Things to look for while buying a smart TV

Smart TVs are essentially TVs that let you access digital content with the power of internet.

A smart TV is the ideal amalgamation of the variety of content available on the internet displayed on a huge screen that magnifies your viewing experience.

The decision’s been made. The recliners have been bought. The room’s just been given a new coat of paint and a mini-refrigerator has also been kept close by for easy access to drinks and snacks. In short, the stage is set, and the audience now eagerly waits for the grand entry of the protagonist - The Smart TV!

Smart TVs are essentially TVs that let you access digital content with the power of internet just as you would access in a smartphone or other such devices. Thus, a smart TV is the ideal amalgamation of the variety of content available on the internet displayed on a huge screen that magnifies your viewing experience. Smart TVs are gradually gaining popularity in India and there are still lots of opinions in the market regarding the best smart TVs available. Enlisted here are a few points which need to be carefully considered when bringing the window of family entertainment to your home:-

Digital Content- In today’s market where users are watching digital content on their mobiles and tabs, they expect the same user experience and ease for content discovery & consumption on their TV. Check for an ideal Smart TV that discovers digital content and apps from the digital ecosystem and gives the user total control over the content to be consumed on their terms.

Apps are the priority- Smart TVs come pre-loaded with an operating system-for instance Android. Since Android is the most popular OS and features the highest number of apps, it needs to be checked whether the TV lets you download or play all Android apps. Also, while buying a TV, you should check whether all the devices in your household are compatible with the TV's OS or not.

Side-loading of Android Apps- Side-loading typically refers to installing an application package in APK format on an Android device. These apps are usually downloaded from different websites and not typically from an app store, hence buyers need to check whether their device allows for such downloading. A Smart TV that provides the side-loading option greatly enhances the diversity available in content for the user.

The issue of interface- Most smart TVs have a pretty complicated user interface with a poor user experience which results in the user not being able to completely explore the potential of a Smart TV. Thus, many of its functions go completely unutilized. An ideal Smart TV should let the users easily toggle between Live TV & Digital TV on the same screen and also push digital content directly on the home screen of the TV without the user having to go through changing ports or cumbersome menus. A device with an easy-to-use interface & easy navigation scores a lot of brownie points over the complicated ones.

It’s all about what you see- HD Ready with 1366X768 pixels, Full HD with 1920X1080 pixels or 4K UHD with 3840x2160 pixels, display qualities have gone through marked improvements over the last 2-3 years. While 4K UHD is the best alternative that provides you with stunning picture quality, it all depends on the purpose for which the TV will be most extensively used. There’s a steep difference in the prices as well, so the buyer needs to carefully evaluate his/her needs and demands before zeroing in on a Smart TV.

Wireless connectivity- It is important to evaluate the Wi-Fi system installed in the TV as a lot depends on how quickly your devices and TVs can connect. The capacity to handle multiple devices is also a feature that should be checked right at the point of purchase.

Size of the screen- This important factor should be determined by the distance of the TV from the place of viewing. For 4-6ft of distance, a 32 inch TV is ideal. Similarly, for 5-8 ft, a 43 inch TV and for 6-9 ft, a 55 inch and above TV is the best bet.

The warranty scheme- Since a Smart TV is a huge investment and it involves many parts and technicalities, the warranty period provided should be on a higher side with a comprehensive package that comprises of warranty on all parts including labour.

HDMI and USB- Last but not the least, it is imperative that a buyer checks the number of HDMI & USB ports to connect multiple media devices to the Smart TV.

-by Jagdish Rajpurohit, Founder, CloudWalker Streaming Technologies.