It is normal to ask many questions when looking to purchase a home cinema system: What flatscreen technology should I choose? Should I consider a projector? What about ergonomics? Which sound system is best? The list goes on. . .

But. . . There is one question that we will answer right here and now - without any of that information: What size screen should I choose? The answer is simple: the biggest!!! The only assumption we have to make to give that answer is that space isn't an issue. Providing that is correct, bigger is always better, or, to use another cliché - size does matter!

Why go to great lengths to equip your home with it's own cinema system, to only get a medium size screen? If you're anything like us, you want to amaze all your friends when they come to visit! Unless you go big, that won't happen!

Whether you choose a flatscreen or a projection system is up to you. The scope for a larger screen obviously lies with the projector, while the winner in terms of quality lies with the screen. Perhaps somewhere in the middle there is a happy medium. Of course, who wants to amaze their friends with the worlds largest screen only for the picture to be barely legible?

Why space is such a factor

You must consider space when choosing your perfect screen, and not only the space the actual screen is going to occupy. In addition to the space for the screen itself, you must bear in mind that the larger the screen, the greater the optimal viewing distance.

According to research, the optimal viewing distance is about 10cm per diagonal inch of your screen. So lets say you choose a conservative 42-inch screen; you will need to sit roughly 4 metres away from the screen in order to achieve the optimal viewing distance. Likely, you may choose something even bigger - so make sure you have enough space in your cinema room to install the seating at the optimal viewing distance.

More unanswered questions

Of course, the size in only a small part of the complete package when you choose a home cinema system. In addition to the questions mentioned earlier, you will no doubt want to know what screen resolution you should choose, should you use a stand or the wall & how to reduce glare. If you do opt for a projector, likely questions will include the importance of contrast, how much noise it will make, should the projector be placed directly infront of the screen & should it be ceiling or wall mounted?

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