Shopping for a TV set may seem simple but it involves a ton of choices that can easily frustrate buyers. These days, there’s plenty of new technologies to choose from, such as Ultra HD, 4K, and others that promise brilliant picture detail that surpasses HDTVs. Many people may have also heard about various features, such HDR with guarantees of lifelike colors and dynamic images. It’s a lot to take in.
It (literally) pays to know more about TVs when in the market for a new one. However, not everyone is aware of where to focus, such as in terms of picture quality and key features.
What’s the Best TV Resolution to Pick?
The affordable resolutions that many may already know are 720p, 1080p, and 1080i. The letters I and P tell describe whether the TV uses the interlaced or progressive method of scanning the picture. Meanwhile, the numbers show the number of lines that generate the image. What does that mean? Simply put, more lines means better picture.
While budget is an important consideration, the best selection is 1080p since both 720p and 1080i are older and slowly giving way to TVs with a higher resolution. With a 1080p TV, it’s easier than ever to have a great viewing experience. There are have several options for content to watch nowadays as well. However, if planning to buy a 32-inch TV or smaller, there is really not much difference between 720p and 1080p.
New Resolutions to Watch Out For
Technology never stands still, which is why consumers will now see other high-res TVs, including the 4K TV. It may not even take long before 8K sets become commonplace. 4K Ultra High Definition (UHD) sets now have 3840×2160 lines and 8k UHD can astonishingly give 7680×4320 lines!
Does Size Matter with TVs?
The short answer is yes. It is perhaps the most significant consideration when selecting a television. Aside from personal preference, consumers should also factor in visual acuity and field of view. The screen measures diagonally, ranging in various sizes from less than 20 inches to over 80 inches. Choosing the screen size often has to do with budget and where it will be placed. If it’s for the kitchen or a small room, 24 to 32 inches are great choices.
If the television will feature prominently in a bedroom or living room, 50 to 65 inches is a better option. A bigger set will work well in spacious family rooms, especially if seating arrangements are further away from the set.
Budget Considerations and Sales
With an unlimited budget, there is no limit to TV options. However, savvy shoppers often like to wait for a good deal. Waiting until the holidays are over is one of the best way to get fantastic prices. Black Friday shoppers may enjoy a sizeable price cut. The holiday season up to the New Year will also give prospective buyers great reductions in costs.
What is the Optimal Refresh Rate?
In general, faster is always better. This is especially true when it comes to the TV’s refresh rate. How does this work? Numbers are expressed in Hertz (Hz). They represent the number of times the set refreshes the picture per second. While 60Hz is the standard, quick-moving scenes will look blurry with this refresh rate. 120Hz is often the baseline; in other words, people who want a more solid picture should not go below this number.
OLED vs. LED
LED TVs are based on liquid crystal display (LCD) technology that has been around for several years. Organic light emitting diode (OLED) may be new but it is already lauded for its high-quality picture effects. One of the biggest differences between these two options is in the viewing angle. In other words, OLED TVs have virtually no limitation while LCDs present the best pictures right in front of the screen.
If watching from the side, above, or below the central part of the image, viewers will find that it becomes dimmer and loses contrast. Its color accuracy may also decrease. However, it doesn’t mean OLED is always preferable to LED. LED TV sets are often more affordable set and still offer a wide array of features and sizes. Furthermore, they’re still visible even when in a sunny room.
Those wanting a picture with colors that truly pop, along with better contrast and detail than LCDs, might find an OLED is worth the cost increase.
How Important is the Brand?<.h3>
Most consumers choose from the big four TV brands: LG, Samsung, Panasonic, and Sony. Samsung is currently the market leader with LG closely behind it. These brands have a wide range of high-end sets, as well as affordable ones. Other popular brands include Sharp, Philips, and Toshiba.
Often, it is better to test the TV based on their individual merits and not purchase for the brand alone. Some perform consistently while others have systems and designs that are preferable over the others.
In the end, personal preference and budget have a lot to do with television purchases. Along with these two, people should consider the room where it will be installed, the content that will be watched (live sports, games, etc.), and the technology that best suits personal style.
