Facts About Smart TVs You May or May Not Know
If you’re a fan of the music of the ’80s, you probably know The Buggles’ hit “Video Killed the Radio Star” which marked a new era with a new phenomenon called music television. Technological advancements have gone far since then, but instead of the internet killing the video star, we might as well say they kind of merged together. The smart TV designs of today are the perfect example of this mix.
Unlike sets of the old days that relied on antennas, cables, and A/V sources, the new generation models can do much more with their internet connectivity, HDMI ports, a range of apps and streaming options, and even smart home support. Much like smartphones, smart TVs are sort of computers on their own that we have at our disposal to do so much more than use them for cosy movie nights with a home theatre-like experience.
This is especially true in the case of the impressive smart TV 85 inches models. Speaking of which, there are several options we get to choose from in terms of size. The most common ones are 42, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, and 75 inches diagonally. Anything above this, like the 85-inch option, is considered big which requires serious thought for the choice of the mounting or TV unit.
What Are the Available Resolutions?
Same as you get to choose from a range of sizes, you also have various resolutions (i.e. the number of pixels – or simply said colour dots on the screen) at your disposal. The higher the resolution, the better the clarity of the overall image. The most common one today is the 4k (3840×2160) with over 8.2 million pixels which is high enough to give you a quality picture, even for larger designs like the smart TV 85 inches in size.
To give you an idea, it has four times the amount of pixels the 1080p FHD (Full High Definition 1920×1080) has. It’s also better than the 1440p Quad HD (2560×1440) and the 720p HD (1280×720). Of course, it’s not as advanced as the latest 8k innovation, which isn’t as widespread yet.
Keep this in mind if watching content that wasn’t created for 4k or 8k for the time being, as it will affect image quality. If you watch 1080p content, choose a smart set with advanced features to improve the quality of the content for 4k.
How Do Smart TVs Work?
With an internet connection, you can access a range of services and even apps. While the older smart models count on a wired Ethernet connection, the newer ones like the smart TV 85 inches or smaller models have built-in Wi-Fi so they can easily be connected to your home’s network or phone. Simply find the networks, enter the password, and you’re on.
Still, to avoid issues with lagging and image quality, keep in mind you require considerable broadband speed. If asking yourself, “What broadband speed do I need for TV?”, the answer is it all depends on what you’re using the TV for. To use apps like Netflix or Amazon for HD content, you need at least 5mbps or 3mbps for standard. For browsing the web, it can range from 2mbps to 5mbps. If you use plenty of devices to stream and use wi-fi at the same time, consider at least 50 or 100mbps of speed.
Benefits of Using Smart TV
Besides watching your favourite shows, series, and films on USBs, HDMI ports, or even through streaming apps, your 85-inch smart TV can be just as great for a thrilling gaming experience, as it can be used for browsing through the internet, workouts, reading the latest news, or even using your favourite social networks.
All this with two great benefits – it’s done on a huge screen and without the mess of cables, setups, and devices. Some can also be used for making video calls and photo shares, as well as to get recommendations for shows, which further moves the limits of what a TV can do nowadays.
Is There a Catch?
While we all focus on image quality, refresh rate, and surround system when shopping for a new set, most don’t realise security and safety are that big of a deal. Same as with your smartphone, your smart television set can be used to spy on you – but the peace of mind is this is true only if you buy one with a camera in the design which is usually listed among the other essentials and details.
If you’re able to do video calls, as well as use audio commands instead of relying on a remote, then you might be at risk. However, even if you do get one with a camera, you can still take some precautions and measures like getting help from professionals who deal with tech support and computer services to get peace of mind.
