The centerpiece of your home theater will be the television set. Flat screen TVs, whether Plasma, or LCD offer a clearer picture than the old CRT televisions. When you go to buy a TV, you'll find many options, and many different sizes. You'll want to consider a few things before you make your purchase.

Space:

How big is the space where the TV will go? Take a look at the area where you want to put the TV. You'll need to allow room around the TV for ventilation. Measure the space where you plan on putting the TV, and then subtract one foot to allow for ventilation, so if you have a space of four feet for your TV, you'll probably be able to fit a 30" to 40" television. Like all TVs, flat screen TVs are measured diagonally, so a 50" screen will measure 50" diagonally from one corner of the screen to another.

Viewing Space:

How much viewing space is there between the TV and the seats? The farther your couch or chair is from the television, the larger the screen should be. When you go to buy your TV, don't look at it from a couple of feet away. Take a few steps back, so you'll get an idea of what it will look like from a normal viewing distance.

Other Equipment:

Will there be room to install other home theater equipment? Be sure to plan on space for your other AV equipment. You don't want to fill all of your available space with a the television, and have no room for the DVD player, and your audio and home theater equipment.

Mounting:

Another factor to consider is whether your TV will be placed in an entertainment center, on a stand, or mounted on the wall. If it is to be placed on an entertainment center, be sure to leave room for ventilation. A wall mount may be a good solution, as it takes up much less space. If using a flat wall mount, then the bottom of the screen should be about a foot higher than the eye level of a seated adult. If you use a tilt wall mount, then you can place it higher.

Other considerations are a bit more subjective. You'll also want to consider how much you want to spend on your flat screen TV, and the picture quality. If you shop carefully, you could find a nice 42" TV for around $1000, or a 50" for around $2000. With a little bit of planning, and shopping around, you can make an informed decision about which TV is right for you.