Choosing the right size TV for your entertainment space can be a tricky task. Many people have made the mistake of buying a TV only to find out it won’t fit where they want to put it. To avoid this hassle, it’s important to know how to accurately measure a TV screen and take into account a few other measurements when choosing the right size TV.
When you see screen sizes listed on a TV’s box or online, that measurement is from one corner of the screen itself to the opposing corner. However, often the listed size is just shy of the actual size. For instance, a 70 inch TV may actually come in at just shy of 69 and a half inches. This is important to keep in mind when sizing up a TV to see if it will fit on your media stand, cabinet, or on your wall.
To determine if a TV will fit in your space, you want to look at a few key measurements. On most product pages online, manufacturers will list the TV’s height, width, and depth both with and without a TV’s stand or legs. Some TV’s feet may actually increase the width, so it’s important to take this into account when determining if the TV will fit in the space you want to put it.
Bezel size also varies, and if you’re already tight on space, you don’t want to assume that you can just squeeze a TV in. For wall mounting, measuring is a whole different topic that involves a lot of measuring. However, manufacturers will typically list the VESA pattern for the TV, which is the measurement of the mounting holes on the back of the TV. This is important to ensure that the mount you purchase is compatible with your TV.
Another important measurement to consider when choosing the right size TV is the distance from which you’ll sit from the TV. Generally speaking, the further away you’ll be from the TV, the larger screen size you may want. Conversely, if you sit super close, it’s possible to get a TV so large that it doesn’t fit in your field of vision. A rule of thumb is to divide your viewing distance in inches (that’s from your eyes to the TV screen) by 1.6. For example, if you sit 8 feet from your TV, that’s 96 inches divided by 1.6, which equals 60 inches. So a 60 inch TV would be ideal, but you could go a little larger or smaller than that.
At some point, you may have to decide which is more important: screen size or picture quality. It comes down to your budget, and getting the biggest screen at your budget may not be as satisfying as getting the best picture quality at your budget. Keep this in mind when shopping for a new TV.
In conclusion, accurately measuring your TV screen and taking into account a few other measurements can save you from the hassle of buying a TV that won’t fit in your space. Don’t forget to check the TV’s height, width, and depth, and take into account the bezel size and the distance you’ll sit from the TV. Happy TV shopping!