This article details information about screen types, sizes and your choice of regular or HDTV broadcasts as well as your screen shape or aspect ratio.

Understanding these important factors will help you to choose a big screen TV that suits your individual needs

Screen Type

Cathode-ray tube TV’s are still sold in large numbers but if you are going to choose a big screen TV a good choice would be a digital rear-projection model. If videos are your thing front-projection models are the next big thing.

Rear-Projection Models

The foremost choice in big screen TV, digital rear-projection models provide a picture that is clear and sharp but look best when viewed head-on from a seated position. If you are sitting to the side or standing up the picture appears dimmer. In recent years their cabinets have become slimmer but they still take up more space than a direct-view TV.

Since the larger screens require a greater viewing distance don’t choose a big screen TV like this one for a small home. Sizes range from 42” to 70”, so you will need to house them in a large room to avoid the appearance that they are taking over the room.

Recently digital rear-projection screen TV’s based on DLP, LCD or LCoS technology have revamped the big screen TV market. These are ‘table-top’ TV’s with shallow, lightweight cabinets as compared to traditional types of big screen TV which use three small cathode-ray tubes (one each for red, green and blue)

Front-Projection Model TV’s

This is a two-piece system containing a projector and screen. A couple of years ago home theater projectors were heavy, expensive and based on cathode-ray tubes. They also required professional installation and maintenance. However, recently front projection TV’s have slimmed down to compact models that are lightweight digital home theater projectors.

Sizes range between 40” to 300” so they are perfect for avid video watchers and home entertainers. Picture quality has improved tremendously in the last few years so it’s easy to choose a big screen TV with excellent clarity.

Front projector TV’s will perform best in reduced light or total darkness so consider your lifestyle and the practicality of this choice. Images are bright and bold, however and if you’re looking for a big emotional impact this is the ideal choice.

TV Screen Size

A good rule of thumb is ‘the bigger, the better’ but you obviously need to take into account the size of your room when you choose a big screen TV. If you have lost of space and are setting up a home theater system by all means go for the biggest one that suits your room and budget.

If your TV is just for normal family viewing, again, take into account the room size, available viewing positions and of course your budget but choose a big screen TV you can afford.

Your viewing distance is vital for optimizing your viewing experience. If you sit too close a big screen TV isn’t ideal. If you are aware or distracted by the screen’s pixels (those tiny dots that make up the picture) or horizontal scan lines then you are sitting too close. Moving your seating away will improve your viewing.

Regular vs. High-Definition Capable TV

Should you choose a big screen TV with high-definition capable fittings? More than 99% of U.S viewers now have access to over-the-air digital television (DTV) broadcasts and more and more stations go digital every month. DTV is comprised of High-Definition Television (HDTV) and Standard-Definition Television (SDTV).

HDTV is all the rage since it offers film picture quality with great detail, dimensionality and rich, vibrant colors to boot. The official audio standard for HDTV is a crisp and clear Dolby® Digital.

However the lower-resolution SDTV digital format will give you better picture quality than current broadcast and cable services. All DTV formats eliminate analog types of interference like ‘snow’ and ‘ghosting’.

Don’t let the limited availability of HDTV in your area influence your choice. Even if you don’t have HDTV they can improve your viewing quality because HDTV-ready models include up-conversion circuitry to non-HDTV signals like DVD, antenna/cable and digital satellite.

When you choose a big screen TV for optimum DVD viewing, connect a progressive scan DVD player to an HDTV or HDTV-ready model. This will give you pixel-perfect clarity and detail.

TV Screen Shape or Aspect Ratio – 4:3 v. 16:9

DVD and digital television have driven the square type 4:3 aspect ratio forward to a wider 16:9 ratio. Almost all analog (non-DHTV capable) TV’s offer 4:3 screens but the HDTV models are mostly 16:9.

Your viewing choices can guide you to the model that is best for you. If you watch mainly local and network shows and don’t have much access to over-the-air or cable HDTV and in addition don’t watch many DVD’s, a 4:3 screen may be ideal. 4:3 HDTV-ready models must include a special mode of viewing that can display widescreen material as HDTV broadcasts and anamorphic DVD’s in a 16:9 window (i.e. with black bars above and below).

If you can access HDTV broadcasts or watch several movies each month you may prefer the widescreen 16:9 models. These models can display 4:3 movies in a window as above. In addition, you will be able to choose from several viewing modes aimed at making 4:3 material fill the screen by stretching or magnification.

By now you should have a better idea of available options and be well on your way to making a decision that suits you and your family. The most important thing to remember when you choose a big screen TV is to choose one adapted to your needs and always keep future advances or viewing opportunities in mind. Choose a big screen TV if home entertainment is something you frequently indulge in and make a point of enjoying it to its full potential. Happy TV viewing!