When it comes to deciding on a screen, the first thing to think about is the type of screen you want or even may need. If the room where you are setting up your home theater is large, then you will need to have a home theater projection screen or maybe you just want one anyway.

I, personally, like the idea of having a drop-down screen, but sometimes you have to have one even in a modest home theater. It converts your living room into a home theater: you recline in your chair; click a button and a screen drops down; click a button and the lights dim; click another one and the movie begins!

However, if you prefer a television screen, then you might consider buying a new one. They say that a 27 inch screen is big enough, but I do not agree. I really think you need 48-60 inches, but then I am a baby-boomer and my eyes are definitely not what they used to be.

If you are purchasing a new TV for your home movie theater, I think you should get the latest model. HDTV is upon us and since February 2009 the USA is committed to High Definition. So, I would ensure that your new television is capable of receiving it. Then I suggest that the new home movie theater screen be a flat one in order to reduce the annoying reflections that could ruin your experience, which could be another reason for choosing a projection screen.

Finally, you should make sure that the new television has enough input and output sockets for the peripheral equipment you plan to use and you’re done. Therefore, to summarize, I recommend you choose:

More than a 27 inch screen

A flat screen

HDTV compliant

Sufficient input and output sockets

Satellite compliant

I recommend satellite compatibility because it is probably the future or near future at least. If you get a satellite TV connection you will have access to HDTV downloads which you can watch whenever you like.