How to choose your ideal TV: A TV buying guide

Everyone has different needs from a TV. What are yours?

While we all watch TV, what we watch, when we watch it, and even how we watch it is different for everyone. That makes your TV purchase a very personal, individual one. And then there’s the vast array of TVs to choose from which can make things difficult—but it doesn’t have to be! That’s why we wanted to make a TV buying guide to help you get the TV that’s optimized for your needs. Below, we have a few questions that often come up in the search for a new TV to cover the things potential buyers need to take into consideration. Ready to get the information that’ll streamline your TV search? Read on to learn how to buy a TV in 2017.

Q: I want a TV for my bedroom. Where should I start?

Screen size, resolution, and display type are all things to take into consideration to make sure it’s the right TV for the space. But the best place to start is viewing distance, which will ultimately help to determine those factors. Since the TV may be closer to you in the bedroom, a high-definition 4K TV like Samsung QLED TV would be good to ensure that you get crisp details on screen despite it being in closer proximity.^* Industry experts Crutchfield¹ say a viewing distance of 1.5–2.5x the diagonal measurement for UHD (1080p) TVs, and 1–1.5x that measurement for QLED (4K) TVs is ideal. Of course, this isn’t just for bedrooms! If you’re shopping for your living room, you can use this rule of thumb as well.

Q: I often watch TV during the day, what TV is best for that?

Watching TV during the day can be tricky, especially if it’s sunny outside. The competing light source (aka, the sun) can wash out details or even completely cover up a portion of the screen. A TV with HDR would be good for this situation because it keeps details clear on screen even when the scene is dark or bright. In addition to HDR capabilities, consider picking up a TV with Ultra Black technology which helps reflect light sources to lessen glare, like the Samsung QLED TVs. This also goes for people who watch TV at night, because glare can come from lamps in the room as well. The combination of HDR and Ultra Black technology on Samsung QLED TVs keeps the details shining through.

Q: Interior design is important to me; is there a TV that looks as good off as it does on?

It makes sense that when you put forth so much effort with your home decor, the TV should suit it as well. If you’re looking for something to really stand out, check out the curved TVs, which have a unique shape that provides an immersive experience that makes watching TV enjoyable as well as looks striking when not in use. Of course, a flat TV can look stunning as well with more of the classic TV style. We use what we call the boundless 360 design philosophy when creating TVs, and as a result Samsung 2017 TV models look good front to back—curved or flat. You can also choose from two stands—Gravity and Studio—to really make the TV into a beautiful decorative piece.^† The Samsung TV lineup also includes a TV made specifically to be purposeful even when not in use as a TV. With The Frame, you can bring art into your space, displaying your favorite pieces from renowned galleries and artists when you’re not watching TV. It serves two purposes in this way: it’s a high-quality TV, but also a way to create a beautiful experience in your space.

Q: I have a lot of devices for the TV and it gets so cluttered… what can I do?

A TV that offers a tidy cable solution would be best for this situation, to clean up the space around the TV and open up the view. Much like wall mounting, a cable solution helps to minimize the number of cables coming out from the TV, which also lessens the amount of places dust can gather. Some Samsung TVs offer the Invisible Connection, an optical cable with a connector box at the end that allows you to tuck devices out of sight.^§ With the Invisible Connection you can also use the One Remote to control those devices without pulling them out, making your TV time as convenient as it is clean.^‖

Q: The TV area is always full of dust! Is there a way to keep it clean?

Cleaning around the TV can be such a hassle! We get it, and the good news is that mounting your TV on the wall is a good way to keep dust at bay, or at least make it easier to clean. The No-Gap Wall Mount on Samsung 2017 TV models not only makes it simple to install and frees up some floor space (so long, TV cabinet!), it also holds the TV nearly flush with the wall, meaning there are fewer places for dust to settle.

Q: I like watching documentaries to explore the world, how can I get vivid, realistic colors?

High-quality nature documentaries are bursting with beautiful scenes and details you won’t want to miss. That’s why you should look for a TV with serious color capabilities. And because Samsung QLED TV has the New Metal Quantum dot, which produces color in a way that’s incredibly fine and dense, the colors on screen look real and span a large amount of the DCI-P3 color space, which has a part in QLED TV’s verified 100% color volume making an incredible amount of color.

In addition to that, 4K HDR capabilities will ensure that what you see on screen is crisp, clear, and full of detail.^‡ 4K is a high resolution creating crisp imagery, while HDR speaks to screen brightness, which ensures that even bright whites and dark colors are just as detailed. With 4K and HDR technology coming together with the New Metal Quantum dots in Samsung QLED TVs, you’ll get an immersive experience that pulls you in as if you were really in the scene. And this isn’t just for documentaries—you’ll get excellent picture quality for movies, TV shows, and even video games.

Now you’re ready for the search.

Everyone wants something different from their TV. Where your TV goes, when you watch, what you like to watch or do, and even your lifestyle will have a say in what TV would be right for you. And regardless of what that is, everyone can benefit from the qualities of Samsung TVs, so whichever model you bring home, whether it’s QLED TV, UHD TV, or The Frame, it’s the right choice. Now that you have a better idea of what you need to consider when you’re looking for a TV, check out the diverse Samsung 2017 TV lineup to see the options available to you.

¹Steve Kindig, “TV sizes and viewing distance” (Crutchfield)
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-4Px4onQpJwe/learn/learningcenter/home/TV_placement.html?_ga=2.56605294.451088241.1503625143-113571928.1503625143

^*Samsung QLED TV is a Quantum dot-based TV.

^†Gravity and Studio stands sold separately.

^‡Peak brightness may vary depending on the model and size of TV *HDR 1500: Q9 88”, Q8, Q7, HDR 2000: Q9 75″, 65″.

^§The ‘Invisible Connection’ refers to a single, transparent optical cable connected to the One Connect Box integrating external device cables, but it does not refer to the power cable of the TV or cables connected to other devices such as sound bar.

^‖Controlling function may not be supported by certain devices connected to Samsung Smart TV.