TV Buying Guide
TV Buying Guide
Your Ultimate Guide to Buying Your Next TV
Buying a new TV online can be an overwhelming experience for those not familiar with technical aspects and features. Kogan.com is an industry leader in TV expertise and knowledge — we started out selling TVs and it's still what we know best.
Our experts put together this TV buying guide to help you make an informed decision and buy the right TV for your home.
What TV should I buy?
Sizes
Before you buy a TV online, it's important to know how TV size is measured and which size is best for your home.
How are TVs measured?
TVs are usually measured in inches. For example, you will see this type of TV listing on Kogan.com: Kogan QLED 50” 4K UHD HDR Smart TV Android TV™.
The measurement indicates the distance from one corner of the TV to the opposite corner. 50” means that the TV measures 127cm from corner to corner.
What TV size is best for you?
When it comes to buying TVs, bigger is not always better. The most important consideration is the size of the room where you put the TV.
When you watch TV, you should be seated 1.2 times the size of the TV away from the screen. For example, if you buy a 50” TV, then you should be seated approximately 1.5m away when watching.
Recommended viewing distances:
50" screen: 1.5m
55" screen: 1.7m
65" screen: 2m
75" screen: 2.3m
Save space and increase viewing distance by mounting your new TV on a wall or ceiling mount.
Panel Types - LED, QLED, OLED, Mini-LED
These specifications refer to the light source built into the TV that delivers picture, contrast and colour quality.
LED TV: An acronym that means light-emitting diode, LED technology has been around for years. While it is an older technology, it still has some advantages over more modern alternatives. The biggest feature of an LED TV is its brightness, and although it doesn't deliver the same picture quality as OLED and QLED, LED TVs are often more affordable. Shop LED TVs.
QLED TV: The Q in QLED stands for quantum dot. This is a technology that makes use of nanoparticles to emit light in multiple directions and deliver clearer and more immersive picture quality. The best QLED TVs operate similarly to LED TVs but make use of the quantum dots to enrich colours, provide greater contrast and brighten every frame. Shop QLED TVs.
OLED TV: OLED stands for organic light-emitting diode. This is one of the newest TV technologies available and provides the best picture quality with deeper colours and more intense contrast. OLED TVs also deliver better picture consistency and viewing angles. Shop OLED TVs.
Mini-LED TV: Mini-LED is a recent innovation in TV backlight technology that lights up your TV more efficiently and effectively. The smaller size of the LED lights allows room for more lights to be used in the panel, resulting in a picture with brighter colours and deeper darks. TVs with a mini-LED panel have a backlight with more precise control and better targeting, which creates a clearer picture and produces stronger contrasts. Shop mini-LED TVs
TV Resolutions
A TV's resolution refers to the number of pixels on the screen and how densely they're distributed. In general, a higher resolution delivers a sharper and more vibrant picture. Kogan.com TVs come in the following resolutions:
4K UHD: A 4K TV has a resolution of 3840 x 2160. The higher resolution and pixel count of 4K TVs create better definition, a clearer picture and sharper colours for a more immersive viewing experience.
Your new 4K TV is best suited for playing native 4K content from streaming services like Netflix, Stan, Disney+ or Amazon Prime Video, and gaming on the newest generation of gaming consoles from PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo.
Full HD: Full HD TVs feature a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. While this is lower than 4K UHD, FHD TVs are still capable of delivering your favourite movies, shows and games with great quality and clarity.
Often less expensive than 4K TVs, a Full HD TV is a great option if you're looking for either a budget TV or a secondary TV for the kids.
HDR: On HDR TVs, dark colours are richer and deeper, while lighter colours are brighter and more vibrant, providing a crisper picture quality and more intense contrast.
Should I buy a Smart TV?
What does a Smart TV do?
Smart TVs connect directly to the internet in the same way you access streaming services, social media or a web browser from your smartphone or tablet.
This means that you can access Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Spotify and thousands more streaming apps via the app stores without connecting to an external device.
Cast to a Smart TV
Casting on Smart TVs allows you to stream on your Android or Windows device and then mirror the content directly onto your Smart TV.
Check out Kogan.com's range of Smart TVs for more
What is Roku TV?
A top-selling smart TV platform in the United States, Roku TV features a customisable home screen that prioritises giving you fast access to your favourite streaming services, shows and movies.
With hundreds of popular free channels and thousands of the world’s most-watched apps available, including YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and more, a Roku Smart TV makes it easy to enjoy the shows and movies you love.
Roku TV automatically updates its software as it becomes available so you always have immediate access to the most up-to-date apps and Roku operating system technology.
More Roku TV features include:
Easy access to your favourite streaming channels
Compatible with Google Home, Amazon Alexa and Apple AirPlay
Voice search to jump straight into shows and movies you love
The ability to use the free Roku app on your phone as a Roku TV remote
Streaming, inputs, and free live TV in one place
Supports Freeview so you can watch, search and discover Australia’s most popular free-to-air channels, including ABC, SBS, 7, 9 and 10
What is Google TV?
With a new interface that delivers personalised suggestions to your TV home screen, Google TV makes it easy to jump straight into a show or movie. Similar to an Android TV, but with a broader selection of apps and features, Google TV allows you to:
Use your Android phone as a remote control for searches, controlling apps and more
Control your Google Smart Home from your TV
View feeds from video doorbells and security cameras
Control smart lights
Jump on a Google Duo call from your TV
Use Google by saying, “Okay, Google.”
If you have a Google Assistant home network or plan on setting one up in the future, then buying a Google or Android TV™ may be ideal for your home.
What is Tizen OS?
With a simple and highly responsive interface, Tizen OS provides easy access to your favourite streaming apps, convenient hands-free voice commands and seamless smart home control.
Tizen OS features include:
User-Friendly Interface - Easily find and navigate your favourite streaming apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Stan with minimal effort.
Quick Access Button - Instantly access your favorite apps at the touch of a button.
Built-in Voice Assistant - Enjoy hands-free control of your TV and connected devices with voice commands.
SmartThings Integration - Control smart home devices like lights and air conditioning directly from your TV.
Multiple Connectivity Options - Easily connect external devices for a more versatile setup.
What is webOS?
webOS makes your TV experience smarter, easier and more intuitive. It offers a clean and simple layout that puts all your favorite streaming apps at your fingertips, and AI technology that can create recommendations for you based on your unique preferences.
webOS features include:
Intuitive Interface - Easily find and navigate your favorite streaming apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Disney+ with a user-friendly design.
AI-Powered Voice Control - Use voice commands to search, control, and navigate your TV with ease.
Magic Remote - Effortlessly control your TV and even point, click, and scroll with this advanced remote.
ThinQ AI Integration - Manage your smart home devices, like lights and thermostats, right from your TV screen.
Multiple Connectivity Options - Enjoy smooth compatibility with a wide range of external devices.
What are Dolby Vision™, Dolby Audio™, and Dolby Atmos™?
What is Dolby Vision™?
Dolby Vision™ is an advanced form of HDR that produces enhanced colour and better contrast between dark and bright colours.
It uses a technology called dynamic metadata to improve image quality, colour depth and brightness.
If you buy a 4K TV with Dolby Vision™, you will see more detail in dark and bright scenes compared to other TVs and achieve a more seamless viewing experience.
What is Dolby Audio™?
Built into select TVs, Dolby Audio™ delivers advanced audio features:
Optimised for crystal clear audio
Automatic volume control as you switch between content
7.1 channels of surround sound — including visual audio through headphones
Enhanced audio on devices with smaller speakers
What does Dolby Atmos™ do?
Dolby Atmos™ is an advanced surround sound technology that expands on previous surround sound set-ups by creating a more enveloping and immersive soundscape.
Audio engineers use Dolby Atmos™ to place sound precisely in space and create a more convincing 3-dimensional soundstage and deliver a more immersive viewing experience that takes advantage of these features.
However, to make the most of your Dolby Atmos™ TV you will need the addition of a Dolby Atmos™ soundbar or home theatre system.
What is built-in Google Chromecast?
Google Chromecast lets you wirelessly connect your smartphone, tablet, laptop or computer to your TV and stream shows, movies and music via Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Spotify and other streaming services.
A TV with a built-in Google Chromecast removes the need for you to buy a separate Chromecast device to connect your devices to your TV.
Benefits of buying a TV with built-in Google Chromecast:
Wireless connectivity
Connects to your smartphone
Already personalised to your accounts
Keep browsing the internet while watching
No new logins needed
What do the different TV specifications mean?
When you buy a new TV, there will be a list of specifications that give you an in-depth idea of the technical features of the specific model of that TV.
Here is a list of common technical terms that you might find on TV listings:
Refresh rate: Refresh rate refers to the number of frames per second displayed on the screen or the speed at which the TV can refresh the picture. If a TV has a higher refresh rate, then it has a smoother picture quality.
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR): The Variable Refresh Rate feature allows the TV to match its refresh rate with the frame rate of the video’s source. This can include game content, TV shows, movies and more. Turning on VRR is particularly effective when gaming on the latest consoles from PlayStation or Xbox. It helps eliminate image tearing and produces a smoother gameplay experience.
Response time: Response time measures how fast in milliseconds pixels on the screen change from one colour to another. Faster response times allow for more immersive action.
Contrast ratio: A TV's contrast ratio refers to the difference between the luminance of the brightest shades on the display and the darkest shades. A higher contrast ratio make pictures more immersive and colours brighter and more intense.
Brightness: This is the amount of light projected by the TV. Brighter TVs are easier to see on a sunny day or in a bright room. TV brightness is measured in cd/m², which is the unit of luminance.
What are TV inputs and outputs?
TV listings include the type and number of inputs and outputs on each TV. Inputs allow you to connect external devices to your TV, such as gaming consoles and laptops, while outputs deliver video and audio from your TV to an external device, including soundbars and speakers.
Here is a list of common inputs and outputs you will see on TV listings:
HDMI: HDMI stands for High-Definition Multimedia Interface. HDMI is used as both an input and an output connection and is used to deliver video and audio to your TV from gaming consoles and other devices or play sound from your TV through soundbars and home theatre systems.
USB: USB is a common connection you will find on most TVs. Some popular uses of a USB connection include:
Connect external hard drives, USB drives or other storage devices to play videos and movies, view pictures or play music
Connect a keyboard and/or mouse to more easily navigate browsers and search boxes on Smart TVs
Charge phones, tablets and other devices
Connect TV accessories such as ambient lighting
Optical audio: A TV's optical output transmits an audio signal from your TV to an external device such as a soundbar or home theatre system.
3.5mm Stereo audio: This connection is also sometimes referred to as Line In or Line Out depending on whether you're using it as an input or output connection and is usually used to play TV audio through an external speaker system.
Is Energy Rating on a TV important?
A TV's energy rating tells you how much energy the TV uses per year.
Each TV is assigned a star rating. The more stars that a TV has, the more energy-efficient. The fewer stars it has, the more energy it uses.
The star rating lets you compare energy ratings between TVs and decide which TV provides the best value for you.
What is a 12V TV?
Because of their lower voltage, 12V TVs are a popular choice in RVs and mobile homes because their low voltage lets them run off the vehicle's battery.
The lower voltage does have some limitations and most 12V TVs don't have the features that you would expect to see in regular TVs.
Check out our range of 12V TVs here.
Should I buy a TV mount, stand or entertainment unit?
When you buy a new TV, consider the following options when deciding how to display the TV in your living room or bedroom:
TV Mounts: TV mounts come in different shapes and sizes and let you mount your TV on a wall or from the ceiling. Before buying a TV wall or ceiling mount, check your TV's specifications so that you have the correct mount size and whether your TV is mountable.
TV Stands: While they take up more floor space than a wall or ceiling mount, a TV stand offers more stylish support for your TV and can elevate the decor of any lounge or bedroom and is often chosen for its visual appeal.
TV stands don't offer the storage space of entertainment units and they often also have a maximum weight capacity so make sure that you check the specifications of the stand against the size and weight of your TV.
Entertainment Units: Entertainment units are not only a place to display your TV, but often the centrepiece of your living room decor. Usually featuring cupboards and sets of drawers, TV entertainment units not only secure your TV, but are a place for storing entertainment essentials and accessories.
Find the perfect entertainment unit for your lounge here.
What audio is best for TV?
Every TV has built-in speakers but these do not always offer the most immersive sound quality, so consider finishing your home theatre with one of the following:
Surround Sound Speakers & Subwoofers: Home surround sound systems provide the most immersive and cinematic experience because they offer a wider and more developed soundstage and are best equipped to take advantage of the audio benefits provided by Dolby Atmos™.
Shop Kogan.com's range of home theatre systems and speakers.
Soundbars: A popular audio choice, a soundbar is an all-in-one sound system that often sits in front of the TV and usually connects to it via HDMI. While soundbars don't provide the full audio immersion of a surround sound speaker system, they are often cheaper and take up far less space in your entertainment setup.
Shop Kogan.com's range of soundbars here.
What TV Accessories should I buy?
There is a range of TV accessories that you might consider when you first buy your new TV and as you need replacement parts throughout the TV's lifetime. These include:
The latest and greatest gaming consoles from Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo
Blu-Ray, set-top boxes and other media players
Audio/video transmitters
Google Chromecast for a TV without one built-in
Additional streaming devices like Apple TV, Foxtel box, Fetch TV, and more.
