9. COST
Smart TVs are inherently more complex than standard digital TVs which is why there’s a significant segment of users who still prefer the latter, but from a manufacturer’s point of view, producing a TV devoid of smart features is almost always a cost-cutting measure. The ability to access the internet alone isn’t enough for a smart TV to be acceptable in the market. It has to score in all areas: RAM, processor, OS, screen quality, audio quality, refresh rate, remote’s usability, voice controls, and application support. The price is commensurate with the complexity of the technicality involved and hence smart TVs tend to cost more than standard digital TVs.
10. UPGRADES
Standard digital TVs get outdated pretty quickly whereas smart TVs lose value at a much slower pace. The reason? Software. Be it the OS or other applications, software forms the crux of a smart TV. Software updates are rolled out every now and then, so if you’re encountering defects or looking for a better feature, you can always install updates and renew your TV. These updates also include UI changes from time to time and hence, the look and feel of the TV is never the same. Standard digital TVs remain the same throughout their lifetime.
WHEN SHOULD YOU BUY A SMART TV INSTEAD OF A STANDARD DIGITAL TV?
A smart TV offers a plethora of features and has the following advantages over standard digital TVs:
- If you want to be able to browse the internet on your TV, smart TV is the only choice. Smart TVs have in-built browsers and video platforms such as Youtube whereas non-smart TVs don’t.
- Smart TVs are packed with over-the-top content services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Disney+Hotstar.
- Smart TVs have crisper and clearer resolution than standard digital TVs as the latest display technology such as QLED and OLED are predominantly incorporated only in smart TVs.
- If you’re a gamer who likes seeing the swift action on a bigger screen, get a smart TV.
- Smart TVs notify the users of the latest software updates and hence your TV constantly gets revamped.
- If you don’t watch cable or satellite channels much, getting a non-smart TV is pretty much useless, unless all you want out of your TV is for it to act as a monitor.
- Most smart TVs recognize voice commands and act upon them.
- Smart TVs are equipped with modern audio and visual technology, and manufacturers continually work on improving their specifications, whereas there’s little room for innovation in standard digital TV sets.
- If you expect extended support from the manufacturer for a continued period post-purchase, choose smart TVs.
- If brand value matters to you, get a smart TV. Top TV brands like Samsung, Sony, and LG have almost completely transitioned to smart TVs and rarely produce software-less TVs anymore. Although some of their non-smart TVs are still in the market, they are most likely to be discontinued in the near future.
WHEN SHOULD YOU BUY A STANDARD DIGITAL TV INSTEAD OF A SMART TV?
Finding a TV devoid of smart features is a rarity these days but non-smart TVs are no slouch. Standard digital TVs have the following advantages over smart TVs:
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- If you use your TV only to watch cable or satellite channels, a standard digital TV might satisfy all your expectations. You can watch live channels on a smart TV too, but it’s pointless to own a smart TV if you’re never going to connect it to the internet.
- Non-smart TVs are easy to configure and don’t require a hefty installation process. On the other hand, smart TVs are complicated and often necessitates the user to go through an elaborate setup procedure.
- If your budget is low, getting a standard digital TV is a wise decision. Smart TVs typically cost more.
- If you already own supplementary devices such as Amazon Fire TV or an Android box, buying a non-smart TV with an HDMI port would suffice. You can simply connect your devices to the HDMI port and get the smart TV experience.
- With no in-built provision to access the internet, standard digital TVs don’t pose privacy and security threats. If you’re not tech-savvy and don’t have a complete idea of how to protect your devices from cyberattacks, it’s better to stick with non-smart TVs.
- If you don’t have good internet connectivity in your region, purchasing a smart TV with umpteen high-end features isn’t going to improve your experience. You’ll face hangs and lags, which results in sluggishness and your TV would eventually crash, causing you to restart it multiple times.
WHAT IS A DIGITAL TV?
A digital TV is essentially a television set that operates on digital television broadcasting technology in which signals are transmitted as packets of compressed data that comprises a sequence of binary digits (0 and 1). Digital TVs are the successors of analog television sets which work on audio and video signals transmitted over the air like radio signals.
Although digital TVs became accessible to public view in the 1990s, they weren’t deemed standard household sets until the early 2000s. Digital TVs surpass analog TVs by an ocean, but the most talked-about disparity is the quality. Harsh weather could cause interference with the frequencies of analog TV signals to a significant extent as they are transmitted over the air. These fluctuations can meddle with the resulting color, sound quality, and brightness, and render them substandard.
Distance from the transmission source is another cause for concern with analog sets, as the further away the TV is from the source, the weaker the signal is. Digital TVs don’t suffer from transmission-related setbacks as much as analog TVs do, which is why they are ideal in today’s perpetually expanding urban areas. The picture quality is generally far superior in digital TVs, and with analog broadcasting stations going out of existence in the early 2000s, analog TVs have become obsolete, making digital TVs the accepted standard.
WHAT IS A SMART TV?
A smart TV is a television set with integrated Internet and interactive features, which allows users to stream music and videos, view photos, and browse the internet. Besides facilitating the run-of-the-mill operations of standard television sets through traditional broadcasting media, smart TVs also provide access to over-the-top media (OTT) services such as Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and Disney+Hotstar, along with home networking access.
All smart TVs are digital, but not all digital TVs are smart. A smart TV comes with an operating system that’s preloaded in the television set’s firmware, which enables users to access apps and other digital content. However, the provision to access OTT services or the ability to remotely control the television via voice commands isn’t necessarily the hallmark of a smart TV. With the advent of supplementary smart devices such as the Android TV box and Amazon Fire Stick, practically any digital TV can be ‘smart’.
TOP 5 BEST SMART TVS
1. Samsung QN75Q900RBFXZA 75-Inch QLED 8K Q900 Series
MRP: $2,699.99
It’s hard to discuss electronic innovations without the mention of the South Korean juggernaut, Samsung. Although initially founded as a grocery trading store, Samsung’s brand value in the electronics arena is stellar, thanks to its prestigious products that are received well worldwide.
Notwithstanding the possibility of the exorbitant price driving your bank balance to scrap the bottom of the barrel, Samsung QN75Q900RBFXZA is a feature-heavy product and a dream TV for many. While 4K screens are still experimental in laptops, every high-end smart TV that rolls out these days boasts of a 4K display. But Samsung QN75Q900RBFXZA takes it up a notch. It supports 8K Ultra-HD resolution — the highest known display resolution to date — enhancing the depth of detail that sucks you into the picture.
As the electronics adage goes, a feature is only as good as the output screen. With a flat 75-Inch screen and a refresh rate of 240Hz, this product offers a wholesome TV-watching experience. For those of you who are wondering what refresh rate is and how significant it is to the overall functionality, let me put it this way: the more the refresh rate, the better the moving content appears on the screen. Refresh rate is the number of times a display screen refreshes itself every second. 240Hz is by far the highest refresh rate exhibited by TV sets, be it smart or conventional digital TVs. Screw the theatres; you can get the theatre ambiance at home while watching your favorite movies in your pajamas with inexpensive homemade popcorn to snack on.
Either you are cooped up at home and wish to virtually browse the world via Netflix or bored and just want to browse random videos on Youtube, this flagship device offers it all. With in-built support to widely known internet-based streaming applications such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube, you’ll seldom run out of content to watch. Even if you do, you can always hook it up with streaming solutions of your choice by leveraging the availability of 4 HDMI ports.
MRP: $1,796.99
LG has been around in the TV sphere for a long time and one of the key reasons it continues to be a frontrunner is its ability to keep up with the ever-evolving technology. LG OLED65BXPUA is an out-and-out premium smart TV, but its price is reasonable nonetheless.
It’s been quite a long time since TV manufacturers showed the exit door to LCD technology and transitioned to LED technology. Although the transition resulted in TVs using lesser power to provide a brighter display, better contrast, and a thinner panel, the innovation didn’t stop there. LED has seen some advancements over the years, resulting in two industry-standard technologies, namely QLED (Quantum-dot Light-Emitting Diode) and OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode). LG OLED65BXPUA flaunts an OLED display, which is not commonly seen in smart TVs priced below 2000 dollars. Don’t brush aside this trait as a passable good-to-have. In OLED screens, every pixel is capable of emitting its own light in response to an electric current, which effectively improves the level of contrast and color accuracy far better than QLED and regular LED screens can.
LG OLED65BXPUA’s massive 65-inch, 4K screen is slim with a thickness of just 1.8 inches. Despite the Android operating system being widespread among smart devices, LG OLED65BXPUA runs on LG’s proprietary Linux kernel-based multitasking OS, WebOS. WebOS may not be a big name on paper, but it’s certainly adept at handling your binge-watching sprees on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Vudu, and Google TV.
3. Sony X950H 65-inch 2020 model
MRP: $1,598
Sony Bravia created a buzz in the digital TV marketplace and Sony’s smart TV venture, Sony X950H is no less. With a 65-inch 4K screen that sports Sony’s proprietary Triluminos display technology, the color palette is extensive and the subtle shades are vivid, which results in a true-to-life picture.
What makes this visual treat stand out among its competitors is its in-built game mode. Although gaming laptops might quench your thirst for full-fledged gaming equipment, their 15-inch screens do not evince the same vibe the much bigger TV screens do. Switch from picture mode to game mode and hook your gaming console to this TV via HDMI. You’ll be stunned at the seamless relay of commands from your console to the TV, thanks to its 120Hz refresh rate and its X1 Ultimate processor which boosts contrast and realistic brightness.
Weighing over 50 pounds, configuring this set all alone might not be the best idea. With the price brushing 1,600 dollars, the OS could have been more robust and adaptive. Despite being equipped with the industry-standard Android OS, the ease of use isn’t as smooth and consistent as one would expect in a product of this price range. Besides featuring myriad built-in applications, this TV also comes with the Android app store which is a plus. If not for the OS rendering the set prone to occasional hangs and crashes, this product could have fared much better.
4. TCL 50S425 Smart LED Roku TV
MRP: $475.87
Costing significantly lesser than 50-inch, 4K smart TVs hailing from esteemed mainstream companies such as Samsung and Sony, TCL 50S425 is a well-received product that doesn’t compromise on quality.
TCL 50S425 boasts of a swift 120Hz refresh rate and weighing just 22.5 pounds, it’s easily movable with just minimal effort. High-end smart TVs usually skimp on the speaker performance, but this one doesn’t. The built-in speakers are powerful enough for a TV costing less than 500 bucks, but if you’re a stickler for a perfect audio experience, disable them and pair this TV up with soundbars.
This LED TV features a Roku OS and the user interface, though not glamorous, is easy to navigate. If you’re someone who hates devices saddled with excessive buttons, you would breathe a sigh of relief with this television. The TV remote is remarkably simple with just 20 buttons to access every nook and corner.
The viewing angle is a conspicuous drawback in this otherwise performant smart TV. The screen’s unsophisticated LED display isn’t nifty enough to handle glares and accommodate wide viewing angles. This would pose a problem if your TV is placed in a room suffused with natural light. But if you’re someone who just slouches on the couch in front of the TV at night to unwind after a long, dreary day at the office, this TV may suit you just fine. Considering the price, the pros clearly have the upper hand over the cons.
MRP: $289.99
Yes, you read the price correctly. It’s extremely difficult to get hold of a smart TV that costs below 300 bucks, which is why Japanese-founded Toshiba’s 43LF621U21 is perfect for those on a budget.
This 4K smart TV is just about 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide, so if you prefer a TV that doesn’t obscure half the wall, this one is for you. There’s no denying that Amazon Fire TV is one of the best in the ever-innovative streaming solutions market. Being equipped with Fire TV by default is icing on the cake for Toshiba 43LF621U21 as Fire TV encompasses voice control via Alexa, and content streaming via Amazon Prime Video.
Don’t judge this smart TV’s display by its price. The presence of Dolby Vision HDR enhances the overall viewing experience, and with more than 8 million pixels, the picture quality is noteworthy. You don’t have to worry about this nifty device going out of fashion. The Fire OS installs automatic over-the-air software updates to ensure it doesn’t lag behind the latest technology.
All things considered, although this TV provides great value for money, it isn’t without its fair share of shortcomings. It suffers from backlight consistency woes quite frequently. In an LED TV, the backlight decides how bright the entire screen would appear. Some intuitive TVs adjust their backlight efficiently to adapt to the changes in the room’s lighting by ensuring the picture is neither too dim nor too bright. Toshiba 43LF621U21 isn’t one of them.
The Fire OS isn’t as comprehensive as Android, so the applications are limited. Compatibility is another major concern. There’s no guarantee that the soundbars you own would function in tandem with this TV without hassles.
TOP 5 BEST NON-SMART DIGITAL TVS
Although smartphones have become as ubiquitous as bread in a supermarket, the wholesome everyday experience of watching our favorite shows on TV with abundant snacks to munch on, at the exact same time they are broadcasted is unparalleled. Non-smart TVs are now popularly addressed as “dumb” TVs, owing to their lack of internet-controlled features, but the products featured in this list are anything but dumb.
1. Sceptre Ultra Thin U658CV-UMC 2018 model
MRP: $553.00
While all mainstream TV manufacturers have almost completely switched to smart TVs, Sceptre stayed put without jumping on the bandwagon. If you’re looking for a non-smart digital TV with high-end attributes, Sceptre Ultra Thin U658CV-UMC 2018 model is your best bet.
Sceptre Ultra Thin U658CV-UMC 2018 model costs over 500 dollars. While it may seem unreasonable for a TV devoid of any software, this device is worth it and may even provide more value than smart TVs that cost double the price. Here’s why: with a 65-inch, 4K-quality LED screen, the contrast is impressive and the overall viewing experience is on par with most smart TVs. This nifty TV is equipped with MEMC 120 (Motion Estimation and Motion Compensation), which enables you to relish every frame of sports and action-packed sequences smoothly.
With no internet connectivity, you can put your feet up and watch your favorite channels in amazing clarity without brooding over which company’s collecting your data behind the scenes. The HDMI 2.0 port lets you connect game consoles, blu-ray devices, and laptops, and stream up to 60 frames per second, but more importantly, if you wish to shed your privacy concerns and watch online content, just plug in Amazon Fire TV or any other smart device to the port and enjoy. Such supplementary devices typically cost less than 100 bucks, so ultimately, you end up spending less.
2. Sceptre X415BV-FSRR, Metal Black 2018 model
MRP: $209.98
The second in the list is also a Sceptre product and by all means, a budget-friendly option. This metal-black beauty weighs just about 14 pounds and is easy to move around.
Costing just above 200 dollars, this model doesn’t come with a 4K display, but rather the mid-range 1080p display. The 40-inch screen is good enough but the sound quality is middling, at best. Hook it up with a good-quality soundbar if you don’t like sitting too close to the TV. Sceptre X415BV-FSRR 2018 model works well if you just need a TV that’s easy to set up with no frills.
3. SuperSonic SC-3210 1080p HDTV
MRP: $186.49
SuperSonic SC-3210 is a standard HDTV, which means it offers full HD 1080p clarity. Costing under 200 dollars, this may be your best choice if you’re looking for a cheap but well-made LED widescreen digital TV.
Despite being affordable, SuperSonic SC-3210 doesn’t lower its standards when it comes to picture quality. The display contains a spectrum of vibrant colors.
Being lightweight, this TV is portable and it is compatible with a 12V DC supply, making it a perfect fit for RVs. Its 32-inch body meshes well in any location, be it home, RVs, function areas, or public displays. Just ensure your seller supplies the 12V DC cable along with the product or else you’ll have to go through the trouble of hunting for one if you’re planning on using this TV outside your home.
MRP: $349.99
Priced at close to 350 dollars, it’s reasonable to expect a full HD display, but LG 32LM500BPUA offers only a 720p resolution. While that may seem like a drawback, LG has good brand value, and its durability is indisputable.
Despite featuring a standard 32-inch screen, this TV’s display area appears larger, thanks to the slim design of the bezels. Go for this TV if your primary use is watching TV channels of standard quality, but it may not make your cut if you’re looking for something more.
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