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Updated: 11:10 AM Sep 5, 2007
Room Factors
Different room factors should have an impact on the selection of your HDTV. Posted: 1:16 PM Nov 15, 2006Reporter: Andrew Felix |
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Different room factors should have an impact on the selection of your HDTV. Room size, seating arrangement, and lighting conditions will have a drastic impact on your optimal viewing experience. Expect to rearrange your room to get the most vivid picture with the least amount of reflection for everyone to enjoy.
Room Size As a general rule you should sit 2-3/4 times the diagonal distance away from your TV to get the best viewing experience. For example, if you purchase a 42” screen your couch should be 115.5” (or nine feet) away from your TV. You will see the pixels that make up the image if you have a screen that is too large or if you sit to close. Sitting too far from the screen will degrade the overall picture quality as well.
Viewing Angles Usually TV is best viewed straight on, with the HDTV at the same level as your eyes. If your TV room is set-up with seating on opposing angles or not directly in front, you will want to consider screens that allow for off-axis viewing. Flat Screens (Plasma, CRT or LCD) offer the best viewing angles. Rear-projection, although it has improved, still does not look as good from side angles. Front-projection (theatre style) can offer decent viewing from multiple angles if set-up correctly.
Lighting Always consider the lighting conditions when selecting your HDTV. Rooms with little or controllable (bulbs on dimmers) lights work best for optimal viewing experience. In rooms with a lot of competing light (Large Windows) Flat Screens (Plasma & LCD) work best, whereas, projection styles cannot compete and don’t look nearly as well.
The noticeable difference between types of HDTV’s comes from the technology. When selecting an HDTV that is right for you make sure you look over all the different styles. In my article Types of HDTV's you can read the pros and cons of the different models. For more information on the terms used when selecting an HDTV view my article on Terms to Know.
Click Here for report (DTV Quarterly activity station report FCC Form - 388 - TV_Amendment_to_Q2_DTV_Education_Report)
Click Here for - 4th Q DTV Quarterly Report
Click here for 2009 FCC Form 388
Consumers that subscribe to a "pay" television service such as cable and satellite have not been affected by the switch, but if you received analog television over the air or via an antenna, you’ll need to take action to continue watching your favorite stations, if you have yet to do so already.
Click here for front page of Brochure
Click here for the back page of the Brochure
However, TV sets that rely on "over the air" broadcasting with an antenna (set-top or rooftop) to receive a signal will be affected by the cutoff of analog broadcasts in 2009. You will need to consider one of the following options:
- Purchase a digital-to-analog converter box that plugs into an existing television. The boxes, which are expected to cost between $50 - 70 will be available for purchase in 2008. Beginning on January 1, 2008, U.S. households can request up to two coupons valued at $40 each. Each coupon can go toward the purchase of a single set-top converter box that will allow you to continue watching FREE "over-the-air" television on an analog set.
- Subscribe to a cable, satellite or telecommunications service provider if all desired local broadcast stations are carried by that service.
- Purchase a new television set with a built in digital tuner.
