Which TV to buy for home: choose the best option

The modern TV market is represented by a huge number of brands and models. And choosing the right one based on the "like / dislike" method is simply impossible. We propose to deal in detail with the basic parameters of the selection of the TV.

Which TV is better to buy: LCD, plasma, LED or LCD

Modern TVs are divided into two types: plasma and liquid crystal. The latter, in turn, differ in the type of illumination and are divided into LED and LCD CCFL. Both those and others are able to fight in the segment of expensive TVs, but it is difficult to find a cheap plasma. We propose to weigh all the arguments "for" and "against" and find out which TV suits you.

LCD TV: LED or LCD?

How does an LCD TV: a crystalline conductive liquid under pressure begins to change under the influence of electric current. This fluid must be highlighted so that we can see the image. It is by the way of lighting LCD TVs are divided into:

• LCD CCFL - CCFL backlit liquid crystal display (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamps - cold cathode fluorescent lamps).
• LED (Light-emitting diode) - diode backlight: a semiconductor device that creates a glow when a current passes through it.

Let's make it clear: LCD and LCD are synonymous, English and Russian abbreviations, respectively. LED is the same LCD, but with a different type of backlight. So, we have LCD CCFL (called LCD TV) and LCD LED (simply referred to as LED-TV).

What is their difference?

• LED TV has the best image quality, thanks to the design of the backlight. In the LCD, one lamp illuminates the entire screen. LED TVs have a large number of LEDs. Therefore, it is possible to create a local dimming of the screen in one area of ​​the screen and increase the brightness in another.
• TV with LED backlight significantly reduces power consumption. According to research, the use of such a backlight allows you to save up to 40% of the electricity consumed using a TV.
• LED TVs do not use mercury. This is a big plus for environmental and safety disposal.
• In LED backlighting it is possible to use diodes of various colors (red, green, blue) to improve color reproduction.
• Some LCD TVs win in front of low-cost LEDs, which may not display the color correctly due to a complex diode control system. Therefore, simple LCD TVs eliminate the loss of image details.
• LED TVs may not differ from simple LCDs if the diodes are arranged using Edge technology (around the perimeter of the screen). In this case, the local dimming mentioned above is impossible.
• Direct technology gives a uniform arrangement of the diodes, because such TVs outperform simple LCDs.

Thus, it is better to choose a TV LED. But be sure to pay attention to the backlight technology, otherwise you will overpay for it, and the TV will hardly differ from LCD CCFL!

LCD or plasma?

What is LCD TV screen - we realized now it remains to deal with the plasma. So, the technology of plasma panels is based on a matrix filled with gas (xenon or neon). The electrodes receive voltage, ionize the gas. The result is a plasma where UV radiation is caused, due to the high frequency discharge. It makes the substance glow.

The main differences between plasma and LCD:

• Plasma has less screen refresh time.Note that in the newest models of LCD TVs the response time is reduced to imperceptible, but the plasma continues to lead here.
• Plasma TVs have a larger viewing angle. Here plays the role of the technology of the plasma panel.
• Plasma tends to fade the display. Of course, you need to try for this, because it is designed for 30-40 thousand hours of use (for an LCD - 80 thousand), which is about 9 years, 8 hours a day. With moderate viewing - enough for 20 years, which is acceptable for home use.
• With regard to energy consumption and heat dissipation - here LCD technology wins. She is assisted by a passive cooling system.
• Contrast image. It is difficult to say what is better and what is worse. Contrast lovers will enjoy the plasma, and those who love a softer image will appreciate the LCD.

Liquid crystal or plasma - you choose. It remains only to compare the plasma with LED-technology.

The main differences between plasma and LED TV:

• LED TV is more reliable and can last longer than plasma.
• LED TVs are more practical than plasma ones regarding power consumption.
• Plasma TVs usually have better resolution.

Not so long ago, a plasma TV was considered a luxury, now it has become quite affordable, LED technology is also seeking accessibility.

Which 3D TV is better active or passive

We turn to the choice of TV with support for 3D-technology. 3D-TV gives us a "three-dimensional" picture and the opportunity to find yourself in the center of events occurring on the TV screen. Why is "three-dimensional" - in quotes? The fact is that there is no full-fledged 3D in modern home TVs, only stereo is called that. A man looks with two eyes and sees one picture.

For the reduction of two pictures that each eye sees separately, the stereo analyzer is responsible. This is where 3D-glasses come to the rescue, allowing you to get a three-dimensional image. As a result, each eye sees its own picture, hence the effect of presence. Therefore, the name "3D" is just a convention. By and large, even in cinemas, three-dimensional technology is poorly developed, what can we say about TVs. However, there are quality models.

3D TV

Active technology: advantages and disadvantages

We will understand what is active 3D. It is also called the "bolt". The name comes from the essence of the method: using active glasses with shutters and its own power. This method is based on the inertia of vision, while the picture is shown alternately for the left and right eyes. The shutters are inherently transparent liquid crystal displays.

Sony Active 3D Glasses

The advantages of active 3D:

• High image quality;
• Maximum resolution for each eye (1080p).

Disadvantages of active 3D:

• Eye fatigue. Not recommended for people with vision problems. If you view 3D content a little and infrequently - perhaps there will be no problems.
• High price. The glasses themselves are quite expensive (up to 3 or more thousand rubles). In addition, the active 3D playback method requires special additional playback devices (Blu-Ray 3D player or BD3D ISO players). It is possible to play without these devices, but then using the 3D capabilities to the maximum will not work. In a word - you want active 3D - you will have to spend more than just TV!
• The loss of brightness (more than that of passive 3D) and the likelihood of interference with a split image.

It is believed that the active method is the most complex and progressive. However, manufacturers now face the challenge of upgrading 3D shutter. High picture quality comes at the expense of vision.

Passive 3D: the pros and cons

Briefly explain the essence of the method. Passive 3D is also called polarization. It is based on the polarization effect: the picture is displayed on the screen for both eyes at the same time. Because of this, the resolution of the image falls twice. This method is quite widespread and is used mainly in budget TVs.This has its own peculiarity: it is difficult to get high-quality 3D even with expensive equipment, and here you know what you are paying for. And not much.

Passive 3D glasses

+ Advantages of passive 3D:

• Eyes are not tired so much as from shutter glasses with LCD displays. After watching the movie you do not want to run outside or rinse your eyes.
• Simplicity of design. They do not require power and additional devices.
• Low cost. In addition - no need to buy an additional player, just a simple TV with passive 3D.
• Pretty tolerable image relative to the brightness of the picture.
• No flicker shutters.

- Disadvantages of the polarization method:

• Resolution - twice as low. 1920x540 for vertical and 960x1080 for horizontal stereo pairs.

Some manufacturers combine the slide and polarization method of 3D playback. Summarize the conclusions on the choice of 3D-technology when buying a TV.

Recommendations before buying a 3D TV

In order to determine which 3D viewing method will suit you personally, the above data will only be a support for the selection. We give brief recommendations before buying:

• Come to the store, choose your favorite TV with active 3D, watch some video. If your eyes become quickly tired - then you need passive 3D.
• Pay attention to the table diagonals TV. Active 3D will be relevant, with a full picture of 720-1080p. If the distance does not allow to fully consider the 3D - it makes no sense to buy such a TV. It is worth paying attention to the passive version.

• Passive 3D is more suitable for low-cost TVs. If the price for you is not of paramount importance, and you are pursuing the best picture quality - plus the active one.
• Points for active 3D are almost 6 (!) Times more expensive. If the number of viewers is small - you can fork out. And when the whole family or friends want to watch TV at the same time, it’s worth thinking about.

Choose a TV with a greater emphasis on 3D - not recommended. High-quality 3D content is quite small. 3D technology on televisions is so far underdeveloped. First of all - pay attention to comfort for your eyes.

Smart TV: how useful is it and is it necessary at all

The main purpose of the Smart TV platform is:

• The use of special applications and Internet sites that store movies and music;
• Combining all devices into a single network and displaying all files from these devices on the TV screen;
• Access to social networks (mainly Skype) without interrupting the viewing of television programs;
• Internet surfing;
• The use of applications that expand the capabilities of the TV.

Let's start with the good, with the benefits. In models from 2013 and older, keyboard and mouse support began to appear. HDMI allows you to use your TV as a high-resolution monitor. Began to appear several USB ports for connecting devices. Many users find applications useful and use Skype and other programs.

Let's give an example with LG 3D Smart TV:

The flip side of the medal is the price markup, from which it is not always possible to get rid of: “smart TV” has become the basis for the functionality of almost all high-quality modern TVs. Even the shortcomings of applications are relegated to the background when we talk about the convenience of control: with one finger from the remote control. Specialized controller-consoles began to appear, in particular, from Sony and LG:

Sony remote controller

Manufacturers are actively trying to solve the problem of inconvenient control of smart TV

The disadvantage of Smart TV from some manufacturers is to "snoop" on the user for promotional purposes. One such example is “smart TV” from LG, whose website sends data about files written to external plug-in devices. Channel tracking is also monitored.There is an option to disable such "surveillance", but in reality it does not work. In general, when choosing a TV, this is uncritical, but for those who are seriously concerned about anonymity, this is not particularly pleasant, as is superfluous advertising.

Summarize: Smart TV in most cases is a simple addition, which is not taken into account when choosing a TV. You can download some free apps and stop here. But we’ll take into account that it is developing, applications are improving, it becomes possible to connect various controllers, surfing the Internet becomes more real. Perhaps in the future there will be more benefits.

Choosing a brand: does it matter

The brand of the TV is the first thing the buyer pays attention to, so we are arranged. Still, you should not dwell on the brand. A rough rating shows that Samsung is confidently holding the first place, and we must give it its due. It is followed by Sony, Panasonic, LG, Toshiba, Philips. But these data mean the success of the company in the Russian market. Decent TV can be found at any of these competitors.

Brands Myths

The two most common myths are:

• Myth number 1: The company should specialize in specific equipment. Samsung, for example, takes almost all the necessary equipment in everyday life: from smartphones, tablets and computers to refrigerators and vacuum cleaners. And this does not mean that the quality of a specific product of this company will be worse. It all depends on the specific model and its characteristics.
• Myth number 2: Dear - it means good. Look at other models, read reviews, compare characteristics. You can close your eyes and buy Sony with a full range of modern features, and you can find a similar model at a lower price. Watch out for stocks and real value.

The most universal brand is Samsung, which has taken root in the Russian market quite well. The service network is developed, the company offers TVs of various price categories practically for all groups of the population. Panasonic, LG, Philips, Toshiba try to keep up with the omnipresent Samsung and offer excellent options. If we talk about budget TVs, namely, Sharp, JVC, Horizon, Ruby, Supra and others - you probably will not get the highest quality and a set of numerous useful functions, but the picture quality - in principle, suits. This TV can be put in the kitchen.

When choosing a brand of TV, pay attention to the availability of service centers. After all, for any malfunction with warranty service, you will go to the store where you purchased the product, and then send it to the service center. And if that is not in your city, it will take a long time to wait. In this regard, Sony TVs are inferior, the network of service centers of this company is poorly developed. But Sony is considered the number one brand in quality, and breakdowns are quite rare.

Conclusion: first of all, always pay attention to the picture quality and functionality of a specific model. Even eminent firms can make mistakes. Brand loyalty is formed when using technology, and not with the help of advertising gimmicks!

Having studied the basic parameters of modern TVs, it is time to make a choice. Of course, the main factor here is the budget. Choosing a price segment, compare your favorite TVs. Which TV is better to buy - the best option will be to buy LED TV. Do not focus on Smart-functions if you are not sure if you need them.

When choosing 3D - in most cases it is more profitable to buy a TV with passive 3D technology: you will not look at a lot of 3D, and in order to get the whole family together once a week, polarization glasses will be enough. Brand does not play a key role. See the main offers of shops, promotions, and most importantly technical specifications. And on the basis of the knowledge gained - feel free to go to the store and choose the TV that you are comfortable to watch!