Televisions Buying Guide

Dimensions of TV stands

Dimensions of TV stands based on the screen size

Diagonal TV Measurement

• 30 inch
• 36 inch
• 40 inch
• 46 inch
• 50 inch
• 56 inch
• 60 inch

TV Screen Width

• 26 inch
• 31 inch
• 35 inch
• 40 inch
• 44 inch
• 49 inch
• 52 inch

Minimum TV Stand Width

• 28 inch
• 33 inch
• 37 inch
• 42 inch
• 46 inch
• 51 inch
• 54 inch

PRO TIP: To ensure that your television set is steady, your stand should always exceed the width of your TV by 2 inches at the very least.

Display Resolution

PRO TIP:

As of now, HD and Full HD resolution content is more commonly available. This is because most DTH and Cable TV service providers offer Full HD ready set top boxes. However, all content is not available in Full HD.

You can experience 4K or Ultra HD only via online streaming services like Netflix.

Selecting the right resolution for your TV depends on the type of content you usually watch. While Full HD is good enough and easily affordable, 4K is the best bet for future readiness (if budget permits).

Different TV Operating Systems (OS)

Smart TVs with operating systems allow you to stream TV shows and movies, listen to music, play games, browse the internet and do a lot more. They come with an easy-to -use smart remote and app stores that offer a variety of apps to enhance the user-experience.

LG’s WebOS

Created for smart TVs and comes with innovative features like Magic Remote, Tellybean, LG Content Store, and more.

• Available apps - Netflix, Amazon Video, Hulu, & Google Play Movies
• Storage - offers 16 MB for storage

Tizen OS

It runs on a wide range of Samsung devices. Tizen OS automatically searches and connects to nearby Samsung mobile devices for a seamless transfer of content.

• Available apps - Hotstar, Netflix, Amazon, YouTube, Zee 5, HBO Go, BBC Sports My Jio, IMO (Video Calling), MX Player, VLC for Tizen, and many more
• Storage - offers local & session storage

Android TV

Google’s operating system for digital media players. These TVs come with an in-built Google Cast which allows you to cast content from your phone onto the TV.

• Available apps - Spotify, Netflix, VLC, Kodi, Plex, Disney+ Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Go, and many more.
• It allows you to install web browsers like Google Chrome.
• Storage - Offers internal storage for operating system files & user-accessible storage for apps & user data

Backlight & Screen Type

• The visuals on your screen light up because of the backlight (flashlight) in TVs.
• An ideal setting prevents the visuals from getting too dim or too bright depending on the room’s lighting.
• In a sun-drenched room, a brighter backlight fights the sun's light and reduces glare.
• In a dimly lit room, darker backlight prevents your eyes from straining while watching the Television screen.
• Types - LED, Backlight Dimming & Edge lit lights. These lights are used in different types of screens.

Screen Types

Full Array Local Dimming (FLAD)

FLADs come with dimming zones that control the ‘white’ and ‘dark’ in picture quality. This means that brightness or darkness is created only when it is required. In a nutshell, this screen type offers better contrast.

• Numerous LEDs spread across the back of the TV
• Produces finer, deeper, darker and richer images
• Better handling of motion blur

LED Edge

• LEDs are placed on the sides of the TV for a uniform reflection
• Supports the latest tech like 4k, Dolby Vision, HDR10, etc
• Cheaper than FALD & OLED
• Crisp images

OLED (Organic light-emitting diode)

• OLED TVs come with outstanding viewing angles
• LED TVs are extremely sleek in design
• Lights individual pixel on the screen
• Better handling of motion blur, HDR and contrast
• Infinite Contrast & offers amazing black level

QLED (Quantum Dot LED TV)

• Relies on LED backlight
• QLED TVs use quantum dots, when hit by light, emit their own differently colored light
• QLED display screens are a lot brighter as compared to to OLED
• Ideal for HDR content
• Affordable in comparisons to OLED

Picture Quality

Apart from the display technologies like LED or OLED, the image quality of the TV depends on 2 factors:

• Quantity of the pixels - The image will be more detailed if the number of pixels is higher. 4K and 8K Ultra HD TVs have the highest number of pixels.
• Frequency of images per second - Also known as ‘Refresh Rate’, this indicates how many times the set refreshes the image on screen in one second. The viewing experience is better with a higher refresh rate as the motion blur is significantly reduced.

Connectivity through Ports

Different kinds of ports:

• Signal Type - High quality or low quality analog signal delivers the data
• Maximum Resolution - Relevant to video ports for sharpness and clarity of an image
• Associated Devices - Devices hooked up to your TV through corresponding ports.

You can make use of 6 connectivity options:

USB Port

A USB port is extremely useful if you like to play content directly from pen-drives or external hard drives on your TV. At least 2 ports are recommended for the same.

• Signal Type - Analog/ Digital
• Associated Devices - USB flash drive, TV antenna, streaming device, and smartphones for charging

HDMI Port

Most LED TVs come with at least 2 HDMI ports wherein one is for your HD set-top box and Blu-ray/DVD player. A couple more ports will help you with that shiny new gaming console.

• Single Type - Digital
• Maximum Resolution - 4k Ultra HD
• Associated Devices - Modern game consoles, media players, DVRs, sound systems, computers, and streaming devices.
• Most of the mid range & high-end TVs come with 2.1 HDMI connectivity.

Optical Audio

If you intend on connecting your TV to an external audio system, you should look for TVs with the digital, optical audio-output provision as well.

• Signal Type - Digital
• Associated Devices - Soundbars and A/V receivers

Component Port

If you need to connect older-generation devices like DVD players, make sure you look for component ports and 3.5-mm audio-out ports.

• Signal Type - Analog
• Maximum Resolution - 1080p
• Associated Devices - DVRs, media players, and previous generation game consoles

VGA Out

If you want to connect your old laptop to your TV, you would need a VGA input-port on your TV.

• Signal Type - Analog
• Maximum Resolution - 720p
• Associated Devices - Computers & Laptops

SD Card Slot

Although it’s not very common, SD Card Slots can be useful for DSLR users. This slot enables you to skip the step of shifting content to a pen-drive so that you can watch your favorite photographs on a big screen.

Remote Controls

Many brands have started offering one common remote for all TV functions. This is done to avoid the hassle of managing different remotes for TV, Set-up box or video player. Some televisions can also be operated with the help of mobile phone remote control applications.

Features of remote control:

Smart Televisions

Various features of a Smart Television:

• Content Discovery
• Android TVs simplify the process of finding and watching new content on your smart TV. Its user-friendly interface prompts content that you might be interested in watching.

• Gaming
• Enjoy playing single-player, multiplayer, online, or offline games.

• Apps & Content
• Enjoy a wide variety of shows, movies and videos through popular apps like Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, BBC iPlayer, etc., on your home screen conveniently.

• Built-in Chromecast
• Cast your favorite shows, movies, music, and sporting events directly from your Android mobile device onto your big-screen Android TV using the local Wi-Fi network.

• Screen / Phone Mirroring
• Wirelessly mirror content from compatible devices onto your big screen with the help of Wi-Fi. This feature is ideal for seeing photos and videos on your phone in a larger format on the television screen.

• Picture in Picture
• Watch two programs simultaneously on the same screen with PIP (Picture in picture) technology. One source will be displayed on the television screen, while the other will be displayed in a small inset window.

PRO TIP: If your TV does not support Wi-Fi but offers mirroring, you can enjoy the internet without Wi-Fi too! Essentially, you mirror content from your Wi-Fi connected Smartphone to the big screen TV. Thus, if your TV does not support mirroring, you can use Chromecast to cast content from your Smartphone onto the TV.

Sound Quality

Needless to say, good sound quality is essential to enjoy an unparalleled viewing experience. Here are the 3 factors you should consider:

Audio Output

Make sure you check the sound rating in watts. A 15 W speaker system is ideal for up to 101.6 cm (40) TVs. You can opt for a 20-25 W rated sound system for larger TVs for binge-watch days and movie marathons. Some TVs also come with in-built woofers which provide a pronounced bass response.

Speaker Positioning

Speakers are mounted either at the bottom or the front of the TV. Front-mounted speakers offer the best sound experience but the latest thinner-frame TVs position the speakers at the bottom. In that case, you can mount your TV on a wall for sound waves to move freely.

Sound Customization

All rooms and environments are not the same. TVs with surround-sound modes and graphic equalizers allow you to fine-tune the sound output.

HDR Formats

• HDR stands for High Dynamic Range
• It increases a picture’s dynamic range - the contrast between the brightest white and the darkest black
• Colors are richer and more lifelike with delicate gradations and greater shifts in tone
• Improves TV viewing experience
• Common feature on full HD and 4K TVs
• Types of HDR - HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision & Advanced HDR

HDR10

• HDR10 is incorporated into all HDR-compatible TVs
• HDR sends static metadata to the video stream to make the picture look real

HDR10+

• HDR10+ sends dynamic metadata to set up colors and brightness levels frame-by-frame
• Only Samsung, Panasonic and Philips along with Amazon’s 4k Firestick support the HDR10+ format
• HDR10 & HDR10+ are two most common standards used in mid-high end TVs

Dolby Vision

• Available in high end TVs
• Supports 4k & OLED TVs
• Supports 4096 shades of primary colors
• 10,000 nits of peak brightness
• Powerful cinema technology at home
• Expensive
• Dolby vision, HDR & HDR10+ are confined to online streaming.

HLG

• HLG stands for Hybrid Log Gamma
• HLG is designed for broadcast cable, satellite and live TV

Accessories

Accessories that go along with Smart Televisions

• Xbox / Playstation
• Sound Bar/ Speakers/ Home theatre
• Wireless TV Headphones
• Wall Bracket for installation/ wall mounts
• Cleaning solution
• Wireless USB adaptor
• Fire TV stick
• Set-up Box
• Universal remote control
• TV stand

Extended Warranties

Many brands offer extended warranties for customer’s benefit. In some cases, you might have to pay a little extra to avail the extended warranty but it’s definitely worth the price!

Benefits :

• Dedicated toll-free helpline number
• Zero depreciation value
• Cashless repair
• Convenience of in-home service
• Replacement of defective parts

RAM

• You can enjoy better performance with higher RAM.
• Usually, 2GB of RAM is required for your TV to work smoothly and run all the in-built and newly downloaded apps efficiently.
• These days, most TVs come with at least 4 GB of RAM, but some have as much as 6 or 8 GB.

Processor

• Just like RAM, your TV will perform better with a higher processor.
• This can be noticed while switching between apps or using specific TV functions.
• TVs with Quad-Core Processors offer better picture quality. Most of the high-end TVs & mid-range TVs come with picture processer which enhances the picture quality.

Storage

• A minimum of 8 GB of storage is essential for a Smart TV to run smoothly.
• Pre-loaded apps and additional features can occupy much storage space.
• If you are looking to download more apps, look for TVs with more than 8 GB.

TVs have two types of storage:

• Internal storage for operating systems which cannot be accessed by users.
• User-accessible storage for downloading apps and to register the daily TV functions by users.

PRO TIP: To enjoy more storage space in your TV, delete the cookies from user-accessible storage.