Buzz
The year-end prompts many families to consider purchasing a new TV for the Lunar New Year festivities. Amidst the chaotic information landscape, some salespersons emphasize flashy features that are seldom used, dazzling buyers while overshadowing other TV weaknesses.
1. Essential Checklist for Buying a TV
The year-end sees many families opting for a new TV to enhance their Tet celebrations. Amidst today's information overload, certain sales personnel highlight flashy features in advertisements, often underutilized, to captivate buyers, obscuring other TV drawbacks. Consequently, customers may end up with an expensive TV unsuitable for their needs or home space. So, what should you check when buying a TV?
Ensure Consistency in Display Quality
If you're torn between three TVs with similar prices and relatively balanced specifications, the best approach is to place them side by side and play the same video source simultaneously. This way, you'll discern which TV renders colors most suitable to your preferences.
Adjust TV Settings to Default Before Testing
Place 4K and Full HD TVs Side by Side
The common belief that 4K resolution is sharper than Full HD is mistaken. For screens 50 inches and below, human eyes can hardly differentiate between 4K and Full HD when they share the same content source. Currently, no television service provider in Vietnam offers 4K content! To verify, place two TVs, one 4K and one Full HD, side by side. Their prices must be comparable; a $700 TV cannot outshine a $1700 one! Typically, Full HD TVs offer superior panel quality and features in the same price range as 4K ones, which are often low-end models.
Measure Brightness
If you use a smartphone, download a brightness measuring app and gauge your living room's brightness before TV shopping (with all lights on). Upon reaching the showroom, measure again. Usually, living rooms are brighter than showrooms. Hence, if a TV appears dim despite maximum brightness, don't buy it. Conversely, if your living room is darker than the showroom, this isn't a concern. Check Screen Glare
Check for excessive screen glare on TVs you plan to purchase. If you notice clear reflections of yourself, lights, or surroundings while the TV is on, you may experience discomfort, especially during dark scenes or in brightly lit rooms. Living rooms typically have abundant ambient light sources!
Check Viewing Angles
Wider viewing angles are preferable. To test, pause the image and slowly move side to side while looking at the screen. Stop when the image becomes unclear and blurry. For TVs under 40 inches, viewing angles are less critical as they're usually used in smaller rooms where viewers primarily sit directly facing the TV. For TVs larger than 40 inches, buyers may want to watch from various angles due to larger rooms.
Verify Compatibility
If you intend to connect peripherals like SD cards, USB drives, HD receivers, or gaming consoles to expand entertainment options, bring them along and test them on the TV you're considering. Don't hesitate—remember, you're buying a TV for utility, not just aesthetics. If they don't work as expected, what's the point? For instance, a TV may be advertised to play MKV files but fail to read some of your favorite movies or exhibit partial image loss when connecting a gaming console. These scenarios are entirely plausible!
