How to Size a Plasma TV

Most plasma television screens are more than 30 inches in size.

Since their recent acclaimed arrival on the electronics market, plasma TVs have gained great favor with consumers as a new and reliable source of a stunning display. However, when deciding on how large of a screen to get, the classic term of "bigger is better," is not necessarily true with plasma televisions. One must properly size a plasma TV and assess the size of his room to find the right television for them.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring Tape
• Plasma TV

Instructions

1. Grab your measuring tape, and make sure it is clean because you do not want any dirt or residue to be left on your plasma screen. You may want to place a tissue around the front tip of the measuring tape to prevent any scratches to your screen.

2. Place the front tip of the measuring tape at the top-right end of the plasma screen, and continue to measure until you reach the bottom-left end of the plasma screen. For proper accuracy make sure the tape is aligned properly and record the length of measurement for your records.

3. Now to make sure that the Plasma screen is properly placed within your home use the proper viewing distance for a viewing that isn't too far and not to close. A pasma screen with a 26-inch screen has a viewing distance of 3.25-5.5 feet, a 32-inch screen has a viewing distance of 4-6.66 feet, a 40-inch screen has a viewing distance of 5-8.33 feet and a screen that is 52 inches has a viewing distance of 6.5-10.8 feet.

Tips & Warnings

• When watching your plasma television make sure that a low level of light may benefit your screen quality.

• Crutchfield.com advises the viewing distance you prefer will depend on your personal tastes, as well as what kind of material you'll most often watch. If you're going to watch lots of high-quality video---like DVDs and high-def programming---you can sit in the closer end of the range to see all the detail your HDTV can provide. On the other hand, if you'll still be watching lots of lower-quality sources, like analog cable, put the distance at the higher end so that you'll notice less of the image's flaws.

• Too much light or direct light may cause glare on your screen, impeding the quality of your plasma television.

References

• Crutchfield: Learn: Choosing Screen Size and Placing Your TV

Resources

• Crutchfield: Learn: Understanding HDTV Resolution
• Screen Math: Size and Distance