Guide To Smart TV's
Smart TV Buyer's Guide: Choosing the right TV for you!
This comprehensive guide will walk you through all the things to consider when purchasing a new smart TV. From TV size to display quality and features, this guide is your one stop shop for all information about your new Smart TV. We will provide you with all the information so you can make the right choice that suits your individual needs.
Selecting The Size: How big is too big?
TV's come in a range of different sizes ranging from 24" to 98". It is important to get the right size TV for the space you have. Too small and it might look lost on a large wall or in a large room. Too big and it might overpower the room. It is important to note that TV size is measured in inches and measured diagonally from corner to corner.
Recommended minimum distance for viewing 4K or 8K TV is 1.5 times of the TV vertical screen size. Viewed from this distance, individual pixels cannot be differentiated by naked eyes. This means that pixels effectively disappear when viewing 4K images.
| TV Size | Viewing Distance Range (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| 55 inch | 1 meter / 3.28 feet |
| 65 inch | 1.2 meters / 3.94 feet |
| 75 inch | 1.4 meters / 4.60 feet |
| 85 inch | 1.6 meters / 5.25 feet |
Choosing Your Pixel Size: What is 4K?
The picture on your TV is made up of tiny dots called pixels. The number of pixels displayed on a screen determines the resolution. The higher the pixel count the better quality picture your TV will have. We're in an age now that the standard for a smart TV is a 4K display. 4k is an Ultra High Definition display and is the standard across smart TVs today. TVs also come in lower definitions such as 1080p. This is known as Full HD. These TVs still offer a good picture quality and are still available, but technology is slowly passing them by with streaming services and game consoles offering 4K picture.
If you want to go for the highest picture quality available today then 8K displays are the one for you. These are relatively new technology and offer double the amount of pixels than 4K models. This comes at a price as 8K models are the most expensive on the market, but their picture quality can't be matched! These displays work best on larger screens such as 65", 75" and 86" TVs.
Display Technology: What's The Difference?
Now that you've chosen your size and your resolution. It's time to choose the screen display. The screen display aslo affects the quality of picture you'll see. Better displays means brighter colours and darker blacks, making TV shows and movie pop on the screen. Below we'll explain these screen types for you to better understand each/p>
LED
These screens are the most common type and can be found in most entry level 4K Smart TVs. A LED display is a flat panel display that uses an array of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as pixels for a video display. This would be the most cost effective display for a smart TV.
OLED
(Organic Light-Emitting Diode): Offers individually lit pixels, resulting in true black levels, vibrant colours, and wide viewing angles. These TVs would be higher in price as a result of the better display.
QLED
A Samsung technology that uses quantum dots with LED backlighting to enhance colour and brightness. This kind of technology would be between OLED and LED. This would be reflected in the price as it would be a mid range TV display.
QNED
LG technology in response to Samsung’s QLED, using LED technology but adds another layer in front of quantum dot filter called Nanocells. This layer absorbs unwanted light from the Quantum dot layer to reduce colour distortions. This technology would also be between LED and OLED, making it another good choice in the mid range TV displays.
Smart TV Energy Ratings: Prioritizing Efficiency
Opt for an energy-efficient TV to minimize running costs and reduce environmental impact. Energy ratings range from A to G, with A being the most efficient.
Features to Consider: Elevating Utility
App Store
Does your smart TV have its own dedicated app store to download additional streaming services, games and apps?
Gaming Mode
A dedicated gaming mode for the most hardcore gamers. Some TVs offer gaming modes with increased refresh rates and enhanced colour displays.
HDR
HDR stands for High Dynamic Range and refers to a technique that expresses details in content in both very bright and very dark scenes. It offers a more natural and realistic picture output.
Screen Casting
Allows you to cast images and videos directly to your TV using a mobile or tablet device. This can be useful with streaming services switching from watching on your phone to the TV effortlessly.
Voice Control
Does your TV have voice control allowing you to choose what to watch by just talking to it? Voice controlled TVs often also work with Smart Home devices such as Alexa and Google Home, allowing you to control your TV the way you want.
Web Browser
Does your TV have a dedicated web browser to search and view websites directly from your TV.
Choosing your operating system
Each different brand operates on their own operating system(OS). Each OS will have their benefits but they are all different. The OS is how you interact with your TV, how the content is layed out and how easy it is to use. We go through the most popular versions below.
Samsung Tizen OS
Samsungs operating system that appears on all Samsung Smart TVs. Tizen comes with its onw dedicated app store to download the latest streaming services. It also integrates well with other Samsung devices such as phones and tablets. Come with Samsung TV Plus which is a free ad supported streaming app.
LG WebOS
LGs operating system, webOS comes with a set of preinstalled apps such as Apple TV, Disney+, Hulu, Prime Video and Netflix. And users can download additional apps from the Content Store (LG's app store) if they're available.
Sony Google TV
Sony TVs come with either Google TV or Android TV. This gives users access to the Google Play Store, opening up access to a larger amount of availabe apps. These TVs work well with Google assistant and Google home and allow for greater customization.
Roku TV
Roku TV is another popular OS that is available on a number of different brand TVs such as TCL, JVC and Sharp. Roku TV is usually a simplier set up and can be easier to use but does not come with as many features as the above options. This could be perfect for younger family members or older family members that want a Smart TV but don't need all the extra features.
Television Brands: Trusted Partners
Explore our trusted televison brands, and use your recenly learned knowledge to choose the right TV for you:
Smart TV FAQs: Addressing Common Queries
Navigate common concerns with insightful answers:
A Smart TV is a television that connects to the internet, allowing you to stream content from apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Hulu, browse the web, and even control smart home devices. Unlike regular TVs, Smart TVs offer built-in Wi-Fi and can run apps, eliminating the need for additional streaming devices.
The ideal screen size depends on the viewing distance. As a general guideline:
- For a 55-inch TV, a distance of about 1 meter (3.28 feet) is recommended.
- For a 65-inch TV, a distance of 1.2 meters (3.94 feet).
- For a 75-inch TV, a distance of 1.4 meters (4.60 feet).
- For an 85-inch TV, a distance of 1.6 meters (5.25 feet).
Measure your room and consider these distances to select the best size.
4K resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels) offers four times the detail of Full HD (1080p), providing sharper images, especially on larger screens. 8K resolution (7680 x 4320 pixels) offers four times the detail of 4K, but content availability is limited, and the difference is most noticeable on very large screens. For most viewers, 4K provides excellent picture quality.
Most Smart TVs come with built-in streaming apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and YouTube, so an external streaming device isn't necessary. However, if you prefer a specific interface or access to more niche apps, an external device like Roku, Apple TV, or Amazon Fire Stick could enhance your experience.
The refresh rate, measured in Hertz (Hz), indicates how many times per second the TV refreshes the image on the screen. A higher refresh rate (e.g., 120Hz vs. 60Hz) can provide smoother motion, especially for fast-paced content like sports or action movies. For everyday viewing, 60Hz is often sufficient, but for a more fluid experience, 120Hz or higher is recommended.
To get the best picture quality:
- Make sure your TV is displaying content in its native resolution (e.g., 4K content on a 4K TV).
- Use high-quality HDMI cables for connections.
- Adjust the TV settings according to your viewing environment. Most TVs have preset modes like "Cinema" or "Game," which optimize the picture for specific content.
- If available, enable HDR (High Dynamic Range) for better contrast and color accuracy.