Hello, let’s take a dip into the world of TVs. Now, this might be a long one, but trust me, it’s going to be worth it if you’ve ever looked at a TV spec sheet and wondered if you needed a PhD to figure it out. In this article, we’re going to be discussing how to understand TV specs. Let’s get started.
If you’re here, then you’re already asking the right question: how do I understand TV specs?
It’s important to note that TVs have become way more complicated than just “big screen good, small screen bad,” and tonight, we’ll be breaking everything down into very simple terms.
What’s a TV?
Now, I don’t think I need to define what a TV is. It’s simply a large display that we use to watch all our favorite content. If you’re looking for a history lesson, I’ll kindly refer you to Wikipedia or a YouTube documentary — they do a fantastic job.
But me? I grew up with a Black and White National TV. That’s the TV where I watched Atlanta ’96 and France ’98. I still remember Oliseh’s rocket against Spain — the goal that shook the whole neighborhood! Those were good times. Eventually, we upgraded to a 14″ color Panasonic, then a monster 42″ Plasma in 2006. Fast forward to today, and I’m chilling with a 55″ QLED in my living room.
In just 30 years, we’ve moved from black-and-white CRTs to massive OLED displays. Honestly, very few generations have seen such rapid technological growth.
Now, buying a TV today is no longer easy. Once upon a time, size was everything — the bigger your TV, the better it was. Now? Size is just the beginning. If you truly want to know how to understand TV specs, then you’ll have to pay attention to a lot more than just inches.
You may also be interested in:
How To Understand TV Specs
Here’s a quick breakdown of what you need to know:
Size
This one is straightforward. Size refers to the diagonal measurement of the screen, corner to corner. Common sizes are 32″, 43″, 50″, 55″, 65″, 75″, 85″, and 100″ (yes, over 100″ now, thanks to companies like TCL and Hisense).
Pro tip: Buy a size that fits your living room. Bigger isn’t always better if you’re sitting just 5 feet away!
Resolution
Resolution means sharpness. It tells you how many pixels the screen can display:
- 720p (HD)
- 1080p (Full HD)
- 2160p (4K)
- 4320p (8K)
Higher resolution = sharper picture. But remember: if your content is low-quality, it’ll look even worse on higher-res TVs. Your 360p downloads will NOT magically look better on a 4K TV. Just saying.
Panel Type
Three major types:
- IPS: Great viewing angles, poor contrast.
- VA: Great contrast, weaker side viewing angles.
- TN: Fast response times (mostly for gaming monitors).
Choose wisely, depending on your needs.
Display Type
Here’s where it gets tricky. In reality, there are only TWO display types today:
- LCD-LED (including QLED, Mini LED, Micro LED)
- OLED (wOLED, QD-OLED)
Everything else is just marketing noise.
Refresh Rate
Measured in Hertz (Hz). It’s how quickly your TV refreshes images.
- 60Hz (standard)
- 120Hz (smoother)
- 144Hz (for hardcore users)
More Hz = smoother motion, better for sports and gaming.
HDR
High Dynamic Range helps the TV show more detail in bright and dark areas. HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision — all good stuff. Modern TVs usually come packed with some form of HDR tech.
Brightness
Simple. Brighter TVs = better in sunny rooms. Brightness is measured in “nits.”
More nits, more happiness.
Software
Once upon a time, it would have been unthinkable to imagine that TVs would have software that would need to be updated from time to time. But that’s the world we now live in. Modern TVs are basically smartphones with bigger screens.
Different platforms include:
- Google TV
- Android TV
- Tizen OS (Samsung)
- Web OS (LG)
- Roku TV
- Fire TV
- VIDAA
Pick one that has the apps you love.
Processor
If there’s software, there must be a processor running it. Most TV processors come from companies like MediaTek, Unisoc, and Sigma Designs — but TV brands usually rename them for marketing.
Better processor = smoother UI and faster app loading.
Connectivity
Ports and wireless techs that help you connect:
- HDMI (must-have)
- USB
- Bluetooth
- WiFi
- Ethernet
- Optical out
- AV ports
- Audio jack
Check for enough HDMI ports at least. You’ll thank me later.
Audio
TV speakers are generally okay but not mind-blowing. If you want cinema-like sound, get a soundbar or home theater system. Simple.
Body
Some people love paper-thin TVs. Others want a solid, traditional look. We also have bezel-less designs now. Your choice.
—-
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is your crash course on how to understand TV specs. I really hope this has helped simplify all those confusing numbers, tech jargon, and marketing buzzwords that manufacturers like to throw around.
In my next write-up, we’ll connect all this theory to real-world TVs in the Nigerian market. We’ll look at which specs matter the most when you’re shopping on a budget and which ones are just fluff.
Please leave a comment if you found this helpful and remember to:
- Subscribe to our YouTube channel
- Follow on Facebook
- Follow on WhatsApp
- Join our Telegram community
- Participate on Reddit
- Find us on Quora