The market is crowded with a variety of TV models, and each of them promises unsurpassed image and sound quality. However, to make the right choice, you need to consider a number of criteria. We will review the best TVs and provide recommendations on their choice.
Key criteria for good TV sets
What technical specifications should I pay attention to :
Diagonal
When choosing a TV, one of the most important criteria is its diagonal. The diagonal of the screen determines the size and visual capabilities of the model, so it plays a crucial role when buying.
Determining the appropriate diagonal is not only a matter of taste, but also the dimensions of the space where the TV will be located. When choosing a diagonal, you must take into account the size of the room, the distance from the viewing point to the screen, and the interior features.
The diagonal is measured in inches and indicates the distance between opposite corners of the screen. A wide range of products offers consumers the opportunity to choose the best size for their needs.
Small diagonals (up to 32 inches) are suitable for kitchens, bedrooms or small rooms. They take up less space and are ideal for close viewing.
Medium diagonals (32-55 inches) are the most popular option among consumers. Designed for the living room, where you can enjoy viewing from a reasonable distance.
Large diagonals (over 55 inches) offer stunning visual experiences and create a movie theater experience right in your home. They are ideal for large living rooms or home theaters.
Screen Resolution
The screen resolution determines the number of pixels that can be displayed on the screen, and affects the clarity and detail of the image. The higher the resolution, the more realistic and high-quality images you can get.
There are various TV resolutions on the market, but the most popular are HD (High Definition), Full HD, 4K Ultra HD, and 8K Ultra HD.
HD (High Definition) is a basic resolution that offers an image with a resolution of 1280×720 pixels. Although the parameter is considered obsolete, it can provide good quality for small screens or for those who do not require high detail.
Full HD – a more advanced resolution that provides images with a resolution of 1920 × 1080 pixels. This is the standard option for most modern TVs, offering a sharper and more detailed image on medium-sized screens.
4K Ultra HD is a resolution that has become the new standard for image quality. It is several times higher than the Full HD resolution and is 3840 × 2160 pixels. TVs with 4K Ultra HD resolution provide incredibly sharp and detailed images, which is especially noticeable on large screens.
8K Ultra HD is the highest resolution available on the market. It measures 7680 × 4320 pixels and offers incredible frame detail. However, it is worth noting that content with a resolution of 8K is still limited and its availability is not as wide as for other resolutions.
When choosing a TV with a certain resolution, you should take into account the screen size and the expected distance to it. The larger the screen and the closer we are to it, the more clearly the difference in image quality will be visible. It is also worth considering the availability of content with the appropriate resolution, since even a high-resolution TV may not show all its advantages if the content does not support it.
Type of illumination
The backlight type determines the image quality, brightness, contrast, and energy efficiency of the device. Let’s look at the main types of backlighting that are used in modern televisions.
- DirectLED. This type of illumination involves the use of LEDs located evenly over the entire surface of the screen. Direct LED provides uniform illumination and good contrast, which allows you to get a realistic image. However, such a system can be quite cumbersome and require more power.
- EdgeLED.In this case, the LEDs are located at the edges of the screen and illuminate it from the sides. Edge LED has a compact design and consumes less power than Direct LED. However, this type of backlight may have a problem with the uniformity of lighting, especially at the edges of the screen.
- OLED. Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) offer a unique image quality. Each pixel is highlighted independently, which allows you to achieve a deep black color and high contrast. OLED TVs offer wide viewing angles and real-time pixel response to image changes. However, they can be more expensive than other types of illumination and have a limited service life of LEDs.
- QLED. Quantum Dots are used in QLED technology to create a bright and rich color. The light from the LEDs passes through a layer of quantum dots, which converts it into a wide range of colors. QLED TVs offer high brightness, good contrast, and wide color coverage.
TV Matrix
The matrix, also known as a panel or screen, determines the resolution, contrast, color reproduction, and other characteristics of an image. Let’s look at the main types of matrices that should be considered when choosing a TV.
- LCD arrays (LCDs). Liquid Crystal Display screens are the most common type of screen today. They consist of many pixels filled with liquid crystals, which change their bandwidth under the influence of an electric field. LCD arrays provide good contrast and brightness, but may have a limited viewing angle.
- OLED matrices. Organic Light-Emitting Diodes are a modern and advanced type of screen. They consist of organic substances that glow when an electric current passes through. OLED sensors provide high contrast, deep blacks, and a wide viewing angle. They have a slim design and consume less power than LCD arrays.
- QLED matrices. Quantum Dots are the basis of quantum dot LED arrays. This technology uses semiconductor nanoparticles that can change the color of the glow when exposed to a certain wavelength. QLED matrices have high brightness, a wide color range, and excellent color reproduction. They have a long service life and are resistant to pixel burnout.
- MicroLED matrices. Micro Light-Emitting diodes are an advanced screen technology. They consist of millions of microscopic LEDs, each of which is a separate pixel. MicroLED sensors provide the highest resolution, brightness and contrast, as well as a wide color gamut. They are characterized by a long service life and no risk of pixel burnout.
Screen refresh rate
Modern TVs offer different screen refresh rates, expressed in Hertz (Hz). The standard frequency is 60 Hz, which means that the image is updated 60 times per second. However, some models offer higher refresh rates, such as 120 Hz, 240 Hz, or 480 Hz.
The increased screen refresh rate has its advantages. First, it helps reduce the blurriness of moving objects on the screen, making them clearer and more realistic. This is especially important when watching sports events, movies, or games, where fast movements can be key points.
Second, an increased screen refresh rate can improve the experience of content, especially when using motion-smoothing mode. These functions add additional frames between existing ones to create a smoother image. However, it is worth noting that some viewers may not like the “smoothness” effect, as it can give the image an unnatural appearance.
Despite all the advantages, the increased screen refresh rate also has its limitations. First, it requires more resources from the TV, which can lead to increased power consumption. Second, not all content sources support a high refresh rate, so its effect may be limited.
When choosing a TV based on the screen refresh rate, you should consider your personal preferences and needs. If you’re a heavy user of motion-smoothing features and watch a lot of dynamic content, a TV with a high refresh rate might be the best choice.
Tuner Type
A tuner is a device that allows you to receive television signals from an antenna, cable provider, or satellite TV. Choosing the right type of tuner affects the quality and variety of channels you watch.
Analog tuners are already outdated and are gradually going out of use. They are not capable of providing high-quality images and do not support the latest content transfer technologies. Therefore, when buying a TV, it is recommended to choose models with digital tuners.
Digital tuners provide reception of digital TV signals, which guarantees a clear image and perfect sound quality. Digital tuners include DVB-T2 (for terrestrial TV), DVB-S2 (for satellite), and DVB-C (for cable TV). The choice of a specific type depends on how the TV is connected to the signal source.
In modern TVs, you can find integrated tuners that support several types of signals simultaneously. This is quite convenient for users, as it is possible to receive signals both from terrestrial antennas, and from cable or satellite sources without additional devices.
Some modern TVs have an auto-tune tuner feature that allows you to quickly and easily set up channel reception without having to perform complex manual settings.
Choosing a TV
When choosing a TV, you should take into account all the criteria considered. This will allow you to find a model that meets your expectations and provides a pleasant viewing experience for your favorite TV shows and movies.
