YThere are so many variables when you are looking to buy a television that it may be difficult to decide which is the best for you. The competition between high-end, advanced performance has redefined what is available from a low or mid-range TV set. Televisions come with a multitude of features, smart capabilities, and technologies to consider so that you get the television that is perfect for you, whether it is to watch your favorite soap opera or for a full home cinema experience. TV technology includes Ultra HD, Wide Color Gamut and HDR display standards in most TVs with the newest in hardware specifications being the HDMI 2.1 standard, offering 8K resolution at 60 frames per second, as well as a range of new gaming features that will be supported over HDMI.
Here we break down the different TV technologies and compare those televisions currently on the market to help you decide:
TV technologies
LCD TV
LCD (liquid crystal display) is the core technology used in almost all TVs, and type of TV. LCD flat panel televisions have improved over the years and offer value for money. Until recently, all LCD TVs were backlit by always-on, CCFL (cold cathode fluorescent) lamps usually found in cell phones and computer monitors because LCD crystals do not produce their own light. However, this aging technology has now been superseded by the superior LED method on more expensive sets but is still standard on some cheaper models. LCD TVs can be made very thin, and whilst they display images progressively, they can display a variety of resolutions, from 480p up to 8K.
LED TV
The LED designation on a TV actually refers to the LCD TV's backlighting system, not the chips that produce the image content. LED (light emitting diodes) TVs are still LCD TVs. It is just that they use LED backlights rather than the fluorescent-type backlights of most other LCD TVs. This allows areas of brightness and darkness to be displayed more effectively, providing superior contrast. LED TVs are also more energy efficient and have an excellent overall picture quality. The direct LED sets are much deeper than the ultra-thin edge LED televisions, closely resembling cheaper LCD TVs with CCFL backlights.
OLED TV
The backlighting on OLED (organic light emitting diode) sets achieved by passing an electric current through an emissive, electroluminescent film. This technique produces far better colors and higher contrast and also enables screens to be extremely thin and flexible. This new display technology is expensive, but the best offer picture quality that cannot be bettered, as each pixel can be switched off individually (creating a 'true' inky black). The best OLED televisions combine 4K and HDR technology.
Curved TV
Some manufacturers are now making TVs that have slightly curved screens. The idea is that this makes every pixel equidistant from your eyes, entering slightly more into your peripheral vision, increasing depth perception, and thereby drawing you deeper into the story you are watching. However, these televisions have a “sweet spot” and if you are sitting more than 40 degrees to one side, the image is so distorted it is uncomfortable to be a viewer.
Quantum Dot
Quantum Dot Technology produces richer colors, with the dots adding another layer of nano-sized particles between an LED backlight and the LCD display layer in an LCD TV. Technology continues to improve in relation to nanocrystal filtering based on quantum dot technology so that the color palette and contrast levels are soon likely to reach the heights of that provided with OLED.
Plasma TV
Plasma, or PDP (plasma display panel), TVs use glass panels containing millions of tiny cells filled with a mixture of inert gases. Electricity agitates the gases so that they illuminate the pixels across the screen. Plasma TV, while arguably superior to LCD in terms of contrast and color accuracy, is rarely seen on sale today since it is only viable on large (42in+) screens and are subject to burn-in if a static image is displayed on the screen for too long.
TVs comparison: Which one TV to buy?
Choosing a television can feel like a minefield with so many possibilities. For a top of the range 4K model, the highest recommendation is for the Samsung 65-inch Q9FN QLED TV, with outstanding picture quality and unexpectedly strong audio at a better price than comparable OLED systems. However, there are others worthy of mention, including the new models like the Hisense H9F Android TV, Sony's Z9G 8K TV and the Vizio V-Series 50-inch 4K HDR Smart TV (V505-G9).
The best 4K TV overall: Samsung 65-inch Q9FN QLED TV
An LCD TV with Quantum Dots and a refresh rate of 120Hz, this 65-inch screen-size smart-TV has a sleek design and a picture quality at near OLED levels. Built by Samsung, it has the Bixby voice assistant and superb built-in sound. The HDR performance is strong, and it supports most major formats except for Dolby Vision. This good-looking television has an almost invisible single-cable connection, which means it looks great on the wall.
Value smart-TV: TCL 6 Series 65-inch Roku TV
This TV has a 65- inch LCD screen and a refresh rate of 60Hz. The picture quality is impressive, with rich colors, and the smart-TV platform is reliable and good with voice search, using a mic built right into the remote. There is also Dolby Vision support. The only downsides are that viewing off-angle is not perfect, and there is no private-listening headphone jack on the remote. Yet, this is great value for money, with a stylish brushed-metal design.
Best premium OLED: Sony Master Series A9F OLED
This 65-inch OLED TV has a refresh rate of 120Hz and the most impressive OLED display and HDR performance. This is an expensive set, but it combines with Sony's sophisticated video-processing hardware which supports Dolby Vision and IMAX Enhanced format as well as the basic formats such as HDR10 and HLG plus Acoustic Surface Audio+ sound system to provide arguably the best sound quality of any TV. With the Android Oreo also improving the smart-TV experience, the A9F offers the best viewing you will find on a 4K TV.
Best value 4K TV: TCL 43S517 Roku Smart 4K TV
Slick design at an affordable price, this 43-inch LCD screen has a 60Hz refresh rate and a better than average experience from this brand. The color reproduction and accuracy are very good, as is the sound quality. At a bargain price, the TV includes Dolby Vision HDR, Dolby Atmos audio support and integrated Roku voice search