5 key things to look out for when buying a new TV in 2021

How to buy a new TV?

Buying a new TV can be a nightmare. We are all familiar with smartphones, because we often encounter the purchase of these devices. With televisions, these purchases are less frequent, and as a result, we are less adept at this purchase. That's why it's good to be thoughtful or informed. So what TV to buy in 2021.  This shopping guide will guide you through the key 5 things you need to know before buying a new TV. So, 5 key things that we often overestimate and do wrong when buying a new TV.

What TV to buy in 2021?!

Video: What TV to buy?! 5 Key Things to Pay Attention to When Buying a New TV!

Let it be your technical guide or Sherpa through TV shopping wilderness. Namely, in stores there is an astonishing range of different TVs, which differ from each other in terms of size, technologies, resolutions and operating systems. And when you are faced with all this information, you often get lost! And you only choose by values and sizes. Which can often be very wrong.

How do I buy a new TV and what should I know when buying?!

After reading this guide, you will confidently go to the nearest dealer and ask for exactly the type of television you use, want or are willing to pay for. There is no way they will have to sell you a cat in a cage. Namely, you will know exactly what you need to know!

Let's look at the 5 key things most people do wrong when buying a TV!

1st mistake: choosing the wrong TV size!

When you walk into a television store in 2021, keep your eyes on the really big ones. So at least 55+ inches. The reason is primarily the fact that the picture has improved tremendously in recent years due to better and higher quality production and is often already in the 4K standard. There is so much detail in the picture itself, and you can watch TV really close, but you won't notice any "errors" in the picture. Therefore, television in 2021 can be watched much closer than a few years ago and can be much larger than was recommended some time ago. Televisions with 4K resolution are the standard, but slowly and surely televisions with 8K resolution are also coming. There will be no content for them for some time, and providers will avoid this type of content for some time due to the amount of data transfer. Therefore, we do not recommend 8K television in 2021! As far as technology is concerned, there are currently branded televisions OLED those that most correctly reproduce the image and color tones. Here, each pixel on the screen emits its "own" tone. So stretch your "budget" and buy a large television with tags 4K and OLED. And then add a size above 55”. You can't go wrong with this combination. Of course, I could go on and on about the technologies, but then you will get completely lost, which is not the point of this quick guide.

Summary: Buy a 4K and OLED TV. Pay attention to that QLED is not the same as OLED. These are similar abbreviations, but completely different technology. Choose as large a TV as possible - the standard at the moment is 55". However, we definitely recommend that you go one number higher!

Information table of the recommended ideal distance (OLED, 4K):

* 50” – 213 cm / * 55” – 235 cm / * 65” – 277 cm / * 70” – 294 cm

2. Mistake: buying a TV without an additional sound system!

Sound is one of the most important components of the television viewing experience. Can you imagine a good movie without a good soundtrack or sound effects? In 2021, almost no television is capable of producing good sound, as televisions have shrunk and become extremely thin due to advances in display technologies. As a result, the speakers and the space for sound propagation are smaller and thus the sound is extremely poor. Since a good picture in combination with bad sound absolutely does not work well, you need to be aware that for the right experience you will have to use an additional sound system or a so-called "sound bar". The latter can quickly cost you 500 or more euros. The cost you have to factor in when buying a new TV. Some manufacturers, such as the Philips brand, in cooperation with the sound specialist Bowers and Wilkins, offered an integrated "set" of excellent television Philips OLED 935, which includes a connected and optimized Bowers and Wilkins audio system. So, when you are going to buy your new television, you must add to the purchase the cost of buying a "sound" system, or go to the manufacturer's television, which has solved this issue with distinction. Philips is for its Philips OLED 935 model won the award for TV with the best sound in 2020.

Summary: Televisions have become thin and therefore their sound is worse! In the price of the television, you must also factor in the additional sound system, which is mandatory if you want a cinema experience.

Error 3: Your new TV's operating system is wrong

We live in a world of apps that also rule our phones. And a very similar story is happening with smart TVs. They house applications. So, in most cases, you no longer need your operator's "setup" box, but rather start your operator's application on your new smart TV, where all your TV programs are. So smart TVs 2021 work without additional boxes and with only one remote. In Slovenia, you can watch the programs of all major operators in this way, right through the apps - NEO light (Telecom), T2, Aeon (Telemachus), and there are a multitude of others. The point of your choice is that the application of the operator with which you have a subscription relationship is also available for your new television. You should check this before buying a TV. The system is currently in charge here in Slovenia Android TV, which, as the name suggests, comes from the Android operating system that powers most smartphones in the world. For it, all Slovenian operators have prepared the same application that you know from the provider's "box". As you have definitely noticed, applications on your phones such as Netflix, Vojo, HBO... have been developed for this Android operating system, which are consequently immediately integrated into the Android TV operating system. Also, there are by far the most applications available for this system. Therefore, in 2021, we recommend that your new television is powered by the Android TV operating system. This will avoid a possible long-term wait for the manufacturer's adjustments. Most of the updates are also extremely up-to-date.

Summary: Smart TVs run different operating systems. When purchasing, you should check whether there is an application from your operator for a specific operating system and what the experience is with the application itself. The most app-rich system is Android TV, a system similar to the one that runs on your phone and for which all your favorite apps are developed.

4th mistake: unsightly cables, two or three remotes...

Televisions have therefore become extremely thin screens, which are fashionable in the largest possible format. As we have already mentioned, it is precisely because of the progress in technology that it is mandatory to buy a sound system, because there is no room for decent speakers in the television. Here, pay particular attention to hiding the various cables, which work unaesthetically if they "weave" under the television and thus connect your "new" sound system. This is where most possible design sins and challenges arise. Pay attention that you will be able to control your television with one control and that you can also control a classic box with it via a data connection. This means you can, this box rests in the closet and the remote will still work. It is even better to run the application of your teleoperator on your smart TV, where all TV programs are located. It's hard to talk about the design. The screens are extremely similar to each other. This is also why we think that design is important above all in the user experience itself, which must be designed in such a way that the user is practically unaware of the connection of all systems. All he does is pick up the TV remote and the thing works as expected. It pops off in design Philips, which is the only one that offers Ambient Light at the same time. So ambient background lighting behind the TV set. This expands the visual image, and the eyes adapt differently to watching TV because of this light. From aesthetic aspect this kind of television is definitely not boring. At the same time, this light can be activates even when the television is off and thus serves as additional light in the room.

Summary: When buying a TV, consult the seller carefully, who must explain to you how your sound system will be connected to the new TV. Wireless connections are not the best solution. In any case, insist on finding a TV with a sales consultant where everything will work with one remote control. Both sound, applications, and connection with a possible operator's box. Check whether the operator has developed an application for your new device.

5th mistake: price

Things are complicated here, but as usual quite simple. The more advanced and new the technology, the higher the price. That's how they dominate today LCD televisions, which are the most common gold standard. And therefore also the cheapest. They are followed by improved ones LED LCD TV QLED receiver. And the new technology that carries the tag OLED and is significantly different from classic LCD technology. Namely, with OLED technology, each pixel emits its own light, which is precisely why the picture is excellent. OLED screens are therefore also more expensive. Of course, regardless of the technology, the price depends on the screen size, which has also been the case in the past. Do you like good sound, do you also demand it from your new television? Then you will have to add a few hundred more for "sound equipment".

The selection of a new television is complex and many factors must be taken into account. How far do we sit from the television, how many of us sit? Does our operator offer content in 4K? Do we watch a lot of Netflix or mostly regular TV programming? Are we audiophiles and sound is extremely important to us? We want the TV to be the only piece of technology that can be used as a "music tower" or a "gaming" corner for your favorite console. Do we change frequently or will our new TV stay with us for a whole decade?
Therefore, it is necessary to be very pragmatic and prudent.

Summary: Today, a large 55-inch television can be bought for as little as 400 euros. For the same size, but with the most advanced technology, we can charge 4x more. It is necessary to find a golden mean, depending on what television means to you, how you watch it and what you will do with it.

The lines written above are just an orientation for each individual when buying a television and they illuminate some key elements. You do not watch or will not watch content in 4K, because your link may be with bad internet? Don't care about the sound and need a TV to follow a completely normal news program? Are you the type of person who spends hours watching various series and movie news through streaming platforms? Do you like a good video that goes perfectly with it? quality sound? Would you like to control your TV with just one remote? You want it to be perfectly "paired" with your phone and an extension of that. These are questions that a great salesperson should ask you and answer before you head out to get your new TV.