Glossary of terms when buying a TV
Diagonal is the size of the TV, traditionally measured in inches. TV sizes are usually typical, but some manufacturers may vary slightly by 1-2 inches. The optimal size for the living room is 55 to 75 inches, so the image is large and impressive.
Resolution (4K, 8K, Full HD) – the number of pixels that make up the matrix. The more there are, the more precise the image will be. The optimal resolution for any task is 4K (8K should be considered only for huge TVs).
Matrix – the actual TV screen.
LED, LCD – the usual type of matrix of liquid crystal TV. It is found in entry-level and mid-range models, characterized by low brightness and relatively low contrast.
QLED, QNED – technologies of improved LCD matrixes with a layer of unique quantum dots. The special composition enhances the light passing through it, so the brightness and contrast of such TVs are much higher than LED. However, they cannot reproduce deep black color – dark frame parts have a grayish or bluish tint.
Edge LED, Direct LED (DLED) – LCD backlighting technologies are not related to the presence or absence of quantum dots. Direct LED provides uniform brightness and color reproduction on the screen, while the more primitive and cheaper Edge LED creates backlights in the corners, which are noticeable in dark scenes.
Mini-LED is an advanced version of Direct LED. It has nothing to do with the LCD screen type, but it increases its contrast. Thousands of tiny LEDs light up and dim according to the image so that the light parts of the frame are brighter and the dark parts are deeper and more natural.
OLED is a fundamentally different screen technology from LED. Each pixel shines by itself and is controlled separately, so the image is perfectly contrasted, with impossible LED and QLED brightness variations. OLED is the best type of matrix for a dark room, but next to a window or in a lighted hall, a brighter QLED looks better. QD-OLED is OLED with a layer of quantum dots to increase the brightness and richness of the picture.
Contrast – reflects the difference in brightness between the darkest and lightest part of one frame. If the contrast is low, the details in the shadows will be lost, as in the same series of “Game of Thrones”. The standard contrast ratio is 1000:1, but the higher the better.
Brightness is one of the most important parameters of a modern TV set. The higher it is, the more colors and shades will be distinguishable on the screen, and the more realistic the image will be. For budget TVs, the normal brightness is 200-300 nits; for average TVs – up to 500 nits. And for the most advanced TVs – from 600 nits and higher.
HDR – translates as “extended dynamic range”. Means that the screen supports increased brightness and contrast. Regular televisions are called SDR. The term HDR applies to content and TVs, and there is often confusion. For example, many cheap TVs labeled HDR can play HDR movies, but their screens are too dim to notice any difference.
HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG are different HDR standards. To make it work, both the movie file and the TV must have the same standard. Most HDR content is produced in basic HDR10, which all modern TVs support. Dolby Vision and HDR10+ are advanced formats, and their presence is usually noted in the description of the movie or streaming service. HLG is the most primitive and quite rare.
Dolby Digital, Dolby Atmos, DTS – surround sound standards. TV speakers are usually too weak to transmit realistic effects, as in a movie theater. If you see such markings on the package or in the store, the TV can play a file with sound in this format, but it is better not to expect much.
Frequency – measured in hertz. The higher it is, the clearer and smoother the movement of objects on the screen looks. For movies, TV series and YouTube videos the frequency is not important, as there the frames are changed with a fixed frequency of 24 or 30 fps. But you should pay attention to a screen with a 120 Hz or higher frequency for gaming or watching sports matches.
VRR stands for variable screen refresh rate. It is an essential setting for gaming so that the picture in demanding projects does not slow down or jerk in scenes with fast motion. VRR can be of several types: G-Sync, FreeSync, Adaptive Sync, or HDMI VRR.
ALLM — Automatic Reduced Latency Mode. The TV detects that a game console is connected to it and goes into game mode. This is important because, with other picture settings, there can be an unpleasant delay between pressing a button on the gamepad and displaying the action in the game.
MEMC is a feature that artificially boosts the frame rate. The TV analyzes the picture and substitutes between the existing frames generated so that the movement on the screen is perceived as smoothly as possible, and, for example, a soccer ball is not blurred in flight. This setting is contraindicated for games, as it adds a substantial delay, and in movies, it creates a “soap opera effect,” which makes what is happening on the screen clearer but less believable.
HDMI connects TV set-top boxes, Blu-ray and DVD players, game consoles, soundbars, and home theaters. Two types of connectors are common: HDMI 2.0 is sufficient for 4K movies with HDR, and for VRR and HDR games or 8K movies, the most modern HDMI 2.1 is required.
