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Before you make the purchase remain aware of features and benefits that are available on the TV you are going to buy and you are most likely going to want to buy. TVs come in different shapes and sizes so it pays to know what features are available before purchasing one. So if you are looking for a new flat screen TV then look through the suited categories on amazon. Find models that fit your needs and then look for reviews and comments from others who have already had success with the model you have selected.
Finding the best TV for you involves knowing your needs and comparing features from TV to TV. In this article, we take a closer look at each of the most common TV types and test them against each other to tell you if you need a certain type of TV, if a better TV is available, or if you can get a good deal on a new TV.
Here are some crucial factors you should know before buying a TV;
What type of TV do I need?
Flat panel TVs are known for their excellent video quality and lack of refresh-line interference. The curve of these screens helps them ‘disappear’ when used in large rooms as it matches the curvature of the eye. Their light weight also makes them easier to mount on a wall than most conventional screens. Flat panels come in both widescreen (’16:9′) and standard sizes (‘4:3’).
LCDs use a chip called an ‘interpolator’ in order to convert analog signal into digital. This results in an overall increase in picture quality and reduces flicker, but makes motion look unnatural and introduces pixelation noise during high motion sequences. LCDs are also prone to reflect a lot of light, so they tend to work better in dark rooms than CRT televisions.
CRT TVs have the benefit of also being able to display HDTV. They are amazing at displaying details in dark scenes and have a passive 3D capability that is usually referred to as ‘pan and scan’. This refers to the fact that you can either view one screen at a time (i.e. ‘scan’) or view 2 full screens side by side (i.e. ‘pan’).
What size of TV do I need?
There are two main factors involved when choosing the size of your television. First, the length and width. The larger your television gets (in terms of length or width) the more comfortable you’ll be sitting in front of it, but this can become a bit difficult for people with smaller rooms. Larger TVs also tend to consume more power through their built-in amplifiers than smaller ones, so if you’re going with a stand-alone set you might want to go with one that comes as a set and don’t worry about amplifier compatibility later.
The second factor is how close your television sits to the wall. If you have a 30 inch television, you will want to buy it no smaller than 36 inches or as close to the wall as possible. If you don’t have a lot of space, the closest you’ll be able to mount your television is 36 inches from the wall.
What resolution should I buy?
Resolution can be measured in either dots or pixels. Dots are much better for printing purposes, but pixels are the industry standard for display purposes. Low-resolutions are used for computer monitors because they allow specific colors like reds and blues to be represented by only half as many dots (e.g. 640×480). From there, your television can display as many of these colors as its resolution allows. For instance, if you have a 16:9 screen with 768×576 pixels, it will actually be able to display 1024×768.
If you want something with a very crisp picture, then perhaps consider 4K or Ultra HD – this stands for 16:9 and 3840 x 2160 pixels (or 2160p). These TVs have a higher resolution than Full HD and many games or movies are filmed and/or displayed with this sort of pixel count. Ultra HD is likely to be found in 4K TVs, but there are titles available that have been created in full HD even though they’re being shown on a 4K television.
Meanwhile, some new models are able to play games at different resolutions depending on how much the customer wants to spend. This is known as ‘faux’ 4K resolution, and you can expect the same quality as if you bought a 4K TV without buying into the “game mode” which requires additional equipment to convert your signal.
Often when we talk about resolution, it’s in reference to the TV’s refresh rate. Refresh rate is how many times a single image can be displayed on your screen per second. Full HD should be at least 60Hz, though some newer models have a 120Hz resolution.
While most people watching a movie or television show will not notice the difference, some games are able to look better with a higher refresh rate. So if you’re going to be playing games on your TV, pay attention to the refresh rate and make sure that it is fast enough for your needs.
Smart TV Requirement
What is a Smart TV? A smart TV is a television with the ability to connect to the internet. This allows users to stream content through set-top boxes, but it can also connect directly to services like Netflix and Amazon video. The smart TV platform is built-in, so there’s nothing to download or plug in.
Another smart feature of many newer TVs is the ability to connect over Wi-Fi so that you can share your internet connection with your television, streaming content without having to worry about bandwidth.
Most newer models have built-in Wi-Fi which can be accessed through a tiny card that is popped into the back of the TV. Another advantage of owning a smart TV is that it can connect to your home network so that you can access content from your laptop or computer.
Make sure your budget is set before diving into this purchase.
Think about where you’ll be watching your television, this will affect the amount of money you want to spend. If you don’t have a place to put your TV, find a place in your home that will work for it. You may see that a new entertainment center is a better bang for your buck than an old one.
Sound Quality
The sound quality is another point you should consider. This is where you have to decide whether you want to go for a television with a surround sound system or if you will just be using the audio from the screen. On smaller screens with a lower resolution this may not be as important, but if you are going to have a large screen with high definition images then it’s important that your audio match your video resolutions.
TV Content Requirement
When it comes down to making this decision for yourself, it’s important that you take into consideration what kind of content you are going to be viewing on the screen and what kinds of things you are planning to do while using this television. You also need to ensure that the television you buy will be able to perform all of the things that you want it to do. When looking for televisions, it’s important that you try to find something that is going to fit in with your style. This can mean something small or large and it doesn’t have to match your computer monitor or anything else you might already own. Just pick something that will compliment all of your other decorations and make a good first impression every time someone walks into the room.
Brand Name and Price
Other than this there are few other points you should consider before purchasing a television, things like brand name and price are both important points in making this decision for yourself. When it comes down to brand name, you need to make sure that brand is well known for the kinds of televisions they are making. This will ensure the quality of your television and that you will be able to get good customer service should something go wrong while you are using it. When it comes down to price, depending on what size television screen you are looking for, you should be able to find TVs for 1500 usd or less. You can also usually find great deals online if you’re looking for a bargain. Most televisions come with a warranty and this makes them a safe investment even if they are higher up in price range. You should always make sure that the model is durable before deciding whether or not to purchase one.
Tips for Buying a TV
Buying a TV is not your typical purchase; many people are hesitant to make such an investment. If you are still in the market, follow these tips to ensure that you buy the right size screen for your needs:
- 1) Understand where you’ll be watching most of your content. Will it be primarily on television, or will it mirror the screens of cellphones and laptops? Think about where you want to watch most of your content and plan accordingly. For example, if you’re going with a larger screen TV in order to watch movies on it, that doesn’t mean it should be 720p or 1080p when people mostly watch small screens these days.
- 2) Ensure your TV sets the right mood. Consider what room you’re placing the set in. A large TV placed in a small living space can make the whole experience feel feel claustrophobic and less inviting. It may be easier to keep up with a smaller screen, for example, or so you can see details more clearly.
- 3) Pick a size that suits your needs. If you live alone, you probably don’t want a huge television; conversely, if you’re going to have guests over frequently, look for something slimmer that can fit into the room comfortably. If you’re worried about the room becoming cluttered, consider a wall-mounted TV instead.
- 4) Consider the size of your entertainment system. Think carefully about how the TV will fit into your entertainment center or mounted on a wall. Can it comfortably fit into the space without obstructing other electronics? Remember that if you have a surround sound system, you’ll also need to clear space for those speakers. All of this can affect your decision when it comes to deciding which screen is best for you.
- 5) Understand refresh rates and resolutions. Refresh rates tell you how many times per second (Hz) an image can refresh, which ultimately affects how smooth the image is displayed on screen. The faster the refresh rate, the smoother images will look. Resolutions refer to how many pixels can be shown on screen and affect the sharpness, color saturation, and overall quality of the image.
- 6) Think about what you’ll be watching. If you are a sports fan, for example, you’ll need a higher Hz than someone who mostly watches movies or television shows. Plan accordingly!
- 7) Decide if you want 3D or not. 3D televisions have become popular in recent years but are actually more expensive than regular sets and may not even be compatible with all content or your other electronics.
- 8) Don’t worry about technology being obsolete in a year or two. While it’s true that many technologies are updated regularly, you should be more concerned about whether the technology will fit your needs today, not in two years. If you need a large TV now but won’t be able to use it for long or still feel like it’s too small for your space, then spending more money now may save you from having to replace it later.
