I'm looking to get an HDTV soon. (I Hope)
Anyway I have no way of knowing which is the best screen size. I know they have all these formulas for picking the best size. But they are for 4:3 TV's. What are the formulas for a 16:9? I'm sitting about 10 to 12 feet from the screen and want to know the best size.
Also which TV is bigger? 36" 4:3 or 36" 16:9.
And maybe someone can tell me - what size letter box does a 36" 4:3 TV give and what size 4:3 screen does a 16:9 TV give?

Thanks

4:3 for 36" is Height = 21.6
Width = 28.8
Area = 622.08

16:9 for 36" is Height = 17.65
Width = 31.38
Area = 553.86

Of course keep in mind that when watching an anamorphic DVD, the 16:9 TV will have a larger picture.

I have no problems with the image of my SD582 widescreen from about 8-10 feet. If it were a standard interlaced 4:3, now that would be a different story.

RD

I have a 65" HDTV & watch from about 10-12 ft. away with no problems. Regular cable looks a little better from farther away. The difference between my old 32" 4x3 tv & the 65" 16x9 is huge. A 2:35:1 movie on my old tv was about 10" high by 20" wide maybe, but now it's like 32" x 60". Just look at them in a store to pick the size.