High-definition televisions continue to get larger and larger, and while some people get behind the idea that bigger is always better, it isn’t always the most ideal option. The biggest widescreen televisions are obviously going to be more expensive, so you shouldn’t have to break the bank if it isn’t going to make your viewing experience more enjoyable. Generally, you will want to consider aspect ratio, viewing distance, and the quality of the program being watched. Keeping these factors in mind will lead you to the best television for you.
For small spaces such as bedrooms, you’re going to want to go with a smaller screen, probably 36 inches or less. This is because if you’re too close to the TV you might begin to notice the pixels that make up the images on the screen. This would only be true if you were less than six or seven feet from the screen, or if you were watching analog cable instead of digital high-definition programming. If you watch a lot of analog cable, you’ll want to sit farther back with a smaller screen so as not to notice the imperfections. If you watch high-definition programming, you’ll want to sit closer to a wider screen.
The largest screens available are around 70 inches, but these should only be used if your TV is positioned between 12 and 15 feet away from the places where people will be sitting. Another thing to consider is the aspect ratio. Some programming is formatted in a square, 4:3 ratio, while some conforms to the new widescreen look with a 16:9 ratio. In order to get the same 4:3 quality on a widescreen TV, you’ll need a taller screen height. Thus, you would need a 32 inch TV instead of 26 inches to get similar quality.