What Features Should I Look for in a Smart Television?

Smart TV’s are the hot buy this year! The trend shows that all televisions will be heading towards this “smart” technology, and the trend will soon become the norm. When you go to purchase a television, the choices can be overwhelming! There are so many options in brands, sizes, and features to choose from. Let’s look at some of the features you should look for in a Smart TV.

6 Features to Consider When Purchasing a Smart TV

1. Go with a 4K Smart Television!

There are two main resolutions to choose from now: 4K (Ultra HD) and HD. 4K Ultra HD televisions carry four times as many pixels as regular HD TV’s. Everything is heading towards 4K. It will give you some of the best picture quality on the market today. Since 4K is becoming more common and affordable (now available for hundreds rather than thousands), the 4K TV’s are quickly replacing HDTV’s as the standard for all modern Televisions.

The newest advancement in picture quality is the OLED televisions. OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) is a type of display technology that makes it possible to reach darker blacks and build ultra-thin televisions; while at the same time making them more efficient and eco-friendly. OLED is top of the line for visual aesthetics but will cost you, so be prepared to have deep pockets if you are considering this option.

2. TV Size Does Matter

Choose the optimal screen size for the room you will be viewing your television. To determine if it will fit in the space you have allocated for it, make sure you have correctly measured the height, width, and depth for the spot. Later, when shopping for your TV, you can match these measurements up with the actual TV and not just the screen size (since some televisions have a wider border than others). Know whether you want to mount your television on your wall or use a TV stand when deciding the proper size of your purchase.

Based on your viewing distance, we typically recommend getting at least a 55″ TV or larger. However, never sacrifice quality for size.

3. Get a TV with a High Refresh Rate

Know the “refresh rate” and choose a TV with a high one. The refresh rate refers to the number of times per second a frame of video is flashed on the screen, measured in hertz (Hz). The more pictures per second, the more realistic the motion or video will appear. Look for a television that has a refresh rate of at least 120 Hz. 

4. HDMI and Connections

The more the better! While this won’t be the first feature you look for, choose a television with at least 4 HDMI ports available. With the addition of a sound bar, a Roku, and a gaming console, you’ll be surprised how quickly these ports will get filled.

5. Wi-Fi and Streaming Services

An increasing number of televisions come with built-in Wi-Fi for connecting Internet-based services like Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Video for streaming videos or to run apps, downloading on-demand movies, playing games, or even posting to Facebook. These are great perks to look for when making this investment.

6. Price: The Cost of a Smart TV

You can’t forget the BIG, but obvious, issue that will ultimately impact your TV buying decision…price. Set your Smart TV budget right out of the gate, and then find the smart television that has the features you are looking for within your set budget. The average household purchases a new TV every 7 to 8 years. As always, you want to get the best television for your money. When making big purchases, such as costly televisions, you want to make sure you invest well so it will last your family a number of years.

Be a Smart about Buying Your Next Smart TV!

No matter how big or small your television purchase, make sure you have all the information you need to make the smart choice! There are so many different types and features of televisions on the market today. By learning about the new trends and features, we hope you will feel better prepared when shopping for your next TV investment. Still have questions? We have smart technology experts that would love to help! Call us at +1 (804) 379-1348 or schedule an appointment today!