Tips On Buying A Next-Gen TV
Buying a TV for your home can be an overwhelming experience, especially considering the number of choices on offer. Will you choose the feature-packed model or the one that suits your style aesthetic in your designer home? In my latest article, I will offer helpful tips to guide you down this treacherous path!
As technology advances at an incredible rate, it’s natural to feel lost among the vast array of specs and unfamiliar acronyms associated with modern-day TVs.
Many uninformed consumers often make a poor purchase and then end up keeping it due to the logistical issue of returning a TV.
However, once you have done a small amount of research (by reading this lifestyle blog article, for example!), you will understand the basics of what to look for, and the whole process will be far easier to manage. You will also have a massive confidence boost when talking to the sales staff in-store (rather than being confused by their unnecessary jargon!).
So whether you want to stream your favourite shows on a 4K LED TV or are looking to rock your senses with the ultimate 98-inch TV ideal for gaming (imagine destroying the opposition on such a screen!), there is the perfect set for everyone, no matter their preference.
Screen Size
The size of your TV will undoubtedly be one of the biggest factors influencing your decision when upgrading to a new model. However, there is a trick when selecting the perfect size: discovering the sweet spot using various characteristics.
Firstly, determine how many people will be watching the TV at any time and decide where to position the set in the chosen room. Additionally, you need to consider the distance between the television and your sofa—for a calculation, it should be three times more than the height of a normal HD screen or only 1.5 times the screen height of more advanced 4K ultra HD models.
Take this guidance to help you choose the largest screen size that fits the selected area (and that falls within your budget). Experts state that after considering price, performance and the size of an average modern-day living room, you will likely need a set that sits between 55 and 75 inches in size.
Resolution
Next, we move into a more technical area in terms of screen quality. The resolution describes the number of pixels that create the image on the screen, using a combination of horizontal and vertical lines. If the TV uses more pixels, you will receive a much sharper image showcasing details with extra clarity. So, when selecting your new set, it is best to opt for a higher resolution screen (which will also be more future-proofed).
After consumers moved away from the classic workhorse CRT (cathode ray tube) and onto LCD screens, the tech advanced quite quickly, and many retailers began offering so-called ‘HD Ready‘ TVs, which only offered 720 lines of resolution. But they were quickly phased out in favour of Full HD sets (and their 1920 X 1080 screens).
However, there has been a giant leap forward once more with a rapid shift to Ultra HD sets (otherwise known as 4K). As you can imagine by the name, these particular models offer 4 X the number of pixels as your standard HDTV screens.
One significant benefit of 4K is that you can see much more detail in your favourite movies and shows (even making text clearer). However, many actors and actresses have publicly expressed concern about this new technology, which will show all their imperfections to the masses!
You can take advantage of 4K by using Blu-Ray discs or streaming via one of the many online services available (such as Netflix, Prime or Now TV).
High Dynamic Range (HDR)
High Dynamic Range allows you to see a wider range of colours (that are more natural and lifelike), vibrant highlights, and broader contrast that make movies and television shows really pop (as long as they support HDR).
There is actually a variety of different industry standards listed here –
- HDR
- Dolby Vision
- HDR10
- HDR10+
Each version enhances an image’s darkest and brightest areas, allowing the viewer to see a crisper presentation. Whereas HDR10 is the standard on all modern sets, Dolby Vision and HDR10+ are typically only on the most advanced TVs on the market, and both are rivals on the scene (with HDR10+ gaining popularity thanks to the push from Samsung).
Whichever format you choose, you will be safe knowing that you have a feature-packed set that allows you to tweak the brightness, contrast, and colour, guaranteeing an amazing viewing experience.
Backlighting
All new-age TVs (barring OLED displays) utilise a combination of LED backlighting that is passed through a multi-layer substrate. An internal processing system controls each layer – one for colour and image and another to light up the screen so it is visible. Top-quality backlighting systems can take your viewing experience to the next level, upgrading the contrast on the LED screen.
If you are considering a budget TV, you will likely encounter Edge lighting, which uses a ring of lights around the screen to illuminate your display. Alternatively, Direct-lit TVs provide a backlight behind the screen, which delivers an overall brighter screen than the cheaper edge-lit models.
Some models include a local dimming function, which uses multiple LEDs to automatically adjust the brightness for light or dark scenes to provide the best visual experience.
Lastly, we have OLED displays, which incorporate individual pixels that act as their own backlight, ensuring a flawless contrast effect (unfortunately, the downside is that they are typically not as bright as premium LED televisions on the market).
Ports
One of the most crucial factors to check for when searching for a new TV is how many HDMI input connections are provided. It may be a simple thing to overlook, but you quickly use them all after connecting your games consoles, a Chromecast and a soundbar. Always select a TV with at least four HDMI 2.0 ports (or the newer HDMI 2.1 format for future proofing).
Many brands attempt to cut small costs by reducing the number of ports on your set, so it’s good practice to double-check before spending the cash.
Gaming Features
If you are like me, it is likely you will be planning to use your TV for gaming – experts in the field commonly recommend you check out the refresh rate and input lag of any potential model you are looking at. Most TVs feature a refresh rate of 60 Hz (meaning that the display will happily reach 60 frames a second).
Modern consoles such as the PS5 or Xbox Series X support up to a staggering 120 frames a second, creating a super smooth motion effect that looks more fluid and feels extra responsive in the thick of the action.
Input lag is crucial if you plan on gaming heavily (especially more difficult or retro-style games), as it is how long it takes for the movement on your controller to register on the screen. Always choose the lowest lag time available, as it will produce a much better game time. Many modern TVs offer 15 milliseconds of input; however, LG OLED models knock this out of the park with an astonishing 1ms input lag (which is almost a perfect latency).
Soundbars
It is pretty much common knowledge that the speakers built into TVs are poor quality—even the best efforts of all the major players who manufacture televisions cannot compete with separate audio speakers or soundbars.
If you have money to spare, you can invest in a surround sound kit that includes front and back speakers that will envelope you with sound (just like you are at the movies).
Alternatively, soundbars are a fantastic alternative that provides excellent audio (at least better than the built-in equivalents). Modern variants include built-in smart functionality such as Google Assistant or Alexa, allowing you to seamlessly connect to your favourite streaming services like Apple Music or Spotify, along with the advanced DTS:X and Dolby Atmos Systems, providing a mind-blowing immersive environment.
Summary
If you are searching for a new television for your designer home, then following the tips and helpful advice in my guide will provide you with the necessary knowledge you need to make an informed decision before handing over your hard-earned cash.
Soon, you can sit back and enjoy your favourite movie / TV show / Game on a huge, quality and vibrant screen (although, you will have to keep your friends and family at bay once they see it!).
What are your thoughts on my latest lifestyle and tech article? Will you be following the tips when buying a new TV? Please let me know in the comments below.
