How to buy a Smart TV


Following on from our blogs on how to buy a smartphone and how to buy a laptop, we now wade deeper into the tech mire to rescue you from the confusion of buying a smart TV. Here we explain some common jargon you will encounter along the way, we look at sizing in TVs and then go to the point-of-sale experience to best equip you before your purchase decision. 

Smart TV

For starters, just about all TVs these days are smart TVs. 

A smart TV is a technological convergence of computers, televisions, and digital media players. It can connect to the internet and become part of your home network. 

Not having a smart TV is a bit like having an old Nokia phone with no internet connectivity, you know ‘just for phone calls’.

Smart TV is the biggest advancement in television since the advent of colour in the 1970s. Our advice is to embrace the revolution and upgrade to a smart TV if you haven’t done so already.

A smart TV can connect directly to your Wi-Fi, providing you with greater viewing options, from streaming services like Netflix and Disney+ to YouTube, as well as the same kind of internet access you have via your smartphone or desktop/laptop.

Smart TVs can also readily receive updates that improve performance or correct problems.

LCD

This stands for liquid crystal display, the most common kind of television technology. LCD TVs shine an LED backlight through a panel of liquid crystal, a malleable substance that reacts to electricity, opening or closing when jolted. All “LED” TVs are really LCD TVs, as are TVs that are labelled “QLED” or “ULED.”

Resolution

Resolution describes the number of pixels that make up the picture.

You want a TV with no less than 4K resolution, also called Ultra HD (ultra high definition) resolution. Avoid full HD (high definition) or 1080p sets. There are now TVs with 8K resolution, but they are super expensive and 8K movies and shows are not available yet.

The biggest benefit of 4K is that small objects on the screen have more detail, including sharper text.

Refresh Rate

The refresh rate, expressed in Hertz (Hz) describes how many times per second a picture is refreshed on the screen. You want a refresh rate of no less than 120 Hz for the smoothest, non-jittery picture.

QLED 

According to Samsung QLED stands for "quantum dot LED TV." QLED is a variation of LED LCD, adding a quantum dot film to the LCD "sandwich."

QLED, like LCD, is "transmissive" in its current form and relies on an LED backlight.

OLED

OLED stands for "organic light-emitting diode." It is a fundamentally different technology from LCD, the major type of TV. OLED is "emissive," meaning the pixels emit their own light. It is state of the art TV technology, and so comes at a higher price.

OLED TVs don't need LED backlights so, in addition to image quality benefits, they can get amazingly thin.

All OLED TVs worldwide use panels manufactured by either LG or Samsung.

QLED vs OLED: the main players

You will find that Samsung and TCL are the main players when it comes to QLED.

In fact, Samsung’s 2024 QLED line-up includes Neo QLED models and TCL has the QM8 QLED model.

On the other hand, LG, Sony and Sharp tend to push OLED models. Just to make things confusing, Samsung also has an OLED model, meaning it covers both ends of the market.

If you wonder what the difference is, then ask the experts. They say that OLED wins hands-down every time when it comes to picture quality, but once again, it comes at a price.

Size matters

TVs come in a range of sizes. These sizes are measured diagonally, from top to lower corner, as shown in the image below. As QLED TVs are LCDs, they can be made in a greater range of sizes.

As mentioned previously, TV sizes are measured along the diagonal of the screen, so when measuring your space make sure to use the width, height, and depth dimensions listed for the particular TV model you have in mind. You can find these specs with a quick Google search or on the manufacturer's website.

Once you know your available space, it’s not hard to imagine having a new TV occupy the space.

As a guide, a 55- to 65-inch TV is a comfortable size when sitting from 6 to 10 feet away, which is typically the case for a living room setup. A TV of that size is big enough to create an immersive viewing experience with the lights off, but it’s not so large that it’ll completely dominate a modest-size living room. On the other hand, no avid TV watcher has ever regretted getting a larger TV. So, if you have room and can comfortably afford a larger size, go for it.

The showroom experience

As we said in our laptop and smartphone blogs, if you have read this particular blog and you've done some additional research, chances are, you know as much, if not more, than the showroom salesperson.  

Don’t be immediately persuaded by TV models displayed prominently in the showroom. They may be old stock waiting to be cleared. This said they may have attractive discounts attached. Avoid impulse-buying. Take notes, then go back and do your homework. Does the TV best suit your needs? Is it the right size for the room? Does it fit your budget? Once you've decided go back to the showroom and negotiate the best price.

Good luck and enjoy your new smart TV!


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