One of life’s great questions in the 21st Century is “how will I be viewing my favorite television programs?”
This is important, because we cannot be expected to spend our all-important downtime watching quality entertainment on a substandard viewing device. That would be uncivilized in this day and age.
Televisions are becoming an increasingly important part of our lives, so finding the right one is an important decision. Fortunately, as consumers in a tech-heavy market, personal viewing choices are widespread and abundant. But identifying the best investment can be a tall order, so to make the process a bit easier, we will look at three standouts (covering several price points). This should allow for an educated decision when you decide to pull the trigger and upgrade your television aesthetics. We will also take some time to look ahead, and see what the future holds for your living room.
Let’s start with the best bargain for your buck, the Samsung UE32F6800. In the LED space, there is nothing prettier than a Samsung screen. The vibrant colors grab and never let go, providing a feast for your eyes. This particular TV is an all-around beast with a price tag of less than $800. It’s mid-sized, delivers full HD and has active 3D playback. It also makes use of Samsung’s groundbreaking Smart TV engine and multimedia support. Behind the panel lies 400 Clear Motion Rate processing, which helps produce unparalleled black level response and excellent color handling for both TV and movies.
Next up is the LG 60LN6150, a 59-inch, 120hz LED TV that was voted “The Most Efficient Television of 2013” by Energy Star. At a time when very few of us realize the amount of energy we are consuming when “linked into the grid” so it is great to see companies doing their part and making sure their products are environmentally friendly. Peace of mind goes a long way, especially when you add a user-friendly interface, a decent price tag, and some of the best sound of any television in its class.
Finally, we have the Sony Bravia KDL-55W905A. At $3,000, it is certainly pricey, but that cost is made up for with a 55-inch LCD screen that produces a rich, intense picture by enlisting the help of Sony’s Triluminos color system. This widens the color gamut and helps develop the pleasing colors that keep your eyes locked in. Also at play is the Reality Creation system, which serves to boost sharpness and noise filtering, bringing about a crisp and clean look that many TV’s strive for, but come up short.
However, there is one other thing to keep in mind when looking to invest in a new TV. That thing is “4K”. The future of television, 4K doubles the resolution of standard LED and Plasma televisions, offering an unprecedented picture that has to be seen to be believed. Movie studios have been using 4K the past few years, and now companies like Netflix are preparing for the inevitable 4K invasion. Below is a video of Samsung 110 inch 4K TV:
The issue with 4K at the moment is its cost and content. A decent first-generation 4K has a floor price of around $3,000, and the best in breed, go for around $20,000. Also, content is sparse at the moment, making a purchase similar to buying a video game console before any games are available. This will change in a few years, when the economics of scale improve and the technology is more accessible.
You can both be a first-generation 4K adopter, and get the best picture quality at a price that will likely induce sticker shock, or you can take the more practical route and go with an LED or Plasma for the next few years. Either way, by purchasing a quality television, you are making a solid investment that will result in countless hours of entertainment and enjoyment through the best cable TV deals.
