet away.

4. Consider the angle at which the LCD television will be viewed. Some models of LCD televisions offer better viewing angles from the seating area than others. Viewing angle is the angle the television can be viewed from the side before picture degradation occurs.

Tips & Warnings

• Turn off all other LCD televisions at the store if possible and only inspect the television being considered. This will better help the viewer determine an appropriate LCD screen size without distraction.
• Think about window reflection when choosing the appropriate area to place the LCD screen. Most models come with anti-glare properties, yet a bright ray of sunshine can disturb even the best of screens.

Resources

• Here is a great LCD screen viewing distance article.
• Find an in depth article on LCD screens sizes and tips here.

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[thinkaboutthis]

on 1/7/2009 Here is IMPORTANT clarification for the previous comment.

For example:

A 72in. screen has a WIDTH of about 63in.
A proper viewing distance is the screen’s WIDTH (63in.) times 2.5 (about 157in. / 13ft.).

[thinkaboutthis]

on 1/7/2009 The writer of this article sounds a BIG advocate for SMALL televisions! "jpauljohnson" commented correctly! A proper viewing distance from the screen for a majority of people is approximately 2.5 times the width from the screen (remember: Width, not Diagonal screen size). Some examples are shown below. Feel free to try this yourself using the calculator sites shown below as well.

72in. screen = 13 ft. viewing distance
65in. screen = 11.5 ft. viewing distance
60in. screen = 10.5 ft. viewing distance
50in. screen = 8.5 ft. viewing distance
42in. screen = 7.5 ft. viewing distance
35in. screen = 6.5 ft. viewing distance

http://www.displaywars.com/
http://www.onlineconversion.com/

[jpauljohnson]

on 12/21/2008 You're not firing on all cylinders mate. "A 35-inch LCD television or smaller should be viewed from approximately 10 feet away." Even smaller? I'm guessing that you have 20:10 vision and a very small budget, or you just don't like TV. From 10 feet away, I wouldn't have anything less than 50 inches. Just my opinion, but I'm thinking I'm not alone here.