18 Basic Terms to Know When Buying a New TV

Finding the perfect TV has become a bit of a challenge. Part of the problem is the jargon. For example, what do 4K UHD and 8K UHD really mean? What about OLED or QLED ? What exactly are HDR and Quantum Dot? It’s enough to drive you crazy.

To help you navigate these new terms, we’ve put together a list of the basics you should know before spending your hard-earned cash. Whether you’re looking for the best gaming monitor for your kid’s room or upgrading your battle station, this quick crash course will help you navigate your new TV shopping journey.

Table of Contents

• The most important concepts related to video
• The most important concepts related to sound
• Top tips for choosing a new TV
  • 1. Choose OLED or QLED instead of LED
  • 2. Choose 4K instead of 8K
  • 3. 120Hz refresh rate is ideal
  • 4. HDR can be worth it
  • 5. ALLM and VRR: Additional Features for Gamers
  • 6. HDMI ARC and eARC: For Soundbars and Audio Receivers

The most important concepts related to video

1. 4K/8K UHD : These designations refer to the number of pixels distributed across the horizontal axis of the display. For example, 4K has nearly 4,000 pixels.
2. Auto Low-Latency Mode (ALLM) : Allows automatic adjustment of the delay between the image and its source. This reduces the time between the image being sent to the TV and the TV displaying it. This is mainly useful when playing games where slower reaction times can negatively affect the results.
3. Aspect Ratio : Indicates the ratio of screen width to screen height respectively. 16:9 is the dominant ratio, while 4:3 was popular before widescreen TVs.
4. Bezel : The physical border around the edge of the screen. Bezels can reduce the overall viewing area of ​​a TV screen. However, on TVs like Samsung's The Frame, they provide a unique, attractive aesthetic.
5. Dolby Vision : Widely accepted HDR standard, providing the best picture quality for HDR content.
6. HDR10 : High Dynamic Range specification is the basic standard on all HDR-enabled TVs. HDR technology is designed to improve the contrast, color rendition, and highlights of TV images.
7. HDR10+ : Samsung's own high dynamic range standard that is growing in popularity. Provides a quality boost over HDR10.
8. LED : Abbreviation for Light-Emitting Diode. TV manufacturers use LEDs to provide the light needed to reproduce images on the screen.
9. OLED : Organic Light-Emitting Diode. OLED displays allow for the ability to adjust the brightness of each pixel on the display. Because of the ability to turn off pixels, OLED displays are considered to produce the darkest blacks.
10. QLED : Quantum Light Emitting Diode. QLED represents an LED display that uses Quantum Dots. These panels produce remarkably accurate color representation.
11. Quantum Dot Layer : A layer of semiconductor nanocrystals, called quantum dots, produces extremely accurate colors. This layer acts as a filter to enhance hue and saturation.
12. Refresh rate : The rate at which the TV screen updates, or refreshes, its image. Most popular TV models support 60Hz, although the 120Hz standard is becoming more common. 240Hz refresh rates are also available, although these are more commonly seen on gaming monitors.
13. Resolution : Indicates the number of pixels displayed on both the horizontal and vertical axes of the screen.
14. Screen Size : The diagonal measurement of the TV screen in inches. You’ll want to choose between 55 and 75 inches here. That’s the ideal size for most rooms. Larger rooms will generally benefit from a larger screen.

The most important concepts related to sound

1. Dolby Atmos : A new audio technology that delivers vertical sound to supported systems.
2. eARC - Enhanced ARC . Allows the TV to output higher quality audio than a standard ARC connection. This audio is delivered uncompressed and generally has better overall sound.
3. HDMI ARC : ARC stands for Audio Return Channel and represents two-way communication between the TV and audio devices like a soundbar . Instead of using RCA or optical audio connections, ARC reduces the number of cables needed to output audio through an external source to one.
4. Soundbar : A soundbar is an external speaker that connects to a TV to enhance or replace the TV's internal speakers. Soundbars are known for their unique shape and usually fit the standard width of a TV.

Top tips for choosing a new TV

Now that you know about the most essential terms and such, let's take a look at some top tips for choosing a new TV.

1. Choose OLED or QLED instead of LED

LED, OLED, and QLED sound very similar, and they all use liquid crystal displays (LCDs) with LED backlights. However, what differentiates these panels is how the individual pixels in the panel react to light and produce color. But both OLED and QLED panels are superior to LEDs when it comes to picture quality.

Quantrimang.com has discussed the differences between OLED and QLED in depth , but if top-notch color rendition is important, then going with a QLED TV is probably best. If deep black levels and wide viewing angles are important to you, then OLED is a great choice.

2. Choose 4K instead of 8K

It’s easy to understand why some people want 8K over 4K, since 8K has four times as many pixels. But high-quality images aren’t just about pixel density. You also need to consider screen size and viewing distance.

8K is overkill, and the article recommends going with 4K instead . It will save you some money. And, unless you sit very close to your TV or buy a huge screen, you won't be missing out on much.

3. 120Hz refresh rate is ideal

Most TV shows and movies are shot at 24 frames per second (24hz). This means that a 60hz refresh rate is sufficient for normal viewing. In fact, trying to watch shows at 60Hz can result in what is known as Motion Interpolation or the “Soap Opera Effect”. However, a 120Hz refresh rate can better support live TV, some sports, and modern games. We recommend using 120Hz as this is the sweet spot for the most fluidity.

4. HDR can be worth it

Most top TV brands offer HDR technology, and the picture quality is worth the cost, especially if you’re using your new TV as a gaming monitor for your PS5 or Xbox. However, to watch HDR content, you’ll need to make sure that whatever you’re watching supports HDR. External devices like Blu-ray players will also need to output the format for the content to display properly.

It’s important to note that HDR isn’t always a good option. On cheaper TV models, HDR can actually make the picture look weird. That’s why you should evaluate the picture quality of an HDR TV in person before making a purchase decision.

5. ALLM and VRR: Additional Features for Gamers

If you’re a serious gamer, features like Auto Low-Latency Mode (ALLM) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) will be more important to you than to others. Both of these features allow you to get the fast response times needed to compete in online games like Call of Duty or Valorant. If you consider yourself a gamer, be sure to check out our picks for the best gaming TVs .

6. HDMI ARC and eARC: For Soundbars and Audio Receivers

TVs have recently adopted two new features: HDMI ARC (audio return channel) and eARC (enhanced audio return channel). These features allow you to use HDMI to output audio through an audio receiver. If you’re considering a soundbar or surround sound system, HDMI ARC or eARC are features worth considering.

Overall, buying a new TV shouldn’t be a daunting or stressful process, but rather an enjoyable one. Keeping these terms and tips in mind before you start shopping will help you feel confident that you’re getting the best TV possible.