Selecting the Right TV Size

Before you start hunting, you'll want to measure your space. If you plan to hang your TV, measure the surface area of the wall where it will be placed. If you have a stand, make sure it is wide and sturdy enough to safely support the television.

Next, consider where at home you'll be watching from. A couch? Your bed? The kitchen? Straining your eyes isn’t fun, so keep in mind the distance between the TV and your seat in order to judge the right screen size for your space. The weight is also important, especially if it will be mounted on a wall. Buying a sturdy mount or stand in the correct size will ensure your new entertainment addition is fully protected.

The size has a direct relationship to the room it will be placed in. The bigger, the better for large rooms where parties and gatherings are held. Your guests can enjoy movie nights, game days and more without feeling cramped. Smaller TVs are more manageable for the bedroom as they are likely to sit closer to where you’ll be watching from. Same goes for the kitchen, where a little entertainment is nice, but extra space is in short supply.

As much as we don’t want to believe it, it is possible to go too big. Large TVs with 1080 pixels (commonly known as 1080p or Full HD) are just not built to watch from short distances. This exceptional display may only be appreciated from a viewing distance of nine feet or more; any closer and the individual pixels become visible. 4K televisions are a much better bet for close-range viewing – but more on that later. For testing purposes, hang a blanket or a piece of cardboard the size of your prospective television to see firsthand how big the screen will look from your viewing distance.

4K UHD or OLED: Which Is Right for You?

Now it’s time to decide which type is appropriate for your lifestyle. But what do all these acronyms mean? No worries, it’s quite simple once they are broken down.

4K UHD, also known as Ultra HD, or Ultra High-Definition, has a total resolution of 3840 by 2160 pixels, which is four times the total amount of pixels than found in Full HD. Because of the increased pixel count, there is a noticeable difference between a standard HD and a 4K UHD TV the closer you sit – with 4K, you won’t see the individual pixels from a foot away, so the picture is more lifelike than ever. That is, assuming you're watching a program recorded in 4K. As it stands now, more and more new films, sports broadcasts and television programs are slowly converting to 4K.

OLED, or Organic Light-Emitting Diode, is different because the panels emit their own light when an electric current is charged through. 4K UHD TV, on the other hand, requires an external light source for display. The quality of OLEDs surpasses other types because of the color display and contrast ratios. They are also are much thinner, lighter and more energy efficient.

Smart and Wi-Fi Enabled TVs: What’s The Difference?

Fear not, streaming friends. Both Smart and Wi-Fi-enabled televisions allow you to browse content from the Internet with apps such as Netflix, Facebook and many other favourites. The browsing ability on each is the major difference. The “Smart” capability allows you to fully surf the web; you can even plug in a keyboard, just like a desktop computer. Wi-Fi enabled televisions do not allow you to browse websites, but you can enjoy content through provided apps using Wi-Fi. So, which is best for you? Decide whether you need to fully browse the web from your TV or just want to stream the odd Netflix drama and you’ll find your answer fairly quickly.

Samsung and LG are leading brands sold by The Brick that offer 4K UHD TVs in a variety of screen sizes. LG also sells OLED models. Smart and Wi-Fi enabled TVs can also be purchased from both of these popular brands.