TV Buying Guide: What To Look For When Buying a TV

Whether you are after a TV with modern gaming capabilities or hope to dive head-first into the world of smart TVs and their clever features that allow them to effortlessly integrate into your smart home set-up, finding the perfect TV to suit your household needs is simpler than you may think.

Size Matters

You won’t be faulted for believing that bigger displays are always better in the world of television. For the most part, this is true, but that doesn’t always mean you have to spring for the largest display you can find.

While 75-inch TVs are dominating the current market, you will only get the full cinematic experience if you have the space to accommodate their large size. Generally speaking, you need to have at least six feet between the television and your couch for proper viewing.

Additionally, larger televisions will always carry a much higher price tag, which will continue to grow with additional features like a smart TV interface, high processing rates, low lag input, and numerous ports, to name a few.

Screen Resolution

TV resolution is defined by the number of picture elements or pixels on the screen, from top to bottom and side to side. A higher resolution means you are less likely to see distracting dots while watching a movie or your favorite series.

Standard definition was all the rage in the 1990s and early 2000s before high definition broke into the market. Today, 4K resolution is largely considered to be the standard for most modern TVs, virtually eliminating high-definition models from retailers. However, the true benefits of 4K television are typically more challenging to see and appreciate on a display smaller than 55 inches.

It is important to note that more pixels don’t always translate to a better picture. TV picture processors can struggle to deliver a decent image if there is too much to work through. Color accuracy and a smooth transition between color and black that maintains detail and clarity should be your primary focus.

Sound Quality

TV speakers have improved significantly over the years, with big brands like Samsung paying closer attention to delivering audio that is crisp, clear, and loud enough to actually hear what is going on. But in many cases, the sound of your television will not be as good as that of a soundbar or entertainment center speaker.

The beauty of a simple soundbar is that it delivers quality audio without the time, expense, and hassle of a full-blown home entertainment center. They are designed to deliver the same effects of surround sound in a smaller and more condensed package, with a cheaper price tag to boot.

Backlighting

Most televisions, with the exception of OLED models, use a clever combination of LED backlighting, which passes through a multi-layer substrate, to build the picture you see on your display. One layer is dedicated to creating the color and image, while another provides the light needed to see the image, all controlled by a TV’s internal processor. These systems significantly impact how good the screen looks in terms of contrast between light and dark objects.

In comparison, OLED displays use individual pixels that act as their own backlight, allowing for perfect contrast for both black and color. However, despite their hefty price tag, one of the most significant downsides to this unique technology is that they typically don’t get as bright as top-range LED models.

Gaming Features

If you are an avid gamer and are looking for the ideal television to support your passion, there are two crucial factors to consider when selecting a model: refresh rate and input lag. Many standard TVs have a refresh rate of 60Hz, which, in layman’s terms, means that they can display 60 images on the screen per minute. However, most modern consoles and games can support up to 120 frames per second, and purchasing a television that supports this will ensure a smooth and fluid response.

Furthermore, input lag is a term that describes the time it takes for your movement on a controller or keyboard to register on the screen. The lower this number is, the better, especially if you enjoy fast-paced games that require speedy interactions, like many first-person shooter games.

Alongside quality gaming features, it is crucial to select a TV model with adequate ports to accommodate gaming consoles, PCs, and other devices you may want to connect to your television that do not have wireless connectivity.

Wall Mount vs Table Top

Sitting a TV on top of a television unit or low bookshelf cabinet is the easier option, but you need to ensure that it is stable and secured properly to a base. This is especially important in households with small children or pets that could easily knock it over or pull it down. Ensuring this safety measure will give you peace of mind and a sense of responsibility.

Alternatively, mounting a TV on the wall looks neater and is a fantastic solution for smaller rooms that lack the floor space for additional furniture pieces. However, it is essential to remember that accessing various connection points and finding a practical way to keep unsightly wires hidden is more challenging with wall-mounted TVs.