The number of small TVs being released by manufacturers is dwindling, but does that mean that smaller screens are going to disappear? Smaller TVs don’t deliver the sound, picture and capabilities of larger models, so it stands to reason that consumers are turning their backs on the classic 32” TVs in favour of bigger screens.
With streaming more popular than ever, people are much more likely to use their laptop or tablet as a small screen for watching TV rather than buying a TV screen of the same size. But has the small TV truly had its day? Or is there still a market and a purpose for these models?
Cinema from Home
People want more from their TVs these days; they want a cinematic experience right from the comfort of their own living room. With surround sound systems cheaper than ever and a crazy amount of new film releases available on streaming services in HD or even 4K, more people than ever can afford systems that make going out to the cinema redundant.
The COVID-19 pandemic may also accelerate this phenomenon. When cinemas were forced to close, some film studios released their films digitally for a cost, so people could still enjoy new releases at a time when they couldn’t go to the cinema.
Trolls World Tour made more money for Universal in just three weeks after being made available online than the first film Trolls made in five months in cinemas. So clearly there is an appetite for people being comfortable watching new releases at home – perhaps some people even prefer it. A few studios already have plans to continue releasing films directly to consumers at home, so we could see an even further shift in the popularity of bigger, higher-resolution screens in response to these changes.
The Rise of 4K
Another reason people are abandoning smaller TVs is due to the rising popularity of 4K screens. While they still lag behind HD in terms of sales, more streaming services are producing films and TV shows in this ultra-high resolution for people to enjoy at home. This is likely only to increase as time goes on, meaning more people will want to future-proof their screens with a 4K TV purchase.
TV screens need to be large for you to benefit from 4K. For a smaller 4K screen to work, you would need to sit very close to it to notice the detail. Most people are not going to be seated close enough to their smaller screens to see any of the extra resolution 4K provides. As manufacturers place more of their focus on larger models, it is unlikely smaller TV sets will ever catch up in 4K technology.
The Perfect Sized TV for the Living Room
If you feel that your living room TV might be a little too small for your needs, you might want to invest in a new one. However, buying the biggest model possible is not a good idea, as the size of the room is very important. You need to be able to sit a certain distance away from the screen to fully benefit from the resolution, and this distance is based on your field of view. There’s a reason why the worst seats at the cinema are right at the front.
For smaller 40” to 43” screens, a distance of about eight feet is needed, whereas larger 65” models need around 13 to 14 feet distance for optimal viewing.
So, if your living room isn’t large enough to accommodate optimal viewing distance, then you may need to opt for a smaller screen, or a larger screen if you’re currently sitting further away than the ideal distance.
Kitchen and Bedroom TVs
While bigger TVs grow in popularity, there’s still a place for small TVs, namely in rooms like the kitchen and the bedroom. Most people will want their big “main” TV in their living room but are still happy to have a TV in their bedroom for night-time or early morning viewing, or in the kitchen so they can watch something while preparing a meal.
For these rooms, smaller screens are often more suitable due to a lack of space, or because you want the best TV for the living room as that’s where you will do most of your viewing.
Whether you decide to upgrade to a larger model or want to pick out a smaller screen for your kitchen, at Cheap TVs we have everything you’re looking for. You can browse our range of cheap smart TVs and cheap LED TVs today. We offer unbeatable prices on the latest 4K, smart, 3D and curved TV models. Contact us today to find out more.
