Many appliances claim to fall in the “smart” category, and it is almost as though being able to stake this claim is a distinction that puts these items in a category of their own. It is also a very misunderstood concept, as not everyone understands exactly what goes into an item to have it classify as “smart”. Let us look at some of these factors, and break down the idea of Smart TVs, and why you might want to look at buying one.
Unprecedented connectivity
The presence of the Wi-Fi symbol, represented by 5 increasing ripples, indicates that your TV has internet connectivity capability. You might even recognise the symbol from when you connect your cell phone to the internet via Wi-Fi. Having an internet-compatible TV opens you up to experiencing a completely different level of entertainment.
With internet connectivity comes apps, a unique feature of Smart TVs. Not only do they generally come conveniently preloaded with the TV set, but they also come in a huge variety of services to choose from, from Amazon to Hulu, YouTube and Netflix and many other popular streaming services. Look at the box the TV comes in for an indication of what preloaded software to expect.
Incredible resolution
Resolution refers to the picture quality, which is determined by the number of pixels that are present in the screen. The more pixels, the greater the picture quality. If you see the HD, or High-Definition symbol on the packaging, you will be purchasing a TV with one of the higher quality displays.
The most common, middle-ground resolution is HD 1080. This is a good option for most budgets. 4K is currently the highest available display quality, although it is rumored that we can soon expect the arrival of 8k display!
While you are considering inclusions that make or break your purchasing decision, look out for Bluetooth functionality. This will allow you to add peripheral devices like headsets, speakers and gaming consoles when you want to or need to, without the need for clunky and awkward cables.
Go for the port.
HDMI ports are a common inclusion in most Smart TVs and allow you to connect other devices without the need for the old yellow and red-tipped audiovisual cables of the part. This high-performance, integrated cable make it possible to tether laptops or gaming consoles to the TV.
The more HDMI ports you have, the more devices you will be able to connect.
Hanging or standing model?
Where you put your Smart TV is a factor that will greatly affect your viewing experience. If you decide on a table-standing model, make sure that the room and its decor is able to accommodate the unit. If space is a concern, you could consider mounting it to the wall. This will free up a lot of space in a room where square footage is at a premium and will create space between the viewer and the TV, making the room look larger than what would have been the case with a standing model.
*This is a collaborative post