How to choose the right TV according to the size of the room and the table of diagonals
When buying a TV, first of all they study its technical characteristics. Deciding on a feature set is half the battle. Image quality is influenced not only by supported format, but also by distance from the viewer, and perception is influenced by room size. Before buying, you need to know how to use the table to find a TV depending on the size of the room, and prepare a place for it in advance.
Let's understand the concepts
The modern television is a flat screen. The screen is sized to fit the device. The diagonal of the screen is chosen to facilitate viewing, and the size of the TV is adapted to the size of the room.
TV size
In addition to the diagonal, the plasma panel parameters include length and height. In modern models, their sizes are from 16 to 9. The amount also depends on the frame. But the manufacturers make sure that the case design does not distract viewers from the screen.Therefore, modern panel displays are limited to very narrow, almost invisible bezels.
Diagonal size
The diagonal of the screen is the distance between the upper left corner and the lower right corner. Foreign manufacturers designate it in inches. In the model markings, the first digits indicate the diagonal. You can rarely find the value in centimeters on the packaging.
To imagine the size of a 32-inch TV, remember that one inch equals 2.54 centimeters. 32 times 2.54 is 81.28. The construction tape will help complete the visualization.
Choice criteria
A properly selected TV looks harmonious in a small or large room. Flat screens differ in sound and image reproduction technologies.
Room size
The home cinema experience is influenced by the distance from the TV. The seats in the cinema are chosen so as to see the whole screen, in the middle or a little further than the middle of the room. In the first rows, the image is too close and only part of the screen is visible. Small details are indistinct in the back rows.
The same principle works when you place a TV at home. A small room doesn't have enough room to accommodate viewers at a comfortable viewing distance.
Features
Modern televisions transmit images using three technologies:
- LED - LED screens impress with their vivid colors, but limit the view;
- OLED - organic light-emitting diode panels are thin, with a wide viewing angle, give a bright and contrasting image, more expensive models are produced with a large diagonal;
- LCDs are liquid crystal displays that are bulky compared to flat LED displays.
An important parameter is the response time. It is the speed at which the liquid crystals pass from a horizontal position to a vertical position. With a response time of 8 milliseconds, fast-moving images remain sharp. If the indicator is higher, when objects move, their outlines will be blurred. Therefore, you should choose a model with a faster response time.
There is no room in the flat panels to accommodate the speaker. Therefore, you need to separately connect the speakers to the TV. But if the model is equipped with built-in speakers with a power of 20 watts and a Dolby Digital system, you can count on good sound without additional devices.
Screens differ in viewing angles. At 20 degrees, the image is only clearly visible when looking directly at the screen. At 40 degrees, the image can be seen by standing a little to the left or to the right. The best viewing angle is 170 degrees. The image is visible from anywhere in the room.
Large screen televisions consume more energy. To save electricity, they have a power saving mode and backlight control.
Additional functions:
- Dual-picture PIP technology - in addition to the main picture, a small window is displayed for watching two channels at the same time;
- teletext - to consult the program guide and news;
- digital TV toner - to tune channels without a decoder.
A new feature of flat screen televisions is Smart TV, which makes them look like smartphones. Through the browser, you can access the Internet, watch and download videos. A television can replace a computer screen.
What mainly affects the image quality
The clarity of the image depends on the type of matrix, the format and the resolution of the screen.
Format
The image is submitted in two-dimensional or three-dimensional format:
- HD - in the extended dynamic range, the image acquires depth and volume as close as possible to reality;
- 3D - the effect is achieved using the curvature of the screen or special glasses, suitable only for movies in 3D format.
3D panels are not in demand because TV programs are broadcast in HD format and the image is distorted.
Authorisation
The more pixels, the higher the resolution and detail of the image. Parameter types:
- HD Ready - 1280 × 720 dpi;
- Full HD - 1920×1080;
- Ultra HD - 3840x2160.
The first two types differ visually with a diagonal of more than 32 inches. When buying a large plasma, it is better to opt for Full HD. Most programs and movies are broadcast in this format. The Ultra HD is suitable for 60" and 80" diagonals.
Contrast
The contrast between light and shadow is usually adjusted in the settings. Modern TV models are able to automatically adjust the contrast depending on the scene.
Matrix quality
The main element of the TV is responsible for the color, viewing angle and contrast of the image. A matrix is a plate between which there are crystals or LEDs.
Die Types:
- IPS - transmits vivid color images, provides a wide viewing angle;
- PLS - the pixels are located more densely, the matrix completely covers the standard representation of the color spectrum, so the picture is brighter and more colorful;
- S-PVA - transmits the image with more contrast, and black color - deeper than previous matrices, the image is visible even when viewed from the side.
LCDs are cheaper than LEDs. But the advantage of LED is less power consumption and no mercury.
How to correctly calculate the optimal TV diagonal depending on the distance
How to know the size of the diagonal suitable for the room:
- determine a place for the television;
- measure the distance to where the viewer will be looking from;
- subtract 1/3 of the figure obtained.
The end result is a pleasing screen diagonal.
In the days of cathode ray tubes, watching television up close had a detrimental effect on vision. According to the rules, it was safe to watch TV at a distance of 4 diagonals from its screen.
An easier and more convenient way to select the correct distance is to turn on the TV and move away from the screen until the pixelation disappears. Movies can be watched at this minimum distance. For watching news and sports broadcasts, it is best to sit farther away to see the scroll line, subtitles and match score.
Ultra HD Diagonal Graphics
The distance at which the image remains ultra-clear depends on the size of the screen. The ratio of inches and meters for convenience is summarized in a special table.
| Diagonal size in inches | 30 | 40 | 50 | 60 | 70 | 80 | 90 | 100 |
| Screen Distance in meters | 0,5-1,1 | 0,7-1,5 | 0,9-1,9 | 1,1-2,3 | 1,4-2,7 | 1,5-3,1 | 1,7-3,5 | 1,9-3,9 |
With a screen of more than 80 inches, you can organize a mini-cinema. The maximum viewing distance is over 4 meters.
Features of choice
The size of the TV affects viewing comfort. If there is enough space in the room, do not waste time on trifles and put on a small plasma. The size and purpose of the room will help you find the happy medium.
Food
In a small room, a small TV looks naturally. Important points:
- choose a model with a wide viewing angle so that the image is clear from anywhere in the room;
- choose a panel with high sound quality so you can hear it when sizzling steaks or the blender is running.
You also need to take into account the lighting - place the plasma so that the sun's rays and the light from the lamp do not distort the image.
A screen with a diagonal of 28-32 inches is suitable for the kitchen. This is the standard space for a built-in TV in kitchen units.
Living room
The largest room in an apartment or house is the hall. It seems logical to hang the plasma with the largest diagonal in the living room. Why this choice is wrong:
- the image is tiring if the screen is wider than the field of vision;
- at close range, the image disintegrates into pixels, you cannot appreciate the clarity of Full HD.
The diagonal from 40 to 55 inches is the most comfortable for the living room. For an 80 inch plasma, the room must be over 3 meters.
Bedroom
The huge plasma in front of the bed or on the ceiling is also a test for vision. To turn a room into a home theater with a 60-inch panel, there must be 2 meters of free space between it and the audience.
What else do you need to know
Important points when choosing and installing a TV:
- a distance should be left between the plasma and the walls of the cabinet for ventilation;
- the price depends on the functions available and the size of the diagonal. The bigger the screen, the more expensive the TV;
- if you sit in front of the screen so that it covers the entire field of vision, you can achieve the effect of real immersion, like in a movie theater;
- the aspect ratio of the TV should match the aspect ratio of the TV channels or movies.
When purchasing an Ultra HD panel, it is important to remember that the picture will be crystal clear if the content is served in the same format. If the channel broadcasts the series in Full HD quality, in Ultra the outlines of objects will be blurred. The series video is designed for fewer pixels than the matrix can accommodate. To activate all the LEDs, the processor will expand the image and decrease the image quality.