Televisions are getting bigger and more affordable. Homes today often have screens above 60 inches, and it is not unusual to have 70-inch or bigger models installed.
Although bigger seems like it would be better, that fact is not the case for some rooms. If your TV is too big, the viewing experience gets adversely impacted by the size.
How do you choose the right TV for your apartment?
What to Consider When Choosing Your Next TV
1. Select the best spot for your television.
Before you can choose the right size for your TV, you need to find the right spot for placement. When you use an entertainment center or a television stand, the furniture selected may dictate the television’s size. If a wall placement is your priority, you’ll need to think about the clearance you have from where you sit, the ceiling, a fireplace, and other considerations.
Please remember to measure the space where you intend to place the television first. If you purchase oversized equipment, the installation may not work.
2. Think about your stand width.
If you mount your TV on a console table or use an entertainment center, your unit’s width may come into play. Some televisions have an extensive profile because of the weight that the installed legs support.
Bracket width is another consideration to review for a wall installation. Your TV should not stick out into the traffic patterns for your apartment. If it is too broad, you could inadvertently damage your investment.
3. Measure your viewing distance.
The best televisions fill about 30% of your vision when you watch a show or TV. That means you can determine what the best size will be based on your room. Measure the seating distance from where you plan to install the television to where you’ll watch it.
Once you have that figure, multiply it by 0.625. That means if you have 120 inches (10 feet) from your seating area in your apartment, a 75-inch TV will work well. When there are only 80 inches available, you’d be better off buying a 50-inch model.
Those figures are for 1080p HD televisions. If you purchase a 4K or 8K TV with UHD or HDR, you can bring it in a couple of feet closer.
4. Review your viewing quality expectations.
A larger television is only better when the screen quality remains the same. If you love watching sports or playing video games, it may be better to purchase a smaller TV with a better refresh rate to reduce blur during movement. You might also prefer a model with better sound or premium features rather than a large screen with a lower resolution.
5. TV is a technology, so it is always improving.
When consumers went to stores to find big flatscreen TVs two decades ago, they spent $4,000 or more on a 40-inch plasma screen. Some customers bought DLP TVs in the $2,000 range to get something above 50 inches. If you have that much to spend today, Sony makes a 77-inch OLED 4K UHD television for your apartment.
TV technologies improve each year. If you have a television at home that still works for your needs, it may be better to wait for the next models to release. You can also save significantly on sales days, near the Christmas holiday shopping season, and during special events.
6. How many people are watching the television?
If you have a large family or host frequent social gatherings that involve watching TV, a crowded room can impact the viewing experience. It may help to have a wall-mount installation in this circumstance to get more usable space. You’ll also change the measurement calculation to 0.675 to determine the best model.
When using the 120-inch measurement from before, your apartment could have an 81-inch TV installed if you watch in crowded conditions. That means a product like the 85-inch Crystal UHD 4K TV from Samsung, which retails for less than $2,000 without a soundbar, could work well there.
What Happens If I Need to Move?
If you move to a new apartment, your television will likely come with you during the move. When you tour new places, it helps to think about viewing spaces and angles to maximize your TV-watching experience.
This brief guide is a review of the best practices for choosing the right TV for your home. If you have small spaces and prefer a large screen, a 4K UHD television of the size you desire is a better choice than a standard 1080p HD model.
0 Comments