A:   It depends on how big your room is. For a bedroom, kitchen, or office, where you'll probably be pretty close to the TV, you can go with a relatively small screen: 32" or even 26". But for the main TV in your living room or home theater, we recommend getting the largest screen that fits your budget and room. That's based on our own experiences and on feedback from our customers.

Sitting too far away from a smallish screen will reduce the impact and immediacy of the viewing experience. On the other hand, if you're too close to a large screen, you may be distracted by the screen's "pixel structure" — the grid of tiny picture elements that form the TV image. Compared to conventional tube TVs, digital HDTVs have higher-resolution screens (and more space-efficient cabinets) that let you put a larger set in your room and/or sit much closer.

High-quality video material like DVDs and HDTV programs look amazing on these new TVs. But some people also find that noise and distortion in lower-quality analog signals (like standard broadcast and cable) are exposed and magnified. That's why our viewing distance chart (below) offers a 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 (non-HD) video, sit farther back for a smoother picture.

We calculated the viewing ranges in the chart below by multiplying the screen size (measured diagonally) by 1-1/2 and 2-1/2.

Recommended viewing distances for high-definition TVs. We suggest a range because the ideal distance will depend on several factors, including signal quality.

A: Most of us grew up watching TVs with picture tubes inside, but the major TV makers have almost completely eliminated tube HDTVs. The current crop of HDTVs are based on various digital display technologies. These TVs cost more than plain old tube TVs did, but they can do a lot more, and they come in much larger screen sizes — and they continue to get better and cheaper.

When you're shopping, you'll find three basic HDTV categories:

• Flat-panel LCD and plasma TVs are extremely popular due to their thin designs and crisp, vivid picture quality. For tips on which type would work best for you please call us and we will schedule a FREE in home consultation.
• Rear-projection TVs have also made the switch from picture tubes to digital technologies like DLP. In today's market, rear-projection TVs are great values, costing much less than same-sized flat-panel models.
• Digital projectors have grown more popular recently, in part because HDTV's remarkable picture clarity and detail make it possible to enjoy larger images than ever before — up to 10 feet across or even bigger.

A plasma TV might be for you if:

• You want really rich, warm colors and deep blacks.
• You or others in the room will be sitting off-axis (viewing the screen from off to the sides rather than directly in front of it) when watching TV or movies.
• Your room setup doesn't put lots of direct light on the TV screen, or if you can easily reduce the light by closing the blinds, for example.
• You don't watch a lot of TV shows or play lots of video games with static images on the screen for more than a few hours at a time.

An LCD TV might be for you if:

• You want a TV with a screen size under 42".
• Your TV room is relatively bright, or you do a lot of daytime viewing.
• You watch a lot of TV shows or play lots of video games with static images on the screen for extended periods of time, multiple days a week.
• You're looking for ways to save energy. LCD TVs often consume less power than plasma models of the same size.

Interlaced scan splits each video frame into two "fields," displaying all the even horizontal scan lines (2,4,6...) in 1/60th of a second, followed by the odd scan lines (1,3,5...) during the next 1/60th of a second. That means you'll see a complete video frame every 1/30th of a second.

Progressive scan, on the other hand, displays all the lines in a single sweep (1,2,3,4...). You'll see a complete frame every 1/60th of a second.

Today's digital TV displays are nearly all effectively progressive-scan, so interlaced and progressive are mostly relevant when describing video source signals sent to the TV. The main thing to remember is that a progressive signal has twice as much picture information as an equivalent interlaced signal, and generally looks a little more solid and stable, with on-screen motion that's more fluid.

A:  Of course, Carolina Custom Sound has highly trained technicians at your disposal and waiting to help.  We currently perform Plasma/LCD Television, Home Theater, Projector installations in the Winston Salem, Greensboro, High Point and surrounding areas.  We serve both the residential and commercial markets and have thousands of products at your fingertips.  You can contact us via email or phone with the information listed below.  Thanks for you interest in Carolina Custom Sound