Size
The optimal size of the TV depends primarily on the distance from which it is planned to watch. If the diagonal on the screen is too small, it will be difficult to see the details, you will have to strain; if too large, the image will be much larger than the field of view, which is also undesirable. The best option is the situation when the distance to the TV corresponds to 3 - 4 of its diagonals: for example, for a size of 32 "(80 cm), the recommended distance is about 2.5 - 3 m.
The size of the diagonal of the screen affects both the cost of the TV and its general equipment. So, among models smaller than 32" there are often
TVs without Smart TV and other advanced features; TVs for
32 -
55" can be both quite simple and advanced; and a large screen, more than 55", in most cases is combined with extensive additional functionality.
Now the following popular diagonals are on the market:
32 ",
39 - 40",
43",
49",
49 - 50",
55",
65",
75" and
more than 80".
Sound power
The nominal power of the sound produced by the TV's sound system.
The larger the screen and the greater the estimated distance to the viewer, the more powerful the sound system must be in order to be heard normally. Manufacturers take this moment into account, moreover, most often they also provide a solid volume margin. So if a TV is bought for home viewing in a quiet, calm environment, you can not pay much attention to the sound power: it is guaranteed to be enough for such a usage. It makes sense to specifically look for models with high-power speakers for a noisy environment — for example, a cafe or other public space. Detailed recommendations on this matter can be found in special sources, but here we note that even in such cases, connecting external speakers can be a good alternative.
Audio decoders
A decoder can be broadly described as a standard in which digital audio (often multi-channel) is recorded. For normal playback of such sound, it is necessary that the corresponding decoder is supported by the device. Dolby Digital and DTS were the first in multi-channel decoding, gradually improving and introducing new features. The final stage for 2020 is Dolby Atmos and DTS X decoders.
–
Dolby Atmos. A decoder that uses not a rigid distribution of sound across channels, but the processing of audio objects, due to which it can be used with almost any number of channels on a reproducing system — the sound will be divided between channels so that each audio object is heard as close as possible to its proper place. When using Dolby Atmos, ceiling speakers (or speakers facing the ceiling) are highly desirable. However, in extreme cases, you can do without them.
— DTS X. An analogue of the Dolby Atmos described above, when the sound is distributed not through individual channels, but through audio objects. The digital signal contains information about where (according to the director's intention) the object audible to the user should be and how it should move, and the processor of the reproducing device processes this information and determines exactly how the sound should be distributed over the available channels in order to achieve the required localization. Thanks to this, DTS X is not tied to a specific number of audi
...o channels — there can be as many as you like, the system will automatically divide the sound into them, achieving the desired sound. Also note that this decoder allows you to separately adjust the volume of dialogues.Additional inputs
The TV's connectivity options are based not only on wireless technologies (described above), but also on a wired connection. In particular, additional video transmission can be carried out through
VGA,
composite AV connectors . Some of them also provide sound transmission, in addition to which there may be a
mini-Jack (3.5 mm) and other ports for communication with external devices. More about them:
—
USB. Connector for connecting external peripheral devices. The presence of USB means at least that the TV is capable of playing content from flash drives and other external USB media. In addition, there may be other ways to use this input:
recording TV programs to external media, connecting a WEB camera (see same paragraph), keyboard and mouse to use the built-in browser and other software, etc. The specific set of options depends on the functionality of the TV, it should be specified separately in each case.
—
Card reader. A device for working with memory cards, most often in SD format. The main use of the card reader is to play content from such cards on a TV; such an opportunity is especially convenient for viewing materials from photo and video cameras — it is in such devices that memory cards are widely used. There may be other ways to use this function — fo
...r example, recording from the broadcast or even exchanging files between the card and the TV's storage. It is worth bearing in mind that SD cards have several subtypes — original SD, SD HC and SD XC, and not all of them may be supported by the card reader.
— LAN. Standard connector for wired connection to computer networks (both local and the Internet). Mostly found in models with Smart TV support (including Android TV devices; see related paragraphs). A wired connection is less convenient than Wi-Fi, not as aesthetically pleasing, so manufacturers place more emphasis on a wireless connection, as a result of which the speed indicators of the LAN connector are not indicated, and in some cases may be unacceptable for 4K broadcasts.
— VGA. Analogue video input, also known as D-sub 15 pin. Initially, the VGA interface was developed for computers, but due to the emergence of more advanced standards like HDMI (see below) and technical limitations (the maximum resolution is only 1280x1024, the inability to transmit sound), it is considered obsolete and is used less and less. So it makes sense to specifically look for a TV with such a connector mainly in cases where it is planned to be used as a monitor for an outdated computer or laptop.
– Composite AV input. Analogue input for video and audio transmission. Previously, it consisted of 3 RCA sockets (yellow for video, white and red for audio) and was connected to the equipment accordingly. Now in many models you can find an AV output, which is a single connector in the “headphone” format, to which a tee cable is already connected (check availability in the package).
— COM port (RS-232). A connector originally designed for computer equipment. In TVs, it is used as a service interface: for troubleshooting, updating firmware, adjusting TV parameters and various calibrations, integrating the TV into centralized remote control systems, etc. Note that the COM port may differ in shape and contact group in different TV models. It is often designated as RS-232C.Wall mount
Most TVs have a VESA wall mount which may vary in size. The basis for such mount is a rectangular plate with four holes for screws in the corners. The main characteristic of such a mount is the distance between the holes — it is measured along the sides of the rectangle and is expressed in two numbers. The original VESA format is 100x100, these mounts are used for most medium-sized LCD TVs. For small screens, 75x75 mounts are provided, for large ones — 200x200 and more (up to 800x400).
However, there are also models that are equipped with a standard (proprietary) mount from the manufacturer. Mostly these are either ultra-thin TVs or designer lines. Anyway, the mount in the kit is suitable only for the selected model.
Stand shape
— 2 separate legs.
Two legs as support are usually located on different sides of the lower face of the TV panel body. Such a design involves placing the TV on a large flat surface that extends along the entire lower side of the device. The TV is often more stable on two "legs" than on
one leg.
— 1 leg on the platform. A support for the TV with a round or rectangular platform, which is in contact with the surface of the TV panel (table, stand, etc.) with its entire plane.
— 1 leg with supports. Stands of this kind consist of a single leg and a base of various geometric shapes that holds the TV. This solution ensures reliable stability of the TV panel, and in terms of design, it is a stylish element of the design of the structure.
— Monolithic. A solid stand with two or more attachment points to the bottom of the TV and monolithic frames as a solid support for installing the TV panel on a flat surface of a table or stand.