TELEVISIONS
Choosing a perfect TV can be a daunting task and would primarily depend upon what you love to watch and how you like to watch it. This buying guide will help you to understand the different features televisions can have and will answer the important questions that will help you decide on the right model for you.
Factors to consider before making a purchase
Screen size
Screen size is measured diagonally from corner to corner and only includes the actual visible screen itself, not the surrounding bezel. It’s important to consider the viewing distance from the screen. An ideal distance is listed here by:-
|
Size |
Viewing Distance |
|
1.5M to 2M |
Less than 1.5M |
|
32" to 39" |
1.5M to 2M |
|
40" to 45" |
2M to 2.5M |
|
46" to 55" |
2.5M to 3M |
|
58" to 65" |
3M to 3.5M |
|
70" to 78" |
3.5M to 4M |
|
Over 105" |
Over 4M |
Piture quality
Picture quality is probably the single most important factor when considering your next TV. The key aspects that should be considered:
Resolution
The number of pixels the TV screen is made up of. Generally, the higher the number of pixels, the more detailed the picture quality will be.
Processing rate
This is the pace the TV processes the screen changes. The higher the processing rate, the smoother the picture will be even in the most action-packed events such as films or sports. For example while watching TV the picture you see is actually a series of images shown at high speed to create a continuous moving image. Just like a flipbook or film reel. The processing rate - aka the refresh rate - tells you how fast the images are flashing up on the screen. In the technical specifications, you'll see it measured in hertz (Hz) - the higher the number, the more times per second the image refreshes on your screen. This makes the picture smoother and less blurry.
Types of Televisions
Smart TV's
These days, many mid- to high-range TVs will offer smart functionality, and even some budget models and brands are starting to include online features. Smart TVs are one of the first and easiest devices you can add to your living room to start to make your house in to a smart home. Connect to your home network and stream a huge range of movies, videos and music from popular services like Netflix,* Hulu Plus,* Pandora and YouTube. Many smart TVs also include a full Web browser, so you can surf the Web right on your TV screen.
4K TV's
4K TVs, also referred to as UHD or 4K Ultra HD TVs, have up to four times the number of pixels than a Full HD TV. A screen needs 3,840 x 2,160 pixels to be considered 4K and will have over 8 million pixels.
OLED TV
The latest in TV technology, OLED stands for Organic Light-Emitting Diode. Electricity is passed through these diodes in the screen to produce coloured light. This makes up your picture. Because these diodes produce their own light, each individual one can also be turned off, producing true blacks and smoother images.
LED TV
LED TVs use an LED backlighting panel to shine light through an LCD (liquid crystal display) screen, producing the colours and images you can see. LED TVs produce bright vivid colours.
FULL HD
This TV is also referred to as 1080p. Screens classed as Full HD have over 2 million pixels, made up of 1920 x 1080 pixels.
Curved screen
Curved screens are more immersive and are the latest in screen technology, putting you at the centre of the action.
