Your Ultimate TV Buying Guide: How to Choose the Perfect Display
Purchasing a new TV takes more time than you expect and is not as simple as it appears. There are thousands of various TV models on the market, each with its own set of resolutions, sizes, refresh rates, and other features. You should be aware of these specifications and what they imply for your TV viewing experience. The good news is that we have developed a list of factors to consider before purchasing a television to ensure you get the greatest deal and purchase a television that you will enjoy for many years.
Display type
Not all TVs use the same display technology, and the market is divided into four key display types.
As you can see, LED displays are booming in the market due to their power efficiency and attractive display. But what are the differences between these displays?
You should choose a TV with an LCD display if you want the most value for your money. If you are looking for an inexpensive but acceptable option, LCD TVs will surely cover what you pay for them.LCD screens use backlight technology to display the image, this can lead to backlight bleeding at the edges or corners, which is not preferable.
LED stands for “Light Emitting Diode” and is a light used to emit different colors when powered by a current. An LED screen offers superior picture quality and is more power-efficient than an LCD screen. LEDs are better since they use light-emitting diodes as their backlights instead of fluorescent tubes. As LEDs are so cost-efficient and produce much better quality than other competitors, most TVs use LEDs or variants of LEDs.
Screens of this type are developed by Samsung and are called “Quantum LED.” QLEDs are more expensive than regular LEDs. This is due to the fact that QLED has the best performance and picture quality. These are some of the actual benefits you get from choosing QLED:
OLEDs, or organic light-emitting diodes, are another type of screen found in many high-end TVs. The OLED TVs are more expensive, but they do have one advantage over the QLED variant, which is that the light pixels on the OLED can be controlled individually. As compared to QLED screens, OLED screens offer better contrast, which means deeper blacks and better viewing performance. Moreover, OLED TVs consume less energy and are ideal for gaming.
Resolution
In order to get the best picture on your TV, you must consider the quality of your TV’s image. The resolution refers to how many pixels fit on your TV. In general, the more pixels you have, the more detailed the image will be.
For example, a TV with a resolution of 1080p has a 1920 x 1080 mode, which means that there are 1920 pixels displayed horizontally and 1080 pixels displayed vertically.
Lower-end TVs have an HD (720p) resolution, which isn’t the finest resolution anymore but is adequate for saving money. The vast majority of TVs with this resolution will be no more than 32 inches. Although 720p TVs are still sold today and have respectable quality, the difference between a 720p and a 1080p TV is still obvious, with the 1080p TV having higher clarity and sharpness.
Full HD, or 1080p, is the most common resolution found in most TVs because it provides a clear and attractive image at an affordable price. FHD televisions have 1920 horizontal pixels and 1080 vertical pixels. Lots of content, such as games, movies, and TV shows, still only support 1080p resolution, making a TV with this resolution an excellent choice.
Modern TVs come with 4K resolution, which offers better picture quality and detail than standard Full HD TVs. There are almost four times as many pixels in 4K TVs as there are in full HD TVs, which means that the image quality is going to be better. While 4K and 1080p have different image quality, other specs, such as the display type and refresh rate, also impact the image quality.
Refresh rate
The refresh rate of your display indicates how many times your TV can display an image in a second. The refresh rate is measured in Hz (hertz). In most electronic displays, 60 Hz is the standard refresh rate. Some panels may reach 120 or 240 Hz refresh rates, and the higher the refresh rate, the higher the cost. Higher refresh rates will result in a smoother and more fluid image, which is an essential factor to consider.
The standard refresh rate is 60Hz, which will be acceptable if you view typical TV content. If you’re using older game consoles like the PS4 or XBOX One, a 60Hz TV is the best option because the consoles don’t support 120Hz. Most movies are filmed at 24 fps (frames per second), and most TV shows are at 60 Hz, this makes a TV with 60 Hz acceptable.
A 120Hz refresh rate TV will be much smoother and have less blurriness than a 60Hz TV. 120 Hz TVs are ideal for watching fast-paced entertainment such as football, basketball, and other sports. Make sure the content or gaming consoles you are using can display at 120 Hz and that the HDMI cables you are using are compatible with 120 Hz.
Size
The size of your new TV will impact the cost and viewing experience. You should consider a few factors before deciding on the size of your new television. You want to avoid buying a TV that won’t fit on your desk or in your room. TVs are measured in inches from one lower corner to the opposite upper corner.
How far away are you sitting from the TV:
Large TV displays are ideal for people who sit far away from their televisions. Sitting too near to a TV screen not only hurts your eyes but also limits what you view because your eyes can’t cover the entire screen.
Size of the room:
You want to be sure that your new TV will fit in your room and that the location where you will put it will complement the room’s look. Most people place their TVs on a Tv desk, so determining whether your TV can fit the desk and stand on it is essential. You might also mount the television on the wall or the ground if you choose.
Ports
Buying a TV with enough ports will allow you to connect multiple devices, such as gaming consoles, ethernet cables, TV boxes, Chromecast, and more, to your TV. In a modern TV, you will find the following ports:
HDMI
An HDMI port is the most common input on a TV today, allowing you to transfer video and audio. The reason HDMI is used is that it allows for great data transfer and enables you to view content in high resolution and at a fast refresh rate.
Ethernet
The Ethernet port on a TV is a great feature because it enables wired internet connections, which will be of great help when streaming movies and watching YouTube videos. This type of port will be available on all smart TVs.
USB port
A USB connection on your TV is also advantageous because it allows you to connect various gadgets to it. LED lights on the back of your TV, multimedia files, firmware upgrades, or any streaming/casting device such as the Amazon Firestick are examples of these accessories.
Coaxial input
Coaxial cables are required when connecting a satellite dish or an antenna to your television. The coaxial input is round and this sort of port is accessible on most TVs. If you plan on receiving channels via antenna, be sure your TV has this type of connection or purchase any adapters that are required.
TV accessories that you might need
It’s not just about getting a powerful and expensive TV that makes for a great experience. It is also important to invest in a few essential accessories to make watching TV more enjoyable. Below are some accessories you might need to consider for your new TV.
Your new thin and beautiful TV might have excellent image quality, but it might lack an acceptable audio sound, which is why some TVs require a soundbar or sound system. Besides offering a great TV experience, soundbars can also serve as Bluetooth speakers.
Whether you are connecting a gaming console or other electronics to your TV, such as DVD players or Blu-ray players, you will need some cables. Choose an HDMI cable or other display cable that suits your needs since HDMI cables support different refresh rates and resolutions. It’s also a good idea to buy an Ethernet cable if you intend to watch movies on your TV. This will help you get a much better connection to the internet and a better viewing experience.
Make sure you subscribe to a streaming service of your choice since today’s majority of TV viewing occurs on streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, etc. To watch shows or programs other than those available on apps such as YouTube, you need either good cable TV, network TV, or streaming services.
Chromecast allows you to broadcast apps and programs from your smartphone or laptop to your television. There is no monthly subscription for streaming programs and entertainment from your phone to your TV with Chromecast. Setting up a Chromecast is simple, and maintaining it is even simpler, so purchasing one for your new TV is recommended.