Shopping for a new television can be a hassle due to the sheer number of options available to consumers. A salesperson might throw dozens of specifications at you, all while leading you to the biggest TV they can get you to buy. For those not technologically savvy or just looking to get a decent TV without being pressured into product choices they do not really want or need, being armed with information is the best thing that can be done.

A Simple Formula

When trying to determine the right size TV, salesmen will typically cite the following formula to you: Take the average viewing distance you intend for the TV, convert it into inches, and then divide it by 1.5. This number should give you their recommended diagonal length measurement for the TV. Of course, this is coming from people who want you to buy the biggest TV you can afford, so dividing the viewing distance by 3 is also a good idea to give a lower end number and provide you with a range of TV sizes from which to choose.

For example, imagine that the primary seating area in your living room is 10 feet away from the wall. In inches, this comes to 120. Using the formula above, you get a recommended diagonal of 40" to 80."

Why Choose a Larger TV?

There is a definite reality to the idea that a bigger TV tends to result in more viewing enjoyment, and there is a social factor of having the largest TV in today's society. Larger televisions also cater towards enthusiasts, meaning they will likely have more features and better performance, though this is not always the case. Also, if the primary viewers suffer from any visual impairments then a larger size than normal would likely alleviate issues.

Why Choose a Smaller TV?

The most obvious reasons to go with a smaller TV are that they are usually cheaper than larger models and that they can fit into smaller spaces. Even if your maximum TV size for the viewing distance is 70", trying to fit a TV of that size into a tight budget or a small space is either going to be a hassle or impossible. It can also be a waste and even hard on the eyes to use a TV that is too large for the viewing distance.

How Much Do Resolution and Additional Features Matter?

Screen size is actually an important thing to keep in mind when picking out additional specifications like whether your TV is in 720p or 1080p. On smaller TVs, you will have difficulty noticing the difference between close resolutions. High Definition in general does make a large impact whatever the screen size, but if you are looking at a TV smaller than 40" and want to save some on the purchase, opting for a 720p over the 1080p should be viable.

Enjoy the Show

Whenever you do decide on a TV, be sure to enjoy it as much as possible with games, movies, and more. You can find great deals on DirecTV from companies like Satellite TV HQ, and there is always a bargain around the corner on gaming systems and video players.

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