Shopping for a TV is increasingly becoming a difficult undertaking nowadays. There is a lot more to check for in a TV right now than how it was a decade ago.
Thanks to technological advancement, today’s TVs come with numerous smart functions and display options that as a user, you must be very keen to ensure that you select the best choice that suits you. This can be a daunting task especially with quite a number of new brands entering the market. This guide therefore will explain what to look for when buying a TV.
The Screen & Its Resolution
One of the most important things to consider is the viewing experience – this the screen and its resolution come into play.
Resolution is the number of pixels that make up the picture on display and is described in terms of horizontal rows and vertical columns. More pixels mean a sharper picture and finer details, therefore higher resolution is better.
For many years, TVs have maintained the full HD resolution which is 1920*1080 but with the advancement of technology, brands like LG have adopted the ultra HD resolution commonly known as 4K. Typically, the Ultra HD screen has more pixels of 3840*2160 hence unlike the full HD TV small objects on the screen have more detail and images appear richer and more life-like.
High dynamic range (HDR) TVs are able to produce pictures that contain much more brightness and contrast than normal TVs, so long as they are fed HDR content that contains this extra luminance data.
Another advantage of an Ultra HD TV is the fact that you can watch the screen from a relatively shorter distance, therefore, making bigger screens ideal for smaller homes. Streaming channels such as Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, and Amazon Prime have started providing content in 4K making smart TVs with 4K resolution a go-to for many buyers.
The bottom line is the high-resolution TV is becoming a norm across the world and an excellent choice if you aren’t looking to buy another TV in years to come.
We recommend choosing from an array of technologies, such as OLED, NanoCell, UHD or even standard LED, there are still plenty of new screen technologies such as OLED and QLED. For instance, LG Electronics has the LG Nano85 86” ((available also in 65” and 55”) that has a widescreen and the latest catch.
Screen Size
This is another big factor in choosing the ideal TV for yourself. Before purchasing a TV set, consider the number of family members and the size of the TV. You should also take note of the room size and the distance of the TV from the coach.
For a HD TV, It is recommended that you sit at a distance of three times the height of the TV. For the 4K UHD one, it’s 1.5 times the height of the TV. Make sure the size you settle with fits its space well. A typical family TV would range from 42 to 65 inches.
TV Brand
Another very critical aspect is the TV Brand, because more brands provide more quality for your money than others. LG electronics for example is a respected brand all over the world that has been producing high-quality products since time immemorial.
The type of brand also determines the kind of service you get, both while buying and even after if you experience any issues. Does this brand look after all your needs? Are they ready to listen and help in case the need arises?
Smart TV or not
Gone are the days when TV content could be either through cable antennas or analog Video Home Systems (VHS) such as DVDs and VCRs. Also called a connected TV, a smart TV comes with already installed WiFi connection features that enable viewers to browse through the internet with their screens. Viewers also get to stream content from internet-based services such as Netflix and YouTube, play games online, and even go through their feeds on social media.
The interfaces are generally getting better. LG for example uses a handy bar of icons at the bottom of the screen. These streaming apps are one of the best ways to find and enjoy 4K and HDR content like movies, reality shows, music, and documentaries.
Refresh Rate
The refresh rate is the number of times a picture is refreshed on the screen per second. Refresh rate is typically measured in Hertz (Hz) with the standard refresh rate being 60 times per second. However, in a segment with fast-moving or changing objects, the 60 Hertz rate may seem insufficient thus making pictures look blurry. However, over the years, manufacturers have been able to increase the refresh rate by double to 120 while others up to 240 hertz.
Almost all new LG models boast of High-Frame Rate (HFR) support meaning they have a higher refresh rate along with added support for content with a higher than 60 Hz refresh rate.
As a shopper, we recommend buying a TV that has an upwards of 100Hz refresh rate.
Sound
It is important to note that while checking out the audio quality of your preferred TV, the higher the wattage the louder the sound produced. A louder TV especially in a spacious home is necessary for sound to hit every corner of the house.
Make sure you play different scenes with high volumes and listen to the harshness of the sound whether it’s distorted or thin. Also, test the bass delivery and if the voices sound realistic or not.
We all however agree that TVs have a poor sound which is a consequence of the thin design. The design leaves not enough room for large speakers with rich sounds to fit in. This shouldn’t be the end of the road in your quest for a crispy and high-quality sound as you can get yourself a home theatre or a soundbar.
Soundbars are popular because they can significantly improve the cinematic experience and yet be installed in minutes. The best soundbars are thin enough to fit under a TV stand without blocking the bottom of the picture. Most can also mount under a wall-hanging TV.
Ports and Connections
Presently, the main connections you need to look for in a TV are USB ports, Ethernet port, HDMIs, and multimedia support. With HDMIs try and get at least three. If you are getting a 4K resolution TV, a v2.0 HDMI 2.0s would be a better option than v1.4 HDMIs. This will also guarantee the widest compatibility with current and upcoming source equipment.
For USB ports, look for at least two, and ideally three. USB ports come in handy when playing back multimedia like photos and videos stored on USB drives therefore a very important component to look for in a TV.
Most TVs now have built-in Ethernet ports and Wi-fi so that you can connect them to the internet. Not all TVs, though, so if this is a feature you want, then make sure the TV you are about to buy supports it. Note also that some TVs have additional features like Bluetooth that help connect with external devices.
