| Picking the right sized Big Screen TV for your needs | | | | bedroom ceilings. |
| can’t be boiled down to a simple formula. There | | | | • A careful shopper can find a name brand 42-inch |
| are many things to consider before you’re ready to | | | | HDTV Flat Screen for around $1,000, and a 50-inch for |
| make a purchase. | | | | about $2,000. You can spend much more, but the price |
| How large is the space in your living room where the | | | | of Plasma, LCD and DLP TVs has dropped |
| flat screen TV will go? Is there room around the TV | | | | significantly in recent months. |
| for ventilation and Dolby Surround Sound speakers? | | | | (If you’re not familiar with some of the terms used |
| How much do you want to spend? How far away will | | | | above: HDTV, Plasma, LCD and DLP, you should |
| the viewers be sitting? | | | | Google the "123 Guide To Plasma TV.com") |
| You’ll also want to know if a Home Theater | | | | • A wall mount takes up much less space than a |
| System fit in the room. Would you have more space if | | | | TV stand. Flat Screen TVs are less than 4 inches |
| you install a wall mount instead of a TV stand? Do | | | | thick, a flat wall mount adds 2 inches and a tilt mount |
| you want to buy a discount or high end Big Screen | | | | 4-6 inches. A TV stand can require space varying |
| TV? And most importantly, how jealous will the | | | | between 6 inches and 10 inches. |
| neighbors will be? | | | | • The Size of Table Stands vary with the style and |
| • Measure the space where you plan to install the | | | | make. Plan on a table or base with at least 12 inches in |
| TV. Subtract one foot from the resulting measurement | | | | depth and a minimum width 6 inches longer than the |
| to allow for the frame and ventilation space. This will | | | | bottom of the table stand. |
| give you a rough idea of what sized Plasma TV will fit | | | | • How much viewing space is available in the |
| in the space (a five foot long space is needed for a | | | | room? The comfortable viewing distance for smaller |
| 50” TV). | | | | Big Screen TVs is 6 to 10 feet; the largest plasmas |
| • Big Screen TV screens are measured diagonally | | | | can be easily viewed from 6 to 20 feet away. |
| like all TV screens. The most popular screen sizes are | | | | • Consider the space needed for all the |
| 42-inch and 50-inch, although many sizes are available | | | | accessories your Big Screen TV will require; a TV |
| between 32-inch and 108-inch. Because TV screens | | | | stand (or wall mount) , a home entertainment system |
| are measured diagonally; a 50” screen will have a | | | | with speakers, a digital cable box and an HD-DVD |
| horizontal measurement somewhat shorter than | | | | player. |
| 50”. | | | | • Last, but not least, how jealous will the neighbors |
| • How high on the wall should your Plasma TV be | | | | be when they see your new 50-inch Plasma? |
| mounted? A flat wall mount should be slightly above | | | | Only you can decide what size Flat Screen TV you |
| the viewer's eye level. The bottom of the screen | | | | want to purchase for your family. Do a little planning, |
| should be no more than one foot higher than the eye | | | | make informed choices, and you’ll be much happier |
| level of a seated adult. A tilt mount can be installed | | | | with your new Big Screen TV! |
| much higher than that, over fireplaces and even on | | | | It's as easy as 1 2 3! |