TV Purchasing Guide
LED, plasma, 4K, and curved are all features of TVs currently on the market. With so many different types of TVs and new technology coming out constantly, it can be a daunting task to pick out a new TV. I know when I bought my most recent Samsung, I was completely overwhelmed during the search. There were so many to choose from it was unreal. How do you know if it's the right size? What about brands? What's this 4K TV and why does it cost more than my car? Buying a new TV should be exciting and not overwhelming. If you're in the market for a new TV it's important to consider several options.
Budget is of course a huge deciding factor when it's time to purchase a new TV. Fortunately, there are many great TV's on the market that can accommodate any sized budget. Once you find your new TV, make sure you shop around. The store down the street may have it for a much better price and since most stores price match, the ball is really in the purchaser's court. It's another great idea to be on the lookout for end-of-line discounts. Since new televisions are released several times a year, picking up the older model is a great option for saving some cash.
Another big step in the purchasing process is to figure out what you want in your new TV based on your budget. Of course you want the best picture HDTV that you can get. Plasmas are becoming more rare, but many say they have the best picture. You just have to be ready to shell out the money or go for a more budget friendly high-quality LED. A great TV is going to have a picture that reproduces the incoming source as closely as possible without "improving" smoothness, color, or other characteristics. Less important (and confusing) factors include maximum light output and video processing (120Hz, 240Hz, etc.). If you've got a bangin' budget and are looking for the top of the line, then check out 4K TVs. They have four times as many pixels as today's 1080p TVs, but come with a much heftier price tag.
Screen size is definitely one of the most important aspects when buying a new television. Most consumers tend to go bigger than their old TV, but bigger isn't always better. Just because you can afford an 80-inch LED HDTV doesn't mean you should run out and buy it. It's crucial to consider room size when buying a new TV. A 40 to 42-inch TV would suit most consumers, but if you're going to be sitting at least 8 to 10 feet from the screen, a 46 to 50-inch screen would be a better fit. If you have an even more spacious room, consider an even larger screen. If you need a new TV for a bedroom, usually 26 to 32-inch TVs work for bedroom-sized spaces. Basically the ideal screen size can be calculated by multiplying the distance that you sit away from the TV by 0.535 and then rounding it up to the nearest size. So, if you sit 80 inches away from your TV, the ideal size is 42-inch (80 x 0.535= 42.8).
TV buying should be a fun and exciting time. Don't get overwhelmed with stats and stiff price tags. Know what YOU want and what will work best in your space. If you don't think you would use a Smart TV because you already have a Roku Box , then don't get a Smart TV! Ultimately the decision is yours so listen to your gut and buy what you like.
