FAQ’s
With so many features to think about when it comes to buying a TV, we’ve made life a little easier by rounding up the most commonly asked questions and providing you with the answers. From the secrets of smart TVs to what are the best accessories, our FAQs are designed to provide you with helpful insight and handy tips.
What Is A Smart TV?
Welcome to the world of streaming! Connect up your new TV and home WiFi to access a vast selection of content via a choice of streaming sites, including BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Amazon Prime, NOW TV, BT Sport, BritBox, Disney+, Apple TV, YouTube and many more. You’ll never be short of something to watch again! Different TV brands use different operating systems, so it’s a good idea to check your favourite apps work with the TV you have in mind. Some TVs also come with a built-in voice assistants such Bixby, Alexa or Google Assistant, so you can search for and play content simply by talking to the remote control! If you’ve already got a smart home with plenty of interconnected devices, then why not find a TV you can sync up too?
Do All TVs Come With A Built-in Tuner?
If you choose a TV with Freeview Play you’ll have access to over 60,000 hours of TV and over 1,500 boxsets across BBC iPlayer, ITV X, Channel4, My5, UKTV Play and more all for free. You can also scroll back through the guide to easily catch up on up to 7 days of programs you may have missed via on-demand services. Just make sure your TV or recorder is connected to the internet and you’re good to go. If you live in an area where Freeview reception is poor, Freesat is an alternative that delivers its TV channels via a satellite broadcast rather than down your aerial.
What is HDR?
High Dynamic Range (HDR) gives you a much wider range of brightness and colour than standard picture technology by boosting the contrast between the brightest whites and darkest blacks. As a result, colours have greater depth and richness, making what you’re watching feel more lifelike and immersive.
Don’t be alarmed that HDR comes in more than one format. HDR10 is the basic standard, HLG (Hybrid-Log Gamma) is sometimes found on TV shows and the most common is Dolby Vision, which adjusts the HDR effect on a frame-by-frame basis, which results in more accurate and lifelike colours. Dolby Vision is usually found on Blu-ray films too. So try to ensure that your choice of TV supports the format used in your favourite content – and most TVs support more than one of them.
Should I wall mount my TV?
Your new TV may come with a stand but does mounting it on a wall suit the space in your home better? If you want to create the perfect viewing angle then consider extending, tilting and swivelling wall mounts - or perhaps you want a super-slim TV that sits incredibly snug to the wall for a clean, streamlined look. With a little preparation, most flat-screen TVs can be hung on either brick or stud frame walls. VESA standards (the distance between the horizontal holes and vertical holes on the back) are the key to finding the perfect wall bracket to match your TV – match them up and you’re ready to go.
How do I install a wall mount for my TV?
Wall mounting a TV may seem like a daunting task, but with the right tools and knowledge, it’s a process that many people can do themselves. Here are some general steps to follow:
Choose the right location: Decide on the location of the TV, taking into consideration viewing angles, sunlight, and accessibility to electrical outlets and inputs.
Choose the right wall mount: Make sure the wall mount you choose is compatible with your TV’s size and weight and has the necessary VESA pattern to attach to the TV. Wall mounts come in various types, such as fixed, tilting, and full-motion.
Assemble the wall mount: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully to assemble the wall mount, ensuring all the pieces are in their correct positions and tightened securely.
Check your walls: Most homes have a combination of brick walls and stud walls. Both types can support a TV, but you need to be more careful with a stud wall, with a stud finder required to help you identify the location of the studs in the wall as these will be what you’ll attach the wall mount to.
Mark the holes: Place the wall mount on the wall and use a pencil to mark the locations of the screw holes. Double-check that the mount is level.
Install the mount: Use the appropriate screws to attach the mount to either a brick wall or the wall studs. For the latter, it’s important to drill pilot holes first to prevent splitting the wood studs. Make sure the mount is level and attached securely.
Attach the mounting plate to the TV: Depending on your TV and mount, this process may differ. If necessary, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for attaching the mounting plate to the TV.
Mount the TV: Attach the TV to the wall mount. Depending on the type of wall mount and the heaviness of the TV, you will probably need someone to assist you with this step!
Once the TV is mounted on the wall, double-check that it’s level and securely attached to the wall mount. Then sit back and enjoy your newly wall-mounted TV from every angle.
Do I Need Sound Enhancement for my TV?
All TVs come with their own built-in speakers but you can add an extra audio dimension to your entertainment with a soundbar or speaker system. Perhaps you want a basic soundbar to help you hear the dialogue a bit more clearly or stop the advert breaks from blaring after the kids have gone to bed. Or why not invest in something a bit fancier if you’re a film fan who wants the full cinematic experience with sound effects that come at you from all directions? Some higher-end TV brands offer audio features such as clear voice tech, object tracking sound and adaptive sound that offer what you need without extra accessories if you want to keep things clean and simple.
How Do Smart TVs Work?
Smart TVs come with built-in Wi-Fi connectivity and require connecting to your broadband, either wirelessly (using your WiFi password) or via an ethernet cable. Once linked up, you can access a variety of streaming services, including free options such as ITV X or subscription-based services such as Netflix and Disney+. The result is a huge choice of content that ensures you’ll never be stuck for something to watch again.
What Sizes Do TVs Come In?
There’s a huge range of UK TV sizes to suit all your needs, ranging from a compact 24-inch TVs for your kitchen or bedroom to deluxe 85-inch TVs for larger lounges or a cinema room. If you want to go even bigger, then a Projector TV is the perfect option! Find a blank wall and project epic images that can entertain a crowd.
How Long Do TVs Last?
The average lifespan of the LEDs in TV screen at close-to-maximum brightness is 40,000 - 60,000 hours, or roughly 4.5 - 6.8 years – if your TV was on 24 hours a day! If you watch a more sensible 6 – 8 hours a day, then your TV could last around 13 years, provided none of the other components fail beforehand.
What To Do With An Old TV?
If it’s broken, then take your set to the tip for recycling.
If your TV still works, perhaps you could sell it at a car boot sale or via a local buy and sell page.
Give it away for free to a local charity that accepts electrical goods.
What Are The Best Picture Quality TVs?
Of course, it all comes down to personal preference but there’s no doubting that 4K Ultra HD and HDR picture technology make everything look better. Picture technology such as QLED and OLED bring rich colours and deep contrast to the party, while a high frame rate will keep everything super-smooth and blur-free regardless of how hectic the action gets.
