You can be forgiven for wanting to bury your head in the sand when faced with buying a new television. It can feel like the manufacturers are just making up acronyms to confuse the general buying public, don’t you think? To be fair, the topic of television tech, especially what makes a high-end TV, is massive and requires a lot of time and patience to get your head around.
If you’re one of those who plays word games on your phone while glancing up to watch reruns of Friends, this article probably isn’t for you. But, if clarity, definition and size matter to you, along with multiple bells and whistles, then you may want to read on.
Defining High-End TVs
It’s no secret that the price tag determines whether a TV falls into the category of luxury or average. When you see all those zeros after the Rand sign, then you know that you’re looking at something awesome. But what are the defining factors in this competitive arena?
Screen Size
Gone are the days of a teeny, boxy telly in the living room with a tinny sound and a grainy black and white picture. Now, we can enjoy an entire wall of visual magic if we so choose and the cinema-grade sound that comes along with it.
The fact is, big-screen TVs are more popular than ever, given what we use them for today. Gaming is a big deal, and when you’re splitting the screen with your teenage son, a larger appliance is an absolute necessity. Movie nights and date nights are nudged along by a comfy sofa, a soft blanket, and a big flat screen. And need we mention the rugby?
Going to the cinema used to be a real treat for many of us, and the opportunity to have a movie-esque vibe in our living room is well worth the investment.
Performance
While screen size may matter most to you, performance is what separates the good from the excellent in the world of television. Top-of-the-range software equals a smooth visual experience, fast performance, and a host of preinstalled applications. Additionally, not all the content you consume will be available in 4K, but this isn’t even a bump in the road for a top quality TV which can translate non-4K content into the best it can be on your screen.
Avid gamers and movie lovers will love the picture and performance of premium televisions. Those who want the best simply because they can, will also enjoy the experience. However, if you’re only spending a few hours a week watching the occasional game and a couple of series, then it may be best to put your money into another home appliance that matters more to you.
Clarity
We’ve heard the terms 4K, OLED, LED, HD, and more. The simple truth is that your picture quality depends largely on the number of pixels that your screen can display. The smaller the pixels, and the greater their number, the clearer your picture. For a detailed description of 4K, LED and OLED televisions, take a look at our recent article What’s the Fuss About LG OLED Smart TVs?.
The nutshell version is:
- OLED: Generally considered the best option currently available with rich colours and deep blacks.
- QLED: Also a great option, although not as highly rated as OLED. This tech allows for TVs that perform well in brightly lit rooms.
- LED: An LED model from a respected manufacturer is sufficient for most homes, offering a sharp and true-to-life picture.
Today’s continuous advancement of tech means that screens of any size can display the most incredibly crisp images with bright, vibrant colours. When you consider that an average 4K TV has around four times the number of pixels as its HD predecessor, you get some idea of the significant difference in picture quality.
It’s important to remember, though, that the larger the screen size, the lower the pixel density. Therefore, if you’re buying anything over 55 inches, you’ll need to upgrade to a 4K option as a cheaper HD will no longer give you the best viewing experience.
Get Exactly What You Need
Ultimately, the best appliance for you depends on your requirements. On one hand, there’s no point in spending tens of thousands of Rands on amazing high-end entertainment features that you’re never going to use. However, if you’ve done a little homework and you realise that hidden features are available that you didn’t know about that would take your entertainment experience to the next level, then your decision is clear.
We invite you to scan through our specials and promotions page when you’re ready to buy your next high-end tv, and please feel free to contact our dedicated team for more information.