Best Smart TVs: Top Picks for a Home Cinema

In the age of technology, smart TVs have revolutionized the way individuals experience entertainment. These devices offer more than just traditional television viewing; they provide a gateway to a world of online content, including streaming services, social media, and web browsing. As a result, choosing the best smart TV is about finding the perfect blend of picture quality, connectivity, user interface, and additional features within one’s budget.

Consumers are often faced with a plethora of options when selecting a smart TV. It’s crucial to consider the display technology – whether it’s OLED, QLED, or LED – as each offers different advantages in color, contrast, and energy efficiency. Furthermore, smart platforms vary across models, with some offering more apps and better user experiences than others. Anson’s is well-aware of these factors and presents a curated selection of premium smart TVs that cater to diverse preferences and needs.

For those looking to upgrade their home cinema setup, factors such as screen size and resolution are paramount. Today, 4K resolution has become standard, but 8K TVs are also entering the market for those desiring the cutting edge of high-definition. Anson’s offers a range of sizes and resolutions, ensuring that customers can find a smart TV that fits beautifully into their living space and provides an immersive viewing experience.

Key Features to Consider

When shopping for a smart TV on Anson’s, consumers should focus on key technological specifications to ensure they get a model that suits their viewing preferences and needs.

Screen Resolution

Screen resolution is critical as it determines the sharpness and clarity of the image. Consumers can choose from Full HD (1080p), 4K (Ultra HD), and 8K (Ultra HD), with 4K being the most popular for its balance of quality and content availability.

HDR Compatibility

High Dynamic Range (HDR) compatibility greatly enhances picture quality by offering more colors, better contrast, and increased brightness. Common standards include HDR10, Dolby Vision, and HLG, with Dolby Vision being favored for its dynamic metadata that adjusts brightness levels frame by frame.

Refresh Rate

The refresh rate, measured in hertz (Hz), indicates how many times the screen updates the image per second. A higher refresh rate (e.g., 120Hz) provides a smoother image, crucial for fast-action scenes and sports.

Operating System

Smart TV operating systems determine the interface and available apps. Popular platforms include Android TV, webOS, and Tizen, with Android TV offering a wide range of apps due to its Google Play Store access.

Connectivity

A smart TV should have various connectivity options, such as HDMI ports, USB ports, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. A minimum of three HDMI ports and dual-band Wi-Fi are standard for connecting multiple devices and stable streaming respectively.

Popular Smart TV Brands

When considering a new Smart TV, consumers commonly turn to established and trusted brands known for their quality, innovation, and variety of options.

LG

Noteworthy for their pioneering OLED technology, LG Smart TVs deliver exceptional color accuracy and contrast. The 2023 Model- LG OLED evo 83in 4K UHD Smart TV OLED83C3PSA exemplifies this with its sleek design and superior picture quality. LG also offers mid-tier options like the NanoCell and QNED TVs, which include the LG QNED 65in 4K Smart TV, known for their precise color reproduction and wider viewing angles. For those seeking advanced features in a more compact size, the LG 43in 4K UHD Smart TV 43UR8050PSB is equipped with AI ThinQ technology for a smarter viewing experience.

Operating Systems Reviewed

Selecting the right Smart TV operating system is crucial for a seamless viewing experience. Each operating system offers unique features and capabilities that cater to different user needs.

webOS

LG’s webOS stands out with its user-friendly card-based layout. Users appreciate its quick navigation and the ability to connect with multiple devices.

Key Features:

Simplified content discovery with LG Channels
Easy device connection with LG ThinQ AI
Customizable launcher for favorite apps and channels

Low Input Lag

TVs optimal for gaming should possess low input lag, which is the delay between a command input and the display reacting to that command.

High Refresh Rates

Smart TVs with high refresh rates improve motion clarity and provide smoother gameplay, a must-have for fast-paced action.

Setting Up Your Smart TV

After purchasing a brilliant Smart TV from Anson’s, it is essential to set it up correctly. The following information will help the viewer to quickly start enjoying their Smart TV with minimal fuss.

Installation Tips

The user should identify the ideal location for their Smart TV that is close to a power outlet and where Wi-Fi signal strength is strong. If wall-mounting, they must use the proper mounting kit recommended for the size and weight of their TV.

Power: Ensure the outlet is within reach and avoid using extension cords.
Position: Place the TV away from direct sunlight to avoid glare.

Network Configuration

A stable internet connection is crucial for maximizing the Smart TV’s capabilities. The television should be connected to Wi-Fi or an Ethernet cable to access streaming, updates, and other online services.

Wi-Fi: Navigate to the TV’s network settings and select the home network.
Ethernet: Use a LAN cable for a more reliable connection, if possible.

Account Set-Up

The viewer will need to create user accounts on their Smart TV to personalize their experience and access specific content platforms. They should follow the on-screen prompts to create or sign in to accounts on services such as Netflix or YouTube.

Accounts: Input email and password or create a new account as needed.
Syncing: Link any existing accounts for seamless integration.

Parental Controls

For households with children, setting up parental controls is vital. The user can create a child-friendly environment by restricting access to certain content based on ratings and establishing viewing times.

Restrictions: Adjust settings to block content by age ratings.
Timers: Set viewing limits to manage screen time effectively.

Smart TV Accessories

Enhancing the entertainment experience, smart TV accessories are vital for viewers seeking superior audio quality, seamless streaming, and simplified controls. These add-ons complement the functionality of smart TVs.

Sound Bars

Sound Bars are compact audio devices that provide a rich, immersive audio experience compared to standard TV speakers.

Streaming Devices

Streaming Devices extend a TV’s capabilities by providing access to a wide range of streaming services and content libraries.

Future of Smart TVs

As technology evolves, smart TVs are anticipated to become increasingly integrated into the connected home ecosystem. They are likely to offer enhanced interactivity through voice controls and gesture recognition, allowing for a more intuitive user experience. Additionally, the rise of AI-powered algorithms will personalize content recommendations more finely than ever before.

Key Advancements Expected:

Higher Resolution Displays: Beyond 8K resolution, smart TVs will have sharper, more vibrant displays, providing a near lifelike viewing experience.

Rollable and Transparent Screens: These innovative display technologies will allow smart TVs to blend seamlessly with their environment when not in use.

Users will also see a surge in cross-device synchronization, leading to seamless content sharing between smartphones, laptops, and smart TVs. 5G connectivity in smart TVs will boost streaming speeds, reduce latency, and enable real-time interactivity for gaming and virtual reality applications.

Smart Home Integration:

Home Automation Control: Smart TVs will serve as a central hub for controlling smart home devices.
Security System Access: Integration with home security systems for real-time

For individuals interested in the latest smart TV technology, Anson’s offers a selection of cutting-edge models that embody these future trends, providing a balance of high-quality visuals, user-friendly interfaces, and smart home readiness.