Determining the size of a TV in cm by diagonal in inches

When selecting a monitor or TV panel, customers consider the picture quality, screen size, and color reproduction capabilities. It is vital to determine the most suitable TV sizes for rooms of specific dimensions.

Reasons for measuring the diagonal of the TV in inches

The measurement of TV diagonals in inches is widely used for several reasons. One of the main factors is that many household appliances are manufactured overseas, where the inch system is commonly used.

In the USSR, there were "Berezka 61Ts-311D" TVs with a diagonal measurement of 61 cm, as indicated in their name. Nowadays, Russian TV manufacturers use the European metric system to describe their products, which makes it easier for users to choose the right TV.

It becomes challenging to visualize a specific TV model when the width and height are specified. To cut costs, manufacturers and retailers of household appliances started to list the screen diagonal measurement in inches.

How to measure the diagonal

When purchasing a TV, many users do not properly measure the screen size. They mistakenly believe that the width of the display is the size of the screen, but in reality, the most important measurement is the diagonal length, which is a line drawn from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner.

It is important to note that when measuring the TV screen, the frame of the housing should not be included. Only the actual screen should be measured.

Furthermore, some Chinese TV models may have a black border around the screen, which does not display any picture when the device is turned on. This section is often not covered by a frame, giving the illusion of a larger screen size when the TV is turned off.

Discovering the diagonal measurement of the curved display becomes simpler when employing a centimeter tape. This instrument is crafted from flexible material, ensuring the matrix remains unharmed.

Relating the diagonal to the size of the TV

In addition to the screen diagonal, televisions are characterized by their aspect ratio:

Different video formats display content in different ways. A 4:3 aspect ratio has a width to height ratio of 4 to 3. This ratio is gradually being replaced by the more advanced 16:9 standard, where 16 parts of the screen width relate to 9 parts of the height.

When content is displayed on a 16:9 screen, it appears as realistic as possible, with the image’s true proportions successfully preserved.

Mathematically calculating the values of 4:3 or 16:9 can be done using the Pythagorean theorem. The equation for finding the diagonal of a rectangle is √a2+b2. For the 16:9 standard, the equation takes the following form:

• c2 = √162+92;
• c = √337 = 18.35.

Here c represents the screen’s diagonal. You can utilize it in order to ascertain the scaling factor, which is the length of one segment that divides each side into 16 or 9 sections. As an illustration, let’s suppose you want to determine the dimensions of a television with a 40 inch (102 cm) diagonal:

By knowing the length of one segment, it is quite simple to calculate the width of the screen – 5.56*16=89 cm. The height of the screen with a 40 inch diagonal is 5.56*9=50 cm. The dimensions of the device in the 4:3 format can be derived in a similar manner.

Rules for converting inches to cm

TV diagonal measurements are commonly expressed in both inches and centimeters. To convert between the two units, you can use the conversion factor of 2.54 centimeters per inch. Similarly, there are 0.393 inches in one centimeter.

To find the TV diagonal in centimeters, simply multiply the measurement in inches by 2.54. For example, a 32" TV has a diagonal size of 81.28 cm (32 x 2.54). Please note that the result is rounded up.

An inch is denoted by a double dash " (standard quotation marks). To find out the TV diagonal in inches, multiply the measured diagonal in centimeters by 0.393. For instance, if the TV diagonal is 81.28 cm, it would be equivalent to 32 inches (81.28 x 0.393).

By utilizing online conversion tools, it is possible to determine the precise dimensions of a screen. To ensure optimal viewing experience when watching movies and programs, it is crucial to accurately choose the TV’s diagonal measurement in centimeters. Refer to the provided table at the conclusion of this piece for a comprehensive range of values.

Rules for choosing the size of the TV

When purchasing a television, it is important to take into consideration the size and resolution of the screen, as well as the optimal viewing distance for the user. It is crucial to factor in the dimensions of the room and the specific placement of the viewers.

The distance between the viewer and the screen will vary depending on the size of the TV.

Depending on the format of the screen

The advent of digital television replaced the analog "4:3" aspect ratio with the 16:9 widescreen standard. The selection of the distance from viewers to the TV panel depends on these indicators:

• For devices with a 4:3 ratio, the distance should be between 3 to 5 diagonals.
• For the 16:9 format, the distance should be between 2.5 to 3 diagonals.

To comfortably view the image on a 40-inch widescreen TV, the user should be at a distance of 2.5-3 meters. If the panel is 55", it is recommended to watch it from 4 meters away. For a 32" screen, it is best to sit at a distance of 2-2.5 meters.

Depending on the resolution

When selecting a television display, it is of utmost significance to give consideration to its resolution. This characteristic indicates the quantity of points (or pixels) distributed across the display. The greater the quantity of points, the more distinct and lifelike the visual representation.

There is a distinction to be made between the resolution of the television and the resolution of the signal it plays. Signal resolutions come in different types:

• DVD – 720×576 or 720×480 pixels. This value is also referred to as 480p.
• HD – 1280×720 (720p).
• FullHD – 1920×1080 (1080p).
• UltraHD or 4k – 3840×2160.

The picture quality will be lower if the resolution of the signal transmitted to the panel is lower.

If the calculation of the distance from the user to the TV is based on a minimum resolution of 720×576 pixels, then it is important to consider the size of the screen. For higher values, the following recommendations are suggested:

• If the video is broadcast in a resolution of 1280×720, the viewer should sit at a distance that is 2.3 times the diagonal length of the screen.
• When the screen resolution is 1920×1080, it is recommended to maintain a minimum distance of 1.56 times the size of the screen matrix.
• For UltraHD resolution, viewers should position themselves 0.7 times the diagonal distance away from the TV.

The distance to the viewers is determined based on the size of the screen matrix. For instance, if the device has a diagonal size of 100 cm and a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels, it is preferable to sit at a distance of 1.56 m from the device. In the case of UltraHD resolution and a diagonal size of 120 cm, programs can be comfortably watched from a distance of 86 cm.

Depending on the size of the room

Choosing the right size of a TV device depends on the size of the room you plan to install it in. For small rooms, it is recommended to opt for devices with a smaller diagonal.

Incorrectly assessing the room’s dimensions and purchasing a large TV can lead to discomfort and faster eye fatigue while viewing. As a result, the overall TV experience won’t be satisfactory.

Here are a few reasons why watching TV too close to the screen is not ideal:

• Viewers sitting too close will notice any flaws in the picture quality, especially with a weak signal.
• Watching at a short distance can gradually weaken the viewers’ vision.
• When sitting close to a large TV, it becomes difficult to encompass the entire screen with your eyes.

When it comes to a small room, it can be quite challenging to find the right large appliances. Choosing appliances with optimal parameters becomes even more difficult in a store with spacious shopping halls. The store’s large dimensions can make TV panels on the shelves appear smaller than they actually are.

Today, there is a wide range of modern TVs available, ranging in size from 26 to 110 inches. When considering the larger sizes, such as 110 inches, the TV becomes more of a home theater experience. It is recommended that the size of the TV screen be approximately 3-4 times smaller than the distance from the screen to the viewers:

• If the distance between the TV and the sofa is 1.6 meters, it is advisable to purchase a 40" TV.
• For a distance of 2.2 meters, a 50" TV is recommended.
• For a screen size of 65", the minimum distance to viewers should be 2.6 meters.

When selecting a TV panel based on the room size, it’s important to consider that the device will be positioned away from the wall, and the distance between the back of the sofa or chair to the opposite wall also impacts the viewers.

To determine the optimal panel size beforehand, it is crucial to consider the type of content you intend to watch. For instance, if the majority of your content consists of movies, you might consider selecting a slightly larger device than the recommended size. This choice will provide users with a cinema-like experience.

On the other hand, for frequent viewing of sports channels and news, it is not advisable to purchase a large screen as it may cause the viewer to miss important information by not being able to cover the entire image with just a glance.

Table of TV diagonals (inches and centimeters)

To make it easier to choose a TV panel, you can refer to the following information: