HDTV - How Big is Too Big?
02 January 2007
A lot of people have rushed out and purchased an HDTV for their homes. Believe it or not, many people are having buyer's remorse - not that they purchased a plasma TV but that they didn't get a big enough one!Here are some buying tips to make sure you get the right HDTV for you:
Size - How big do you go? It's a good idea to have a set of measurements in hand when you go to purchase your display. First, you want to make sure how much room you have. Are you using an existing entertainment center? Will it fit on your wall or fireplace mantle? Take measurements not only of where it will go but from where you'll be watching the TV. Determine how far away your chairs or sofa will be -- that matters in how big the HDTV should be. If you're sitting less than 9 feet away, any size under 40 inches should be fine. From 9 feet to 10 feet, you can get a 4o to 42 inch display. Over 10 feet, you'll want to look at 55 to 60 inches or more.
Equipment - Many don't know this but not all HDTVs come with the receiver used to pick up Hi-Def signals. You may need to purchase an HD receiver to get in the right channels. Also, consider that many satellite companies require a completely different receiver for their channels - for example, with DirecTV you need a new receiver and satellite dish. Schedule ahead to make sure these components are installed, otherwise you might have to sit and stare at a very expensive paper weight for a few days.
As prices come down, people are moving over to the high definition arena. But there is so much new equipment and so much information floating about that it's wise to do as much research as you can. The more you know about what type of TV to buy, what size to get, and what you'll be doing with it, the less chance you'll have of any buyer's remorse.
If you need help creating a home theater to go around your new High Definition display, or just need help hanging a plasma TV, you can post your project request with Construction Deal. We'll help you find a local home theater or plasma installation pro - for free.
Labels: Front Projection TV, HDTV, Home Theater Installation, plasma tv
