With conventional tubes TVs, you had to sit at least 8 feet from a 32" screen to ensure a clear picture. (Any closer and you'd start to see the scanning lines that form the picture not to mention the pixelation).

Today's HD-capable TVs have higher resolution screen that let you put a larger set in your room and/or sit much closer. High-quality video material like DVD's and HDTV programs look amazing on these ets. But you may also find that the noise and distortion in lower-quality analog signals (like standard broadcast and cable TV) are exposed and magnified. That's why our viewing distance chart offers range for each screen size. If most of your viewing is DVD-quality or better, you'll see more details by sitting closer. If you watch more regular programming (non-HD) video, then sitting further back will provide a smoother picture quality.

Naturally, personal preferences factors into viewing distance, too, just like in a movie theater: some people prefer up front and some prefer to sit in the back or the middle. Over the years, I've heard of customers who wished they'd bought a larger screen HDTV..but never a smaller one. That's why I recommend buying the largest screen that fits your budget (of course!) and your room.

Suggested viewing distances for HD-capable TVs
Screen Size	Viewing Distance Range*
30"	3.75' - 6.25'
34"	4.25' - 7'
42"	5.25' - 8.75'
50"	6.25' - 10.5'
56"	7' - 11.75'
62"	7.75' - 13'
70"	8.75' - 14.75'
* a range is provided because the ideal distance will depend on factors like signal quality and personal preference.