In theory, a Dolby Vision set has to meet a stricter set of criteria to display HDR content, and our testing seems to bear this out. There continues to be some HDR confusion. Every HDR-enabled set on the market is currently HDRcompatible, but Dolby Vision is only found on sets that both meet Dolby's technical standards and pay licensing fees for the standard.
Yes, Samsung's naming makes things very confusing. It's still far too soon to know if either of these newer formats will have much impact on the market. There are a few dozen movies in the new 4K Blu-ray disc format, with a growing number of HDR shows available via streaming services, like Amazon Prime and Netflix. Some new 4K Blu-ray players also promise to be upgradable to handle the new HDR discs, but check before you buy.
Bottom Line : Don't choose a set just for its HDR support because the standard has not yet been settled. However, if you want the best, buy an HDR set that is compatible with Dolby Vision, as that format seems to be gaining momentum.
The refresh rate, expressed in Hertz Hz describes how many times per second a picture is refreshed on the screen. The standard refresh rate is 60 times per second, or 60 Hz. So, to create a more solid picture, manufacturers doubled the refresh rate to Hz and in some cases up to Hz. Since there aren't that many per-second images in original video content, TVs handle the faster refresh rates in different ways. One method is to simply insert black images between the original pictures, tricking the viewer's eyes into seeing a less blurry, more solid picture.
Another technique is to generate and insert new images — showing a state of movement in between the two adjacent pictures — to display more realistic-looking motion. However, depending on how the video-processing is done, it can make a movie or sitcom look flat, or as if it were a poorly lit, old-time soap opera. Some new models are boasting High-Frame Rate HFR support, which means that they have both a higher refresh rate and added support for content with higher than 60 Hz frame rates.
With HFR content set to come from both movies and live broadcats, and HFR will be especially good for live sports, so it's definitely a feature to watch out for. Gamers will be especially keen to get higher refresh rates, but if you're using a gaming console, 60 Hz is the sweet spot.
Most gaming consoles top out at 60 frames per second, and even the best 4K gaming TVs offer the best performance well below the Hz we suggest for other content.
A word of caution: beware of terms like "effective refresh rate," which means the actual frame rate is half the stated rate e. Everything else is done with video processing, not a refresh of the screen. It may seem like an afterthought, but pay attention to the number of HDMI inputs a set has.
Manufacturers looking to shave costs may offer fewer HDMI plugs on the back. These ports can get used up quickly: Add a sound bar, a Roku or Chromecast and a game console, and you've used three ports already. The newer HDMI 2. By matching the TV refresh rate to the frame rates of you content source — in this case the graphics card inside your game console or PC — you'll get smoother action and zero screen tearing.
It also adds higher frame rates for 4K video and richer HDR data that will allow adjustments at the scene level for more-precise backlighting control. As of now, we've seen HDMI 2. And HDMI 2.
Still confused about the different ports on your TV? Checkout the best HDM2. Many of these TVs can dynamically light up specific portions of the screen and dim other parts to better represent a mix of light and dark areas in a scene — a feature known as active dimming or local dimming.
One hidden feature separating the budget TVs from the premium models is backlighting. With several different types of LED backlighting used in modern TVs, it pays to knwo the difference between the different options. Check out TV backlights explained: Edge-lit vs. Another LCD technology, called quantum dots, is becoming more common, spurred on by the requirements of HDR to produce a wider array of colors and more brightness.
The result is a wider color spectrum and increased brightness. Pros : Wide array of prices, sizes and features; Some affordable Ultra HD 4K models; Bright screens visible even in a sunny room; Image quality steadily improving with full-array backlighting and quantum-dot technology. Cons : Exhibits imperfections when displaying rapid motion, as in sports; Loses some shadow detail because pixels can't go completely black even with full-array backlighting ; Images fade when viewing from the side off-axis.
In place of a backlight, OLEDs use a layer of organic LEDs, controlled at the pixel level, to achieve absolute black and stunning levels of contrast. Footage of fireworks against a black sky is a favorite demonstration of OLED technology.
The best-in-class display technology is seen exclusively on 4K and 8K sets, and range in size from 55 inches on up to 75 inches or larger. Cons : Premium prices; lower peak brightness than some LCD sets, uncertainty about how screens will fare over time, including whether they will retain "ghost" images also known as burn-in from displaying a static picture for too long.
But the TV industry is always readying new technologies, and new jargon to go with it. While technologies like micro-LED and mini-LED are still new and relatively rare, you can buy TVs with the new tech now, so keep an eye on our coverage to find out about new features as they arrive. An increasing number of sets come with built-in Wi-Fi for connecting Internet-based services like Netflix for streaming videos or to run apps for watching special-interest programs, downloading on-demand movies, playing games or even posting to Facebook.
The latest models can even search for content across streaming services and live programming on cable and satellite. The interfaces are generally getting better. Vizio, LG and now Samsung use a handy bar of icons at the bottom of the screen. While most smart TVs include the major services, such as Pandora, Hulu and Netflix, check to make sure the TV you buy has the options you want.
Our guides to common questions about smart TVs and comparison of smart TV platforms are good places to start. With movies and shows offered by services from Amazon, Hulu, Netflix and YouTube, it's quick and easy to find both 4K resolution and HDR-enabled content — easier than finding Blu-rays with the desired formats. The only concern is whether your internet connection can provide enough bandwidth.
But not all smart TVs are created equal. Many budget-friendly brands will offer smart TV functionality without naming the actual platform that they use.
In these cases, expect to run into limitations. Off-brand smart platforms frequently suffer from severely limited app selection, sub-par performance and gaping security holes.
But nowadays, it's hard to get a TV that isn't smart, even if you're going for a small bargain model. Find out more about the functions and features in our guide to smart TVs and How to buy a dumb TV — and why you'd want to. Bottom line : Smart capability is now a standard feature in TVs, so it's less and less of a factor in your buying decision.
A good gaming TV won't just have a great picture and sound. You also need to consider the connectivity options, gaming features and overall responsiveness of the TV. While we already recommend holding out for more HDMI ports, an extra HDMI port can mean the difference between leaving your console connected and swapping it out for your Blu-ray player every time you want to fire up a round of Call of Duty.
While HDMI 2. And certain features offered by the 2. To get a closer look at our favorite console-ready TVs, check out the best gaming TVs for The contrast ratio describes the range of brightness levels a set can display. Do you need a smart TV? What is HDR, and do you have the right gear to watch it? Check out some of our educational resources below:. New Filmmaker Mode removes guesswork from TV setup. Simple tips for getting the best picture from your new TV.
Are you really watching 4K on your new 4K TV? Check your sources. Everything you need to watch 4K HDR movies. Chris Heinonen is a senior staff writer reporting on TVs, projectors, and sometimes audio gear at Wirecutter. He has been covering AV since for a number of online publications and is an ISF-certified video calibrator.
He used to write computer software and hopes to never do that again, and he also loves to run and test gear for running guides. Our pick. Buy another type of TV if:. We'll keep tracking new deals all season long and update this list periodically. Watch this: 4K TVs: A buying guide. No TV I've ever tested offers this much picture quality for as little cash.
The TCL 6 Series has an excellent image thanks to mini-LED tech and well-implemented full-array local dimming that helps it run circles around just about any other TV at this price. It's also a solid choice for gamers with a THX mode that combines low input lag and high contrast. As if that's not enough, the Roku TV operating system is our hands-down favorite.
This TV first came out in but will stay on sale throughout -- in fact it just got its holiday price cut -- and remains my top choice so far. TCL also sells an 8K version of the 6-Series , but I don't think it's worth the extra money, as well as a Google-powered version I have yet to review although according to TCL its image quality is the same as this Roku version. It also has the best gaming features, making it the perfect companion to an Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5 or both.
The Samsung QN90A is your best bet. Read our Samsung QN90A series review. The three TVs above are amazing, but what if you can't afford that level of picture quality? It's a 60Hz model, not Hz, but it still handles variable refresh rate games for extra smoothness.
Read our Vizio M-7 Series Quantum review. This TCL 4-Series can't beat any of the models above on image quality -- its 4K resolution and HDR performance don't do much to help the picture -- but it's perfectly fine for most people, especially at this price. Sizes: , , , , , inch. The prices shown below are for the inch size. What's that you say? You just want the best TV and can afford whatever you want? Here you go.
The main advantage of the G1 is slimmer, more wall-friendly design compared to the C1, so if you value that style and can afford it, this is the TV to get.
Read the LG G1 series review. We liked Roku's smart TV system better sound familiar?
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