Big screen TVs and home cinema projectors - Grand Designs magazine

Big screen TVs and projectors: an expert guide

Know your HDRs from your OLEDs with this expert guide to the latest big screen TVs

By Chris Haslam |

Only a decade ago, many televisions were hulking great cathode-ray tube (CRT) boxes that dominated the room. This would require sturdy furniture to support them and several people to move them. After that came liquid crystal display (LCD) and plasma screen televisions, which took up a fraction of the space. However, it cost more than a car and had generally disappointing picture quality. What a difference a few years can make.

With the advent of smartphones, tablets and streaming services, TV manufacturers have been forced to catch up. Recent years have seen phenomenal advances in set design, screen quality, sound, compatibility and usability. Even the most advanced models are intuitive, so no matter where you find your content – Netflix, Sky, YouTube or terrestrial channels – you’ll be able to access it at the touch of a button, or the sound of your voice.

This article contains some affiliate links, from which we may earn a small commission
Panasonic 50 inch screen in cream living space with houseplants

Panasonic’s 50in JX850 Series 4K UHD LED TV has Dolby Atmos sound and universal HDR, so it adjusts the screen to the optimal settings for the source (Netflix or Blu-ray for example)

New resolutions

Since the adoption of the flat panel TV, screen technology has evolved, with resolutions always improving. Huge 4K ultra high-definition (UHD) televisions are commonplace, with some 43in designs costing less than £300. 4K screens boast amazing image quality, with four times the number of pixels of a 1080p full HD TV screen. But with most new sets having it as standard – and 8K not yet mainstream – manufacturers have started to develop new technologies that promise even better image quality.

LED is the most affordable screen, offering a bright, punchy picture, a lightweight build and a wide range of sizes. OLED (organic light emitting diode) is a technology developed by LG with exceptional contrast because each pixel has its own backlight. The result is smooth motion, deep blacks and vibrant colours all housed in a thin frame.

Regarded as the best image quality available, these TVs are expensive. QLED (quantum dot LED TV) from Samsung is an updated version of LED, with a brighter picture. It also works well with still images, allowing you to show them when it’s in standby mode. Meanwhile, the external light is absorbed by the display to reduce glare. Plus, it’s more affordable than OLED.

Samsung recently added Neo QLED to its line-up, which uses tiny LED bulbs in the screen to help improve motion and contrast control. LG has its own mini-LED range called QNED, which is more affordable than its OLED TVs, but still offers excellent image quality.

Philips 4K OLED TV

With AI image processing and high-fidelity Dolby Atmos audio, the Philips OLED+936 is a premium 4K OLED TV available in 48in, 55in and 65in models

How big?

Screen sizes have increased enormously. In 1997 the average American TV was just 22in, but by 2020 it was 49in according to a survey by the Consumer Technology Association. These days 85in screens are widely available, while LG recently demonstrated DVLED TVs measuring up to 325in in the USA.

The size you need depends on the dimensions and layout of your room. Ideally, the viewing distance should be roughly 1.5 times the size of your screen if you’re buying a set with 1080p full HD resolution. Sit any closer and the picture will look grainy. 4K and 8K sets look good even up close, so you can go as big as your space allows.

To find the optimal screen size for a particular room, try an online calculator such as inchcalculator.com. But if you’re investing in a quality 4K screen, choose whatever size suits your space and style.

Futuristic 325 inch cutom-installed TV in spacious living room with bifold doors

A glimpse into the future from the USA, this enormous LG DVLED TV is custom-installed and available in screen sizes up to 325in, offering pixel-perfect viewing

Only a decade ago, many televisions were hulking great cathode-ray tube (CRT) boxes that dominated the room. This would require sturdy furniture to support them and several people to move them. After that came liquid crystal display (LCD) and plasma screen televisions, which took up a fraction of the space. However, it cost more than a car and had generally disappointing picture quality. What a difference a few years can make.

With the advent of smartphones, tablets and streaming services, TV manufacturers have been forced to catch up. Recent years have seen phenomenal advances in set design, screen quality, sound, compatibility and usability. Even the most advanced models are intuitive, so no matter where you find your content – Netflix, Sky, YouTube or terrestrial channels – you’ll be able to access it at the touch of a button, or the sound of your voice.

This article contains some affiliate links, from which we may earn a small commission
Panasonic 50 inch screen in cream living space with houseplants

Panasonic’s 50in JX850 Series 4K UHD LED TV has Dolby Atmos sound and universal HDR, so it adjusts the screen to the optimal settings for the source (Netflix or Blu-ray for example)

New resolutions

Since the adoption of the flat panel TV, screen technology has evolved, with resolutions always improving. Huge 4K ultra high-definition (UHD) televisions are commonplace, with some 43in designs costing less than £300. 4K screens boast amazing image quality, with four times the number of pixels of a 1080p full HD TV screen. But with most new sets having it as standard – and 8K not yet mainstream – manufacturers have started to develop new technologies that promise even better image quality.

LED is the most affordable screen, offering a bright, punchy picture, a lightweight build and a wide range of sizes. OLED (organic light emitting diode) is a technology developed by LG with exceptional contrast because each pixel has its own backlight. The result is smooth motion, deep blacks and vibrant colours all housed in a thin frame.

Regarded as the best image quality available, these TVs are expensive. QLED (quantum dot LED TV) from Samsung is an updated version of LED, with a brighter picture. It also works well with still images, allowing you to show them when it’s in standby mode. Meanwhile, the external light is absorbed by the display to reduce glare. Plus, it’s more affordable than OLED.

Samsung recently added Neo QLED to its line-up, which uses tiny LED bulbs in the screen to help improve motion and contrast control. LG has its own mini-LED range called QNED, which is more affordable than its OLED TVs, but still offers excellent image quality.

Philips 4K OLED TV

With AI image processing and high-fidelity Dolby Atmos audio, the Philips OLED+936 is a premium 4K OLED TV available in 48in, 55in and 65in models

How big?

Screen sizes have increased enormously. In 1997 the average American TV was just 22in, but by 2020 it was 49in according to a survey by the Consumer Technology Association. These days 85in screens are widely available, while LG recently demonstrated DVLED TVs measuring up to 325in in the USA.

The size you need depends on the dimensions and layout of your room. Ideally, the viewing distance should be roughly 1.5 times the size of your screen if you’re buying a set with 1080p full HD resolution. Sit any closer and the picture will look grainy. 4K and 8K sets look good even up close, so you can go as big as your space allows.

To find the optimal screen size for a particular room, try an online calculator such as inchcalculator.com. But if you’re investing in a quality 4K screen, choose whatever size suits your space and style.

Futuristic 325 inch cutom-installed TV in spacious living room with bifold doors

A glimpse into the future from the USA, this enormous LG DVLED TV is custom-installed and available in screen sizes up to 325in, offering pixel-perfect viewing

Know the essential jargon

  • Smart TV – Almost all sets now come with Wi-Fi connectivity and smart functionality, meaning you can download streaming and catch-up apps such as iPlayer and Netflix.
  • PVR – A personal video recorder is a common feature of set-top boxes such as Sky Q. Having a hard drive built into your TV means that you can record shows and movies to watch later. Twin-tuner PVRs can record two shows at once.
  • Freeview Play – A great system for watching terrestrial channels, as it enables you to scroll through the previous week’s TV from within its programme guide.
  • Voice control – Press the mic button on the remote, or use a specific key phrase, and you can ask your TV to change channels, adjust the volume, search for films or open streaming apps.
  • HDR – Most new 4K sets have High Dynamic Range, but it’s a useful extra as it improves contrast and offers better colour reproduction, making whites crisper and blacks deeper.

Sound and vision

Flatscreen televisions have flawless picture quality, but their ultra-thin panels can disappoint when it comes to sound. Manufacturers are working hard to make improvements. Philips has recently partnered with audio specialist Bowers & Wilkins. Their flagship Ambilight 48OLED935 model features a high-quality sound system built into the stand. Sony’s impressive Acoustic Surface technology is on show in the Bravia XR XR55A80J, which essentially turns the screen into a speaker.

To improve the sound from your flatscreen and create a more immersive cinema experience, invest in surround sound speakers. By carefully positioning them and combining with Dolby processing (the sound data) from your TV or AV receiver, you can hear the action move around the room and, with Dolby Atmos, over your head. Virtual surround sound from soundbars can be surprisingly good without cluttering up your living room. A soundbar sits in front of the screen and projects audio around the room, while also doubling up as speakers. These often also have voice control and multi-room capabilities.

Along with its superb QLED technology and 4K resolution, the 43in Samsung Frame displays art and photos when in standby. Choose from five colours, two frame profiles, and the option to include My Shelf, a purpose-built display board.

Seamless fitting multi-room audio system with soundbar on wooden floor

Compact, stylish and slotting seamlessly into a Sonos multi-room audio system, the Beam Gen 2 soundbar features Dolby Atmos for realistic 3D sound

Mini multiplex

Portable projectors have improved a lot in the past few years. You can now enjoy a 100in screen streaming the latest from your favourite platform, with built-in speakers and remote control via your smartphone, for just a few hundred pounds. The battery-powered Nebula Capsule (seenebula.com) is no bigger than a can of fizzy drink.

These go-anywhere models are ideal as a second TV for the house. While they don’t have the resolution to match a 4K TV or a full-sized projector, they’re great for binge-watching in bed. Short-throw all-in-one designs such as the LG Cinebeam can sit just inches from the wall, but still project a huge image, and disappear into a cupboard when not in use.

All in one 4k projector on wooden table in front of cosy sofa

The Nebula Cosmos Max is an all-in-one 4K projector capable of a 150in screen with automatic focus and alignment, 360-degree sound and Android TV streaming

Go big and stay home

For some, a home cinema experience simply has to be just that; a specialist room delivering the full, immersive, cinematic environment within the comfort of your own home.

‘Today, delivering the best experience involves so much more than just a screen and a projector,’ said Simon Clarke of Clarke Infinity, which celebrated 35 years in the home cinema industry in 2021. ‘It’s about creating the best possible visual and acoustic dynamic in luxury. What we are creating in people’s home now is actually even better than what they might experience at a multiplex cinema.’

Ideally, he says, the seating distance should be three times the height of the display to allow for a 33° horizontal viewing angle and an 18° vertical viewing angle for displays with 1080p resolution. That allows you to experience the immersion effect without losing detail in their peripheral vision.

Try pairing the Sim2 Nero 4S DLP 4K UHD Image Resolution Projector with the Kaleidescape 4K Ultra HD Movie Player and Wisdom Audio Sage Cinema Line Source Planar Magnetic Cinema Speakers. You might also like to add a subwoofer and amplifier for the ultimate surround-sound cinematic experience.

Home cinema set up immersive experience

Photo: Cliqq Studios

Secret cinema

Enjoy a big screen home cinema without cluttering up your space with these tips from Jools Browning of Brownhen Solutions:

  • If you want a home cinema in a multifunctional room, specify speakers that are built into the ceiling or walls and plastered over. Subwoofers can be hidden in the wall with just a small port in the skirting board. Make sure you choose a TV that appears from behind a panel.
  • Drop-down projectors and projector screens offer the least visible solution. Remember to factor in blackout blinds as projectors don’t work as well as the latest backlit TVs in bright spaces.
  • If the room is also used for gaming, a TV might be better as there’s less lag from the input sources, offering a smoother experience, and not everyone wants to watch the news on a projector. It’s not unusual to have a TV and a projector, with a screen dropping down in front of the TV when required.
  • Remember to factor in storage for the technology needed to run your home cinema. This includes AV receivers, amplifiers, set-top boxes, games consoles and media players. A member of Cedia, the Custom Electronics Design and Installation Association, will be able to advise on the best option for your space and budget.
Outdoor projector on white background

Designed for outdoor use, the battery-powered BenQ GS50 portable DLP projector has 1080p full HD resolution, loud 2.1 stereo sound, Android TV for seamless streaming

SCROLL FOR MORE LIKE THIS