Television is one of the most important pieces of equipment in our homes, as we spend hours of relaxation with it. Especially with Smart TVs, we have even more options than traditional channels, such as Facebook, YouTube, series on Netflix, etc.

Therefore, it is logical to want a model that suits your needs and your budget. As technologies are constantly evolving, and the available models are countless, we have gathered all the information you need to know in order to make the best possible choice!

If you are familiar with the technical specifications and are looking for the best options for every budget, you can check out the guide for the best TVs of 2023!

Let's see in detail everything you need to know:

Dimension

By the term dimension, we mean the diagonal of the TV screen, measured in inches (1"=2.54 cm). It should be emphasized that in the calculation of the diagonal, the frame of the TV is not included, only the screen on which the image is displayed. Although the choice of dimension is mainly based on subjective criteria, below is an indicative helpful table that correlates the screen dimension with the viewing distance.

The placement of the television can guide you in terms of the inches and resolution you need. For example, smaller rooms usually do not require devices larger than 40" and Full HD resolution. Similarly, televisions between 40" and 55" are mainly placed in living rooms or larger rooms, and it is recommended to incorporate 4K Ultra HD resolution in order to provide maximum performance, given the viewing distance. Finally, televisions that exceed 55" are of 4K Ultra HD resolution and are recommended for large living rooms or projection spaces.

Television Resolution (4K Ultra HD, 8K UHD, or Full HD)

The screen resolution, measured in pixels, is the second most important technical characteristic to consider. The higher the resolution, the better the image displayed by a television.

• Full HD (Full High Definition) corresponds to 1920x1080 pixels.
• 4K Ultra HD (4K Ultra High Definition) corresponds to 3840x2160 pixels. It is also referred to as 4K UHD.
• And 8K Ultra HD (8K Ultra High Definition) corresponds to 7680x4320 pixels. It is also referred to as 8K UHD.

Of course, the 4K and 8K resolutions make sense in combination with content created with corresponding specifications.

Image Display Technology (OLED, QLED, Neo Led, LED)

Although all 4 technologies use LED lights as their base, the way they approach image display is different and produces different results.

• OLED offers high contrast and perfect black performance (thus performing better in darker rooms), and performs well at different viewing angles. It is an ideal choice if you watch a lot of movies and play dark video games.

• QLED offers greater brightness across the entire panel (performing well in brighter rooms) and offers more vibrant colors. Ideal for casual use and bright spaces.
• Neo QLED was developed by Samsung and is the evolution of QLED. It offers improved brightness and better dark scenes with higher contrast, approaching the performance of OLED in black rendering. It captures more vibrant colors and performs well at different viewing angles.
• Finally, LED has higher maximum brightness compared to OLED, limited black rendering capability, and limited performance at different viewing angles. They are the most affordable of the 4.

* By "Black Performance," we refer to the amount of light emitted by a screen for the darker areas of an image. The goal is to minimize light in the dark areas so that they do not appear washed out.

* Contrast is the difference between the darkest and brightest parts of an image. An image displayed on a screen with low contrast ratio appears washed out and flat. On the other hand, with a high contrast ratio, it appears more realistic and has greater "depth."

Panel Technologies

High Dynamic Range (HDR)

This is an image reproduction protocol that maintains the difference between the brightest and darkest points (Contrast Ratio) at very high levels.

For example, if a TV has a maximum brightness of 400 nits and the darkest black at 0.4 nits, the Contrast Ratio is 1000:1. The difference between a 4K and a 4K HDR is truly noticeable.

HDR has also become an essential element of newer gaming consoles, so if you plan to get a TV for this use, it is good to prefer a model with HDR10 support and above.

IPS Panel

TVs with IPS Panel (In-Plane Switching) have better color performance and viewing angles compared to those with VA or TN panels. In the same category as IPS are also PLS Panels (Plane-to-Line Switching), which are brighter and have slightly larger viewing angles.

Local Dimming

In Full Array LED TVs with Local Dimming capability, the LED backlight is divided into zones that can be controlled independently. The result is better local black performance and contrast, and now, QLED models use Local Dimming for even more effective lighting and color performance.

Panel Design

Curved or Flat

The curved televisions impress at first glance, but it is wise to consider their advantages and disadvantages before making a purchase.

Among the positive aspects are the sense of depth they provide to the image, as well as the feeling that they cover a larger portion of our field of vision. In terms of image quality, they have better contrast compared to Flat televisions, and paradoxically offer a wider viewing angle without distortion of image quality, as they "embrace" our peripheral vision. To reap the most benefits from a Curved television, we need to sit in the optimal position (sweet-spot) and the television should be large enough.

On the other hand, their attractive shape makes them prone to reflections and unsuitable for wall mounting. Finally, although the image quality remains intact at larger viewing angles, the same does not apply to its geometry, which makes viewing uncomfortable at angles greater than 35 degrees.

Connectivity (HDMI, USB, SD Card Slot, etc.)

To use the television in connection with a home cinema system via HDMI, it is essential that the ARC (Audio Return Channel) technology is supported on one of the HDMI ports, allowing for the return of multi-channel audio directly from the HDMI cable without the need for additional equipment.

It is worth noting that all new televisions have incorporated the latest standard HDMI 2.1, and can reach resolutions of up to 10K (10240x4320) and a refresh rate of 120Hz. To enjoy the benefits of this technology, the viewing content must also be created in the corresponding resolution. However, the new consoles Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X & S can fully utilize the 120Hz refresh rate offered by the standard.

Other useful ports for a television are USB and SD Card Slots. The presence of a Card Reader is a very easy way to display the photos taken with our camera or mobile phone. By connecting an external hard drive or USB stick, the USB ports can be used for viewing or recording media, where USB Media Player and USB PVR functionality is supported respectively.

Additionally, they can also be used for charging devices such as mobile phones, etc. The only thing to be cautious about is the presence of some analog ports (e.g., VGA) in case we want to connect older technology devices to our television.

Additional Features

Smart TV

Smart TVs are the evolution in television technology, as they incorporate Internet functions and the use of various applications (e.g. Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, etc.).

Android TV

As its name implies, an Android TV is based on the popular Android software. One major advantage is that the applications available on our smartphones or tablets can also be used on Android TV. These televisions give us access to the Google Play Store, allowing us to download Android applications, including media streaming services (such as Netflix, Hulu) and games (gaming).

HbbTV

The coexistence of terrestrial television programming and online services is now a daily reality. Hybrid or HbbTV (Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV) televisions come to harmonize this coexistence.

Through the HbbTV standard, a Smart TV connected to the internet has the ability to integrate or connect internet services, such as livestream or Video on Demand (VoD), into the traditional terrestrial television program.

Wi-Fi & Ethernet

Televisions with built-in Wi-Fi do not require additional equipment for wireless connection and can directly connect to the wireless network of the area they are in.

Televisions with LAN port (Ethernet cable) have the ability for wired connection to our network. This is useful when wireless connection is not possible, the signal is weak, or we prefer the benefits of a wired connection (such as a more stable and higher quality connection compared to wireless).

Support on stand & VESA standard

Bulky and heavy television models have been replaced by lighter ones that have a "panel" form. Due to this change, we now have the ability to mount them not only on a TV stand, but also on the wall with the help of a suitable TV stand. The overwhelming majority of televisions follow the VESA standard to calculate the compatible support stand. The VESA standard is not necessarily common among televisions of the same size, meaning that a 49" television does not necessarily use the same VESA standard as another 49" television.

We should always consult the manufacturer's instructions when choosing the stand on which to install our new television.

Peripherals

First of all, you can protect your new television by connecting it to a safety power strip.

Having covered the image aspect, the greatest room for improvement in our experience lies in the area of sound.

In most cases, the speakers of the television struggle to follow the image quality. The solution for a complete audiovisual experience is found in combining our television with a soundbar or a home cinema system.

The same applies to gamers or music lovers. The latest game consoles have optical audio output in addition to HDMI output, making it easy to connect them to home cinema systems and amplifiers.

If you are a fan of movies and want to experience the ultimate cinematic viewing experience in your living room, then read what you need to "set up" your own home cinema at home!

Finally, let's not forget the most essential accessory that one needs to enjoy daily broadcasts, which is of course an indoor or outdoor antenna.

Gaming

With the latest game consoles supporting 4K Ultra HD and HDR, choosing a TV that will meet the requirements of a gamer is a special case. Initially, we need to consider the maximum resolution supported by our console. The PlayStation 4, PlayStation 4 Slim, Xbox One, Xbox One S, and Nintendo Switch deliver up to Full HD resolution in games and movies (with the exception of the Xbox One S, which delivers up to 4K Ultra HD in movies), while the more powerful consoles PlayStation 4 Pro and Xbox One X deliver up to 4K Ultra HD resolution.

The latest consoles Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X deliver in 4K Ultra HD resolution at 120Hz and can reach up to 8K Ultra HD resolution. The Xbox Series S console delivers in 1440p resolution (2560x1440) at 120Hz. These impressive numbers can only be achieved if the TV has an HDMI 2.1 port with VRR capability (Variable Refresh Rate).

VRR: A TV with VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) can adjust the refresh rate in real-time to match the frequency of the signal source, such as PC, Xbox One, Xbox S/X, and PlayStation 5.

In addition, the consoles PlayStation 4 Slim, PlayStation 4 Pro, Playstation 5, Xbox One S, Xbox One X, Xbox Series S, and Xbox Series X support HDR technology. This means that for most consoles, a Full HD resolution TV would be the ideal choice, as it is likely to be a more affordable solution. The overwhelming majority of TVs currently available are 4K Ultra HD resolution, so a 4K Ultra HD TV with HDR support is perhaps the best long-term investment, as models with these features are available at affordable prices.

When choosing a TV with HDR, we pay attention to the supported standards it provides, as the HDR10 standard is the minimum required by the above consoles and their supported content.

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