Amazon.ca: TV Buying Guide: Electronics

TV specs and why they matter

Let's talk resoulution and refresh rate - what do they mean?
And why they matter.

TV screen options at a glance

If you already know what you need to know about TV screen tech, jump to "How you watch". If not, lets dive into the details.

Let's talk TV screen tech

TV Tech is always changing, so let's breakdown the details that are important when deciding - and why.

LCD – A great value option for bright spaces

An LCD TV is a liquid-crystal display (LCD) that uses a fluorescent backlight (CCFLs) to display the image through the screen. The screen is constantly and evenly illuminated, which means darker images can appear too bright or washed out.

They’re a great option for occasional daytime watching spaces.

- The best value for budgets

- Shorter screen lifetime than other screens

Shop LCD

LED – Bright colourful screens, best for smaller spaces.

LED TVs have an LCD (liquid crystal display) screen – but they’re backlit by LED lights instead of CCFLs, which means more lighting control for greater colour and contrast.

The inability to control the light’s colour and density makes them more ideal for smaller spaces.

- More expensive than LCD TVs

- LED TVs last longer than LCDs

- More energy efficient than LCDs

Shop LED

QLED – Excellent quality for price

QLED TVs are LED TVs with a quantum dot layer behind the screen – this helps to produce the right coloured backlights, for more vibrant and accurate colours on-screen.

The layer of quantum dots supercharges colour and brightness.

- Great colour accuracy

- Great for med-large size rooms

- Better contrast (deeper blacks) than Nano Cell

Shop QLED

OLED – Great TVs for gaming

Because OLED’s pixels produce their own light, this display can control colours on a pixel-by-pixel basis, making them the gold standard for colour, image quality and viewing angles.

The tech is awesome, but they’re not as bright as LED or QLED TVs and are slightly more prone to image burn-in.*

- Lighter & thinner than other TVs

- Top of the line tech = top of the line prices

- The most energy efficient

*Image burn-in happens when an image is on-screen so long it remains even after you’ve changed the content – e.g. Constantly watching a channel that keeps its logo constant in the corner.

Shop OLED

NanoCell – Great for watching sports

Similar to QLED – a layer of nanoparticles between the lights and the screen filters out unwanted light wavelengths (light that bleeds through) to improve the vividness and accuracy of displayed colors (including lights and darks).

While the tech may be similar to QLED, viewing angles are better with a nanoparticle layer vs. a quantum dot layer.

- Great response time

- Not prone to burn-in* if left on a static image too long

- Less energy efficient than OLEDs

*Image burn-in happens when an image is on-screen so long it remains even after you’ve changed the content – e.g. Constantly watching a channel that keeps its logo constant in the corner.

Shop NanoCell

Outdoor – Specialized TVs for enjoying outside

These TVs are built to be enjoyed in the sunshine, and durable enough to survive all weather conditions. They come weatherproofed and sealed with built-in temperature management.

Outdoor screens are specially made to auto adjust to the changing lighting conditions throughout the day.

- Made from more durable materials

- Rust resistant

- Include an anti-glare coating

Shop Outdoor

For how you watch

What you do most on your TV can help you decide the best TV for you.

Sports

Choose a TV that responds fast and has a screen that’s great at all viewing angles, so you don’t miss a single bit of the action.

Choose at least a 120Hz refresh rate

NanoCell and OLED screens are best at all angles

Skip the lag or buffering with a direct ethernet connection

Shop TVs for Sports >

Gaming

When it comes to gaming, make sure it’s future-proof – get a TV that’s responsive and ahead of the tech curve.

Choose at least a 120Hz refresh rate

Low latency is key for lag-free, uninterrupted interactivity – 30ms or less

Think about having multiple HDMI ports and a direct internet connection

Shop TVs for Gaming >

Movies

Movie lovers need TVs with excellent colour and contrast. Great built-in sound is a plus, but the real win is adding surround sound.

OLED & QLED screens deliver the best contrast ratios for brighter colours and deeper blacks

Make sure your TV supports movies encoded with High Dynamic Range

Watching on anything less than an 4K TV just won’t do. TIP: Grab Blue-ray disks for the best experience

Shop TVs for Movies >

Streaming

If your time is best spent on your favourite streaming platforms (like Amazon Prime Video) choose a high-quality TV that serves your content the way it’s meant to be watched.

Unlike satellite and cable television, streaming services deliver a lot of their content in 4K

A good internet connection is key for fast connection to your favourite apps

Tip: an ethernet connection will increase your speeds (and decrease any buffering)

Shop TVs for Streaming >

It’s important to choose the right TV for your space

Too small and you won’t be able to see it, too big and it will be overwhelming. Measure how far you’ll sit from your TV to find the perfect size for your space.

To Smart TV, or not to Smart TV?

From streaming media services to web browsing and social apps, Smart TVs allow you to access all your content at the single push of a button. Some people prefer to view their content from connected devices like media boxes or gaming consoles. So, the real question is, is one right for you?

What makes them so smart?

Round it out with sound

Sound and acoustics play a huge role in the entertainment experience. Here are a few things to keep in mind when thinking about your new TV and the space it’s going in.

Built-in audio

With flatter screens comes smaller speakers, but there’s some exciting new tech like Acoustic Surface Audio that uses a vibrating screen to make sound appear to come from the place it’s supposed to. Great for small to mid-sized rooms.

Soundbars

Soundbars are a super easy (and sometimes a very affordable) way to make a big difference in your sound quality – especially if you get one with a subwoofer. Great for mid to large-sized rooms.

Shop Soundbars >

Surround sound

The very best way to get immersive cinema quality sound is with a system of speakers in multiple places. Great for large rooms, cinema rooms or for expanding sound throughout the house.

Shop Surround Sound Systems>

Outdoor speakers

Durable waterproof speakers are a great way to entertain outdoors.

Shop Outdoor Speakers>

Let's talk accessories

No new TV purchase is complete without the right place to put it and the little extras needed to make your experience perfect for your lifestyle.

Wall Mounts

From multiple viewing angles to a built-in storage solution, wall mounts are a great way to display your new TV.

Cabinets & stands

Make sure you have the right space for your new TV. Measure the space you’re putting it to ensure it’s big enough for your TV’s stand.

Inputs & cables

All TVs come with a power cable, but if you’re hooking up consoles, media boxes, speakers or connecting directly to the internet, make sure you have all the cords you’ll need to get set up when your TV is delivered.

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