Big TVs
Looking for a new TV these days can be a bit confusing. As an engineer and video enthusiast, I have struggled with comparing brands, shopping prices, and researching options. I wanted to take a few minutes to try to simplify the process or at least provide some clarity on priorities.
"Location, Location, Location"
I install multiple displays on most projects I get involved with. Not all of the locations are categorized as "critical viewing." Kitchens, brightly lit Dens, Bedrooms, or Bathrooms don't require Theater grade displays. The rule of thumb for optimal seating is head-on, with the sweet spot being within 2x-4x your screen height. If the display is used for "casual viewing," don't be afraid to score a deal. I am not a fan of mixing and matching with manufacturers; Samsung, LG, and Sony all provide good/better/best models within their current product offerings.
"You get what you pay for."
Sadly, this is true for almost all manufacturers in the current market. I am traditionally a Samsung fan for continuity of quality across all product lines. LG has had some of the best-rated displays in its OLED product family for the last few years. In their higher-end product lines, both manufacturers offer some jaw-dropping quality. While some believe the numbers speak for themselves, I urge you to get out and look. Video is very subjective; places like Best Buy offer an excellent opportunity to compare manufacturers side by side. I enjoy vibrant colors, deep contrast, excellent black representation, and smooth motion.
"All the bells and whistles"
Try not to go down the rabbit hole; comparing all the options from model to model can be challenging enough. Once you try sorting this on the manufacturing level, all the air can get quickly sucked out of the room. Here is the skinny in the simplest terms possible; most mid-level products today usually offer functional options unavailable in the less expensive models. The overall video quality difference is typically negligible; this is to say most folks wouldn't notice the difference; for "casual viewing," I would suggest following the deals. The caveat to this last statement is that I would stick with one of the top three manufacturers. Yes, some cheap TVs have big screens, but if you want to pay for quality instead of saving money on compromise, stick with the big three.
There is a significant difference in the video quality between the middle and the top; welcome to "critical viewing." Manufacturers stake both their reputations and margins in this sliver of the market share, and the good news is that you can't go wrong. Again, video is subjective, and I would go with the display that makes you stand back and go "WOW." I install a lot of great displays, but I still experience this feeling periodically when revisiting projects or installing high-end displays for the first time. Honestly, stepping back and appreciating the quality never gets old.
For me, the best is usually a toss-up between LG and Samsung. When clients express that they are looking for more, I might take a breath and ask them about their preferred content. Are they movie folks, sports fans, or streaming fanatics? The primary differentiator between these two brands is their support of Dolby Vision versus HDR10+.
Dolby Vision verse HDR10+
I have endeavored to keep this article short and as untechnical as possible, but I might be remiss if I didn't offer some explanation and content on the matter. Dolby Vision and HDR10+ are HDR formats that use dynamic metadata to adjust brightness, contrast, and color settings. This means your TV reads some invisible data to change the display automatically in real-time. This might improve performance and enhance the experience while watching a particular content.
"Whooptydoo, but what does it all mean, Basil."
Yep, it's just as excellent and awful as it sounds; Dolby Vision is a licensed technology and not royalty-free (currently supported by LG). HDR10 and HDR10+ are open-sourced and supported by Samsung, but not LG. This is literally the Betamax versus VHS of our time. There are some TV manufacturers out there that support both, like Philps, Panasonic TCL, and Visio, but the fact that I haven't referenced any of these manufacturers until the end of the article should speak volumes.
I have lost some sleep (and some hair) researching these competing formats. I might ask a client about their top three favorite shows or preferred streaming service provider. There are more than a few lists on the Internet of movies that support both formats. My suggestion is not to agonize over the choice but simply enjoy the view…
