If there is one device that takes centre stage in our homes, it’s the television. What was once referred to as the ‘idiot box’ is now a sophisticated piece of hardware. But one thing remains unchanged — our inability to decide on a model that offers the best of features and value. And if choices were difficult before, they have only become more complicated now. Keeping this in mind, here are a few things to consider when choosing your next TV:
Display type
Consider size; they go from 21” up to 110” (Samsung’s S9110, which comes with its own stand). Then there are curved displays that have great aesthetics and design; but sometimes poor viewing angles. A curved display, while providing a more immersive experience, also tends to consume more space. Flat panels, on the other hand, are getting thinner. LG’s W-Series is a wallpaper-thin (1mm) display that can literally stick to walls. The mechanics are bundled into a sound bar, leaving nothing more than a super-thin, OLED display panel (up to 77”).
ADVERTISEMENT
FHD or Full HD displays (1080p) are the most popular and most affordable. 4K or UHD (Ultra HD – 2160p @ 8.3mn pixels) is the current trend. These will ensure that you’re prepared for the future. That being said, we are on the cusp of the 8K revolution (4320p @33.18 megapixels). There’s plenty of 4K video content available today as compared to last year, so right now it would be the best choice.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
This is the age of Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hotstar and other streaming services. Thus connectivity should be one of your primary prerequisites. There are various options available today, from Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to the old-fashioned Ethernet cable. Wi-Fi lets the TV join a home network for streaming online videos; Bluetooth allows it connect to devices like wireless keyboards and headphones, while third-party products like Google’s Chromecast help stream content from mobile handsets.
Features
HDR (High Dynamic Range) does the same thing for a TV as it does for your photos; preserving details in darker areas of the image while adding a richer depth of colours to give the content a more natural look. This is where the contrast ratio also plays a vital role i.e. black should be absolute while still allowing you to see details. Check two models side-by-side to gauge just how deep the colours and black levels are. IPS (In-plane Switching) is another technology that adds to the price, but provides improved colour accuracy.
Frame rate denotes the number of times the image on the screen is refreshed per second — for example, 60Hz, 120Hz, 144Hz. The higher the refresh rate of your TV, the better it will be for viewing. Some TVs multiply frame rates, with features like ‘scan’ and ‘motion control’. However, while these help with sports and video gaming, it can make movies look more like soap operas (giving rise to the term ‘soap opera effect’). In most TVs, this feature can be switched off.
Also give preference to TVs with more than two HDMI and USB ports, as HDMI is the standard for connecting devices such as Blu-ray players, game consoles and input from computers. USB ports with plug-and-play support (HDD ready) ensure linking up your hard drive to the TV is an easy process.
What you actually need
Many manufacturers use marketing in an attempt to sell buyers on features that add little value. 3D is one such example. It is great on the cinema screen, but at home, it can be cumbersome due to a lack of sufficient content and the need for a really dark room to get the best effect.
The best way to sum up the ideal TV today is that it should, in essence, be an extension of your smart device.
Dhiram Shah is the Mumbai-based founder of Luxurylaunches.com