Let’s face it ladies, when it comes to shopping, we know (almost) nothing about TVs and home theaters. No gender bias here, but most of the time, it is the men who are more interested in buying electronics than women, especially electronics in the audio-visual category.
(Don’t get me wrong, women love tech and electronics, too! It just so happens most women prefer electronics in the health and beauty, and homemaking category)
But what if we want to buy a TV as a surprise for our loving husbands and/partners, or just for ourselves?
Well, don’t fret because I wrote a quick guide to help you lovely ladies decode those technical terms and help you make an informed decision on which is the best TV to buy for your home.
Understanding TV Types – LED vs OLED vs QLED
TV screens have a type – LED, OLED and QLED.
LED TVs are generally more budget-friendly and have good picture quality.
OLED TVs have better contrast and blackness levels because each pixel is individually lit. OLEDs are also great for viewing the TV from any angle. One con of OLED, however, is burn-in.
Burn-in is like a stain on the screen and forms when the TV is left on a fixed image for too long. This is why screensavers were invented – to prevent burn-in
QLED is the technology mainly found in Samsung TVs. QLED TVs use quantum dots (QD) to create brighter colors. QLEDs are a good choice if you want vibrant visuals in brightly-lit rooms. They are also less prone to burn-in.
Girl Talk: Think of LED TVs as your reliable everyday foundation. It’s versatile, works under most lighting conditions, and provides consistent coverage.
OLED technology can be compared to high-end mascara. It can make each lash stand out individually, giving depth and dramatic contrast.
QLED on the other hand is like your vibrantly-colored eyeshadow palette. It has highly pigmented shades that pop and give you a bold look even in bright light!
Understanding Resolution – Full HD, 4K and 8K (No, we’re not talking about gold)
Resolution in TV context is the number of pixels that make up the image on the screen. The more pixels there are, the better the quality of the image.
Full HD, also known as 1080p, has 1920×1080 pixels. 4K has four times the number of a Full HD TV, giving it a resolution of 3840×2160 pixels. 8K, which is the highest resolution available commercially, has a resolution of 7680×4320 pixels.
Pixels are important when considering the size of your TV screen.
1080p and 4K on a 32-inch TV will hardly make a difference. But with 1080p on a 55-inch TV, you will most likely start noticing some pixelation. The bigger the screen, the better it is to have a higher resolution.
If you plan to put a large TV (let’s say 80-inches) in your huge living room, a 4K/8K TV would look amazing.
Girl Talk: Full HD is your normal everyday makeup. 4K on the other hand is high-definition makeup. Just like HD makeup, 4K resolution gives a smoother and detailed look, giving clearer and sharper images.
Meanwhile, 8K resolution can be compared to airbrush makeup. Like airbrush makeup, 8K resolution is perfect for those who are all about the details and those who want the most refined finish.
But like airbrush makeup where you pay a premium, 8K resolution TVs can also be quite pricey.
Understanding Refresh Rates – Hz or Hertz
Refresh rate refers to the number of times per second a TV refreshes the image on the screen. The higher the refresh rate, the more fluid or smoother the movements, making the animation look more realistic.
While there are still TVs that offer 60Hz, 120Hz is becoming the norm these days. It’s great for watching movies and is more future-proof. If the TVs is going to be used for gaming, consider getting a TV that has 144Hz.
Girl Talk: To understand Refresh Rates better, we can compare it to setting spray in makeup. Higher refresh rates keep the motion on your TV smooth, just as a good setting spray keeps your makeup fresh and prevents smudging, no matter how active your day gets.
Understanding Nits or Brightness
A nit is a unit of brightness used to describe the luminance of TV screens. More nits mean a brighter display. This is important when you watch TV in a brightly lit room. Higher nits make it easier to view the screen when the ambient light is strong, like when the sunlight is directly hitting the screen.
Girl Talk: Think of nits as your highlighter. Just like a highlighter, it brightens and draws attention. Higher nits make the TV brighter, enhancing visibility.
Understanding HDR or High Dynamic Range
HDR or High Dynamic Range is important if you value cinematic quality in movies and TV shows.
HDR enhances the contrast and color. This means brighter whites, darker blacks, and a wider color range.
Girl Talk: You can think of HDR in TVs as contouring in makeup. It enhances highlights and shadows, making colors pop and providing a more three-dimensional look to the images, similar to how contouring brings out your facial features.
Still a little lost? Need some recommendations?
On my recent trip to Bangkok, Thailand last month, I attended Samsung’s Southeast Asia Tech Seminar where they showcased a lineup of their newest models of AI TV.
Let me give you a quick roundup and maybe you can consider these products as a choice when you go shopping for TVs and home theater equipment.
2024 Neo QLED 8K
The 2024 Neo QLED 8K includes the latest NQ8 AI Gen3 Processor, which enables a vivid and more precise picture through its 512 neural networks — eight times as many as its predecessor.
It supports features like 8K AI Upscaling Pro and AI Motion Enhancer Pro for the best Neo QLED 8K visuals to date.
2024 Samsung OLED TV
The 2024 Samsung OLED TV upscales content to 4K resolution thanks to the NQ4 AI Gen2 Processor. It also features OLED Glare Free technology.
Music Frame
This is the product I enjoyed the most! Music Frame is a new product that functions as a frame-shaped speaker. It can be used as a frame on the wall by inserting images or photos into its replaceable photo frame.
It’s very aesthetic! No more of those bulky looking speakers lurking in the corners of your living room.
For those who are concerned with digital security, you’ll be happy to know that Samsung Knox, the security platform for Samsung devices such as smartphones and tablets, is also now applied to Samsung TVs.
It is built into the devices at the hardware and software levels so it offers multiple layers of security.
With the increased use of streaming services on Smart TVs where you constantly have to enter private credentials such as usernames and passwords, increased security for TVs is definitely a welcome change.
Let’s go TV shopping!
So ladies, I hope with this guide, you are now ready to conquer the Audio-Visual Showroom.
Whether it’s choosing the right screen type, understanding what resolution and refresh rates are for, or knowing the importance of nits and HDR, you should have the knowledge needed to make an informed decision when purchasing audio-visual display equipment.
Remember, like any gadget or tech, the best TV for you depends on YOUR needs (or in this case, your husband or partner)
Whether it’s for enjoying movies, gaming, or simply enhancing your home aesthetically, you should now have the confidence to ask questions and be able to compare products in the showroom.
Consider the space where the TV will be, how you’re planning to use it, and, of course, your budget!
Happy shopping!