Unlike smartphones or other electrical gadgets, TV is not something that we buy frequently. Since TVs have a longer life cycle, you should be very careful while buying one for your house.
If you go to a store or check online, you will get to see a wide array of options available to meet every user’s requirements. There are HD (high definition), 4K Ultra HD, and even 8K models of TV available in different sizes.
However, even though it looks exciting to buy a new TV, in reality, it is a very confusing task. The customers are undoubtedly spoilt for choice. So, if you are in the same position too and wondering which TV should you buy, here is a buying guide that will help you select the right TV for you.
Some of the important factors that you should check for before buying a TV are as follows:
Table of Contents
1. Screen Size:
You should select the size of the TV depending on the space available at your place which can be challenging.
TV sets are available in a wide range of sizes. With the help of the correct TV size, you can experience an immersive viewing experience.
If you are buying a very big TV but sitting too close to it, you might end up noticing a loss of clarity. You will also have to move your head from one side of the TV to the other. On the other hand, if you are buying a smaller TV, you will have to squint your eyes to check the smaller details on the display.
Some key pointers that you should be aware of before buying a TV for your home are:
- Select an ideal place at your home where you can install the TV such as a living room or bedroom. You should also check the proximity to the TV screen.
- Decide on the resolution that you prefer.
To understand the proximity, check if you can see individual pixels on the display. If the answer is yes, it means that you are sitting very close to the TV and you will have to move a bit back to enjoy the viewing experience.
Mentioned below is a table that can give you an idea of the recommended TV size according to the viewing distance.
| Viewing Distance (Feet) | Resolution | Screen Size (Inches) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 – 6 | HD Ready | 24” |
| 4 – 8 | HD Ready | 32” |
| 5 – 10 | Full HD | 40” – 43” |
| 6 – 12 | Full HD or 4K | 49” |
| 8 – 13 | Full HD or 4K | 55” |
| 8 – 15 or above | 4K | 65” or Above |
2. Screen Resolution:
The resolution of the TV is the total number of pixels that are displayed on the TV. These pixels together form a picture that you get to see on the screen. If you want to have a good viewing experience, you can look for a TV with a higher resolution as it provides live and sharp images on the screen. Hence, the higher the resolution of the TV is, the better viewing experience you will get.
Here are three commonly available options of the screen resolution:
- HD Ready (1280 x 720)
- Full HD (1920 x 1080)
- 4K (3840 x 2160)
Some brands like Samsung and TCL are offering new 8K TVs for the users. Let’s learn more about these resolutions and see what impact do they have on the picture quality.
For your reference, here is a comparison table between all three types of resolutions namely HD, Full HD, and 4K.
| HD | Full HD | 4K | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Also known as | HD, High-Definition | Full HD, FHD, HD, High Definition | 4K, Ultra HD, Ultra-high Definition |
| No of Pixels | 1 Million | 2 Millions | 8 Millions |
| Suitable for contents | SD set top box | HD set-top box, streaming apps like Hotstar, Youtube</ |