Smart TVs are mostly used nowadays and it is also called connected TVs. Its represent the convergence of computers and entertainment with integrated internet and an array of free and paid apps.
This article will help you determine what smart TV to buy based on your needs, budget, and preferences.
Firstly, What Is a Smart TV?
A smart TV is also known as connected TV, it incorporates an operating system which allows users to access stream music and video, browse the internet , and view photos without plugging in an external device. Smart TVs are well known with people who enjoy watching the latest shows on Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming platforms.
With smart TV, You can access, manage, and view online and network-based content. Almost all TVs sold today are considered smart TVs, and many manufacturers, including LG, Vizio, and Samsung, sell smart TVs.
Top 7 Things to Consider When Buying a Smart TV
Below are the 7 things to consider before deciding on a smart TV;
1. Consider The Price
Before buying a smart TV you need to consider the price, There is no need to pay a lot of money these days. You can actually get a 4K and UHD screen for a fairly good price.
You can simply buy from a lesser known brand or better still you wait for sales. The quality of modern TVs is so good that it is difficult to get it wrong. The only thing wrong you can do is overpay for an inferior TV.
2. You need to consider the compatibility
Almost every modern TVs have standardized compatibility, which means you can plug in your USB cable and watch whatever you want to watch from a hard drive. However, having two USB ports is better. Having one HDMI port is great if you have a gaming console, but two is often better. If you are buying speakers, it is often a good idea to have a more than one USB port.
3. Consider Available Apps
The main purpose of buying a smart TV is to entertain, and your entertainment choices will be an important factor when selecting a smart TV. Although there are some TVs that are loaded with apps right from the factory. There are others that have software installed when they get to a certain country. There are also some that have apps and allows you to add more, but services such as Amazon, Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Prime are widely available across several platforms, not all smart TVs will support all apps.
Check the installed and available applications on any smart TV you’re thinking of buying to be sure your favorites are included. Consider using a gadget like a Roku stick to enhance easily available apps.
4. Should a Smart TV Have HDR Support?
HDR brings out a high level of detail in the darkest and lightest parts of a picture and improves the range of colors, and most of the best smart TVs will come with a picture-improving technology which is called HDR (high dynamic range).
You may experience several HDR formats like HDR10, Dolby Vision, HDR 10+, and HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma), but as long as the display has some HDR support, you’re good to go. Differences between the formats are minimal.
5. What Refresh Rate Should a Smart TV Have?
Almost Smart TVs today offer 60Hz or 120Hz refresh rates. 60Hz, which refreshes the display image 60 times per second and 120 Hz, which refreshes 120 times per second. The more times it refreshes, the sharper the image stays, and the less motion blur you’ll experience.
A high refresh rate is excellent when watching sports, but be careful when watching movies at higher refresh rates. Films displayed that way can take on a look that does not mimic what you’d see in the movie theater.
You’ll likely keep the refresh rate set to 60Hz for most content, even on a higher-end TV.
6. What should the resolution of a smart TV be?
There are numerous resolution found on smart TVs, Most televisions are available in three resolutions: 1080p, 4K, and 8K.
1080p TVs are okay but they are out of date by today’s standards and there is no longer a price penalty for upgrading to a higher resolution, but for the best overall usage, we recommend buying a 4K resolution TV.
4K is also known as Ultra HD, is an ideal compromise because it is a high-quality resolution with numerous economical options. Furthermore, many streaming services and applications include 4K video, so you can take full advantage of what they have to offer
8K resolution TVs have taken the place of 4K TVs: Hefty-end at a high price. It’s probably not worth the investment right now because the costs are exorbitant and there isn’t a lot of content (TV episodes or movies) in high enough resolutions to noticeably improve visual quality.
7. What Size Should My Smart TV Be?
It is very important to carefully consider the size you want when purchasing a TV, The Size and resolution have a significant effect on a TV’s price tag.
You will need to measure the room dimensions where you will place the TV in other to determine the best smart TV size, and then decide which display size provides the viewing experience you want without overpowering the room.
Smart TVs come in different sizes, The most common sizes are 42 inches, 50 inches, 55 inches, 65 inches, and 75 inches (measured diagonally). Anything over 65 inches moves you into a much higher-priced category. There’s also an extremely high-end market that caters to those who want 80-inch or 85-inch smart TVs.
Even after measuring your TV room, you might still find it difficult to picture exactly how your smart TV will fit.
However, Samsung, Sony, LG, and TCL have augmented reality apps that allow customers to view how a TV will look in a room. Best Buy also offers an AR viewer so you can check how your new equipment will fit.
