TVs and accessories
Televisions differ mainly in screen size, resolution and panel type, from standard LED through QLED to OLED, and most now also offer apps for streaming services. TVs and accessories go closely together, because a new set often lacks a suitable bracket, a longer HDMI cable or an aerial. Accessories include wall brackets and stands, remote controls, HDMI cables, indoor aerials, set-top boxes and soundbars, which make up for weaker built-in speakers.
TVs and accessories
TV size is given in inches, with one inch equal to 2.54 cm. The screen size should suit your viewing distance: for 4K TVs, a distance of roughly 1 to 1.5 times the diagonal is usually recommended, and slightly more for Full HD. For a kitchen or bedroom, 32 to 43 inches is enough, while 55 to 65 inches is the usual choice for a living room. Before buying, measure the TV unit too, as the feet are often placed near the edges of the set.
4K resolution (3840 × 2160 pixels) is standard from around 43 inches, while Full HD remains mainly on smaller sizes. For the panel type, contrast and brightness are what matter. OLED panels light each pixel individually, giving perfect blacks and wide viewing angles, but usually lower brightness and a higher price. LED and QLED TVs with a backlight are brighter and suit sunny rooms better. For sport and gaming, a refresh rate of 100 or 120 Hz is an advantage.
Most televisions today are smart TVs with their own system and apps for streaming services. Reception depends on the tuner: DVB-T or DVB-T2 for terrestrial, DVB-S2 for satellite and DVB-C for cable TV. An older TV without the right tuner can receive broadcasts through an external set-top box. Close to the transmitter an indoor aerial is enough; at the edge of the coverage area an outdoor aerial is more reliable.
For wall mounting, follow the VESA standard, which gives the spacing of the holes on the back of the TV, for example 200 × 200 or 400 × 400 mm. The bracket must support that spacing and carry the weight of the set. Fixed brackets hold the TV close to the wall, tilting ones let you angle it and extending arms let you swivel it towards the sofa. For 4K at 120 Hz from a games console you need an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable, and a soundbar is easiest to connect via HDMI with ARC or eARC.
TVs and accessories need no complicated care. Clean the screen with a dry microfibre cloth without pressing on the panel. Cleaners containing alcohol or ammonia can damage the coating. Remove stubborn marks with a cloth lightly dampened with water, and never spray anything directly onto the screen.