TV Buying Guide
Find the Best New TV
Buying a new TV isn’t as simple as buying yourself a new blender. If you’re going to spend hundreds or even thousands of hours watching it, you’d want to spend a few hours selecting it.
We, at Nebraska Furniture Mart, have created a simple five-step process with easy-to-understand information to help you find the right fit for you.
TV Shopping Checklist
Here are the top five things to keep in mind when buying a new television.
Get free personalized sales help from home with Virtual Shopping Appointments
Choosing TV Screen Size
We would say bigger is always better. But it depends on a few factors. The primary factor is the distance between where your TV is placed to your couch. Measure this distance and compare it with the table given here to decide the ideal TV size for your house.
How far from the couch to place your television
Here is a list of suggested distance to keep between your couch and your tv, based on the tv screen size:
| Viewing Distance (Feet) | Screen Size (Inches) |
|---|---|
| 3-6 | 24 |
| 4-8 | 32 |
| 5-10 | 40-43 |
| 6-12 | 49 |
| 8-13 | 55 |
| 8-15 or more | 65 or larger |
Your budget is also a consideration, but then again, your TV could be your friend for years. Treat it as an investment!
Which Screen Resolution is Best
What should you look for when it comes to screen resolution? The answer is pixels and lines of resolution. The higher the lines of resolution and the total number of pixels, the better the picture quality.
Remember…more pixels equals more clarity.Here's a comparison of how many pixels and lines of resolutions common tv screen options include.
| Resolution | Lines of Resolution | Pixels |
|---|---|---|
| High Definition (HD) | 720p | 921,600 |
| Full HD | 1080p | 2.1 million |
| 4K UHD | 2160p | 8 million |
| 8K UHD | 4320p | 33 million |
Display Technology
Another important decision for you when buying a new TV is to decide between an LED, QLED, and OLED screen. If you already have a high definition TV, then future proof your TV by choosing between 4K, QLED or OLED TVs.
Smart TV
Think smart, get smart! A Smart TV connects to the internet and gives you access to social media and on-demand videos. You can even cast your photos and videos from your phone onto the screen.
With Smart TVs, you have access to many downloadable apps, such as Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, HBOGO, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV, Spotify, Vudu, Plex, and more. Some of these apps are free, whereas some require a subscription.
If you are streaming videos, the speed would be reliant on your internet connection/ router/networking devices.
Smart TVs vs. Smart Boxes and Smart Sticks
Some TVs have an in-built functionality that allows you to stream content from the internet without needing any external device. Example, Roku TV.
Other smart-capable TVs can provide the same functionality only via the use of external devices such as smart boxes and smart sticks – Apple TV box, Roku TV box, Amazon Fire Stick, Chromecast, etc.
Connect your TV to your Phone: Screen Mirroring
As the name suggests, screen mirroring is the process of viewing what’s on your smartphone, tablet or computer, on your TV screen without needing any wires.
This is great for viewing content you will typically store on your mobile device, such as pictures and videos of all your favorite moments. You can also use this feature to view all those documents and professional presentations stored on your desktop, in just a few easy steps.
You will need to download and install screen mirroring software on both the device you want send the content from, as well the TV you will be sending the content to. Most smart TVs come in-built with mirroring capabilities, but for others, you might have to buy an additional gadget to enable mirroring.
Connecting Your TV to Other Devices
The new breed of TVs often needs to connect with other smart devices. To ensure this, you need to check your TV for USB, HDMI, and the regular audio out ports.
- USB: From a wireless mouse to a flash drive, your TV will be ready to connect to a wide variety of USB-based devices.
- HDMI: The HDMI port(s) lets you connect to your set-top or cable, Blu-Ray player, gaming console, firestick or Chromecast, and even your laptops. Additionally, HDMI is becoming the go to cable for soundbar hook up as well.
Sound
Along with great picture quality, you also need great sound to have a meaningful TV viewing experience.
Inbuilt Sound:
More wattage means louder sound. The slimness of newer TV models can potentially mean a lower quality sound because manufacturers do not have enough room to accommodate big speakers. Hence, adding a soundbar or an external speaker system is a great way to amp up the sound, especially for larger spaces.
Popular top-of-the-line TV speakers include Dolby Digital, DTS, and Harman Kardon. We would highly recommend adding a Home Theatre or a Soundbar to enhance your TV viewing experience.
Other TV Shopping Considerations
Besides the major tv features of screen size, resolution, smart features, and sound, there are many other customized tv options and accessories you'll want to keep in mind when shopping for a new tv.
Outdoor TVs
Whether you want to watch your favorite soap opera by your pool under the sun, or have a game night out by the barbecue, we have the perfect outdoor TV for you. Bright display for sunny days and weatherproofed for rainy ones, our outdoor TVs make it possible for you to enjoy the outdoors and watch TV at the same time.
TV Accessories:
Give your TV-viewing a boost by investing in essential accessories. These may include Wall Mounts, TV Stands, HDMI Cables, Antennas and Routers and other options for streaming your favorite movies, music or tv shows.
Protect your TV from power fluctuations. Buying a surge protector is an easy way to protect your TV from power fluctuations. If you have an extensive home theater system, consider an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) system for real peace of mind.
Our TV Installation Services
Nebraska Furniture Mart provides hassle-free TV installation services. We’ll mount your TV to your wall, hide wires and cables when possible, set up your TV, and connect it to your home Wi-Fi network.
DIY TV Installation and Wall Mounting
There are three important considerations when preparing to mount your TV:
- The location and placement of the TV.
- Ensuring it is placed at an appropriate angle just above the eye level.
- The viewing distance (as mentioned before) between the TV and the sofa.
If you already have a TV entertainment unit in your living room, make sure you buy the right size TV for it. If your entertainment unit has a platform for you to rest your TV on it, you can go ahead and use a table mount for your TV. However, if you want to wall mount your TV, you have a few options for how you can do that.
Wall Mounting
Here’s how you can install your TV by mounting it on a wall.
- First, you have to select a TV mount. There are essentially three types:
Stationary mounts: These keep the television in a stationary position against the wall.
Tilting mounts: These mounts enable you to manually tilt the TV up or down once it is mounted.
Full-motion mounts:These types of mounts can move in all directions. You can tilt the screen up and down, or turn it left and right. They work for every viewing angle.
Second, mark the space on the wall. Once you’ve selected an ideal location for the TV, mark (lightly using pencil) the pilot holes of where the TV will be fixed and where the corners of the TV will be. Ensure the markings are even. Depending on the size and weight of your TV, you may need to install additional supports in your studs to hold the weight of the TV and not cause drywall damage.
Third, drill and attach. Drill the holes where you had made the markings and attach the TV mount brackets on the wall.
Fourth, attach the mounting plate to the back of the TV and carefully mount the TV to the wall.
