There are so many
variables presented to you when buying a new TV. Hitesh Raj Bhagat & Karan
Bajaj answer some of the burning questions you may have before putting down a
sizeable investment on a new set
4K vs 1080p Full HD —
Which One Should You Get?
This is the big
question right now, especially since players like Micromax & VU are
bringing the price down. Micromax's latest 49-inch 4K LED TV with Android built
in is priced at Rs 49,990. If you want to be future-proof and believe in
keeping a TV for as long as it lasts, then 4K is the way to go.
India is amongst a
handful of countries where 4K broadcast is already available (although content
is limited, more will come soon). YouTube has a lot of 4K content online too
and you can enjoy it on the TV with TV connected media players. If you don't have
any plans to upgrade to 4K for the next two to three years, you can go with a
full HD set.
The 3D Debate — Is
Content Available?
If you really plan on
watching 3D, you need a way to get 'real' content. Any 3D TV can up-convert to
3D, but it's not as convincing. YouTube and others have 3D content, newer
gaming consoles support 3D (games and 3D Blu-Ray movies) and you could playback
3D video files from a media player or computer. Real 3D games and movies are
limited but available. It's a nice feature to have if you're a 3D enthusiast.
Check the difference
between active and passive 3D technologies in TVs. Active 3D uses battery
powered 3D glasses which need to be synced with the TV to work. They are
expensive to buy (Rs 5,000 to 9,000 each) and typically one or two pairs are
provided. Passive 3D (like LG's Cinema 3D) uses simple polarized glasses -
these are easier on the eyes and cheaper to buy and replace (though admittedly,
they cause a loss in overall resolution).
Upgradeable TVs -
Sales Gimmick or Useful Extra?
Currently, only Samsung and Vu offer an option of upgrading your existing
TV to get new features and add functionality. Samsung offers an Evolution Kit
that is compatible with select TV models. This Evolution kit connects to your
old TV and offers the updated interface and functionality as the newer
generation TV.
As the evolution kit costs around Rs 17,000, it is better to go for the
model with support for upgrades when it comes to Samsung In comparison; Vu
television offers to upgrade the internal hardware of your TV to add PC
functionality. Vu Engineers will come to your house; install the computer components
inside your TV. You can choose Windows 7, Windows 8 or Mac OS X as the
operating system for your TV. However, the price of the upgrade could vary
between Rs 30,000 - 70,000. In the same price, you can now get a good laptop
for your computer requirements.
Improving TV Audio -
Do You Need This?
TVs are getting slimmer and the downside of that is the speakers have
become smaller and weaker. Typically, a flat panel TV has only two speakers
(stereo) with a rated output of 5 to 10 Watts RMS each. This may be fine for
really small rooms but if you want to improve the overall experience with all
sorts of content, you need to improve the sound. For a simple solution, you can
get a soundbar (from Philips, LG or Bose). For proper multi-channel sound, you
can get a powered 5.1 speaker system (integrated amplifier) from Logitech,
Creative or JBL or you could go all the way with an amplifier and speakers. The
soundbar will connect directly to the TV (using headphone or RCA stereo out)
while the multi speaker system should ideally connect directly to the source.
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