TV Buying Guide Tips 2024: How to Choose the Right TV
In today’s world, the TV is no longer just a device to watch programs on but has become an integral part of home entertainment that brings together movies, sports, gaming, and streaming. With technology galloping ahead, you might want to know ‘How to Choose the Right TV’. It can be confusing to choose the best TV in India amidst a huge number of options and features. The following comprehensive TV buying guide will walk you through myriad options and ensure that you get the most out of your viewing experience.
1. Understanding the Basics: How to Choose the Right TV
| LED/LCD TVs | OLED TVs | QLED TVs |
| ● Utilise LED (Light Emitting Diodes) to illuminate the LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel. | ● Employ organic light-emitting diodes that emit their own light. | ● Use Quantum Dot technology to enhance the brightness and colour of an LED-backlit LCD panel. |
| ● Affordable, energy-efficient, and available in a range of sizes. | ● Superior contrast ratios, deep blacks, vibrant colours, and wide viewing angles. | ● Excellent colour accuracy and brightness, high peak brightness levels, and no burn-in risk. |
| ● Black levels and contrast ratios may not be as high as other types. | ● Generally, it is more expensive and may have a risk of burn-in with static images. | ● It can be pricier than standard LED TVs and may not offer the same deep blacks as OLED. |
2. Size Matters: Choosing the Right Screen Size
Although a large TV is always tempting, the size of your room and the viewing distance are essential to keep in mind for an optimal view. Getting a larger screen with these elements in mind will make for a more comfortable experience. For example, a 55-inch TV should be optimally viewed from 7 to 11 feet away. A large screen can become overwhelming if you sit too close to it. You invite problems such as image distortion, neck strain, and loss of picture quality. Indeed, measuring the room between where you’ll be sitting and where you place the television will tell you what size of a TV is right for your room. That means a small-sized TV will suffice in smaller rooms or at shorter viewing distances, while larger screen sizes can comfortably fit in larger rooms or over greater distances. Having your TV size matched with your room and viewing distance boosts the fun of watching with a lot of immersion.
Tip: Larger screens provide a more immersive experience, but ensure the TV fits well within your room’s dimensions and doesn’t overwhelm your space.
3. Resolution and Picture Quality
Resolution usually refers to the number of pixels on a screen. The more pixels there are, the more precise and detailed the picture is by default. The typical resolutions are HD, or 720p, Full HD, or 1080p, and the latest, 4K, or 2160p, and an 8K resolution. Currently, 4K provides the best balance between clarity and detail in content at a fairly reasonable price. It’s also future-proof since most streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime offer content in 4K. This makes 4K an intelligent choice for those seeking high-quality visuals and broad content availability.
Tip: Higher resolution TVs offer better picture clarity and are more future-proof, but ensure you have content that can take advantage of these higher resolutions.
4. Refresh Rate: Smooth Motion
The refresh rate is typically measured in hertz and refers to how many times the image refreshes per second. Generally speaking, the higher the refresh rate is, the smoother the performance is during fast motion, hence being desirable during action sequences and sports programs. While 60Hz is standard and sufficient for most viewing, it can result in some blurriness during fast motion. Those who love playing video games or watching sports events should opt for 120Hz or even 240Hz for a smoother and much more fluent motion display.
Tip: A higher refresh rate is especially valuable if you watch a lot of sports or play fast-paced video games.
5. Smart Features: Beyond Just Watching TV
Most modern TVs come with smart features that involve connectivity to the internet for streaming services, apps, and lots more. They come with different operating systems, such as Android TV, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV, and even proprietary systems such as those by LG and Samsung. Many also support voice control, integrating with popular voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple’s Siri for hands-free operation. In addition, order a television with built-in features like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and multiple HDMI ports to connect various devices and extend connectivity options.
Tip: Look for a TV with a user-friendly interface and app support for your preferred streaming services.
6. Sound Quality: Enhancing Audio
Even for high-quality TVs, there is always a compromise on the sound output due to their slim designs. While integrated speakers will be fine for general viewing, they provide less richness and immersion into viewing than many viewers would want. If a more cinematic type of sound experience, like Dolby Atmos, is desired, then that would mean one should get a soundbar. Linked with your soundbar, the sound quality is greatly improved, giving you more depth and dynamism to complement your visual experience.
Tip: Invest in a sound system that complements your TV to enjoy movies and shows fully.
7. HDR: Elevate Your Visual Experience
High Dynamic Range (HDR) is a game-changer for picture quality, enhancing contrast, brightness, and colour levels beyond what standard TVs can deliver. HDR brings out intricate details in both dark and bright scenes, making your favourite content pop with vivid clarity. When shopping for the best TV in India, ensure it supports a range of HDR formats like HDR10, Dolby Vision, or HLG. Keep in mind that HDR performance can vary between models, so it’s wise to check reviews to find one that truly impresses.
8. Connectivity Options: Expand Your Entertainment Horizon
Modern TVs are more than just screens—they’re the hub of your home entertainment system. To accommodate various devices like gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, and streaming gadgets, it’s crucial to check for ample HDMI ports. Additionally, look for multiple USB ports, an Ethernet connection for stable internet access, and optical ports for connecting a soundbar. Gamers, in particular, should seek TVs with HDMI 2.1 ports, which are designed to handle high resolutions and fast refresh rates for an optimal gaming experience.
9. Viewing Angles: Enjoy a Clear View from Every Seat
The viewing angle can significantly affect your TV-watching experience, especially with LED models where colour accuracy and contrast may diminish from the sides. OLED TVs excel in providing consistent picture quality from wide angles, making them ideal for rooms with diverse seating arrangements. If you love hosting or have a large family, be sure to test the TV from different angles before buying to ensure everyone gets a great view.
10. Personal Preferences: Find Your Perfect Match
Your personal preferences are key in selecting the right TV. Consider what matters most to you: Do you value superior picture quality over sound? Is ease of use a priority compared to advanced smart features? Do you watch TV in a brightly lit room or a dark space? Reflect on your viewing habits and priorities to find a TV that aligns with your unique needs. Remember, the best TV for one person might not be the best for you—trust your instincts and choose a TV that fits your personal style and preferences.
Conclusion: Best TV for 2024
It’s not just a question of selecting the screen size but finding the perfect TV: finding a match between technology and features with one’s own viewing style and environment. Taking into consideration the type of TV, its size and resolution, refresh rate, smart features, sound quality, connectivity, and your room setup will definitely make you make an intelligent decision that would bring your entertainment up to the next level for many years. Whether movies, sports, or gaming are involved, the right TV will change how one experiences viewing.
