The gaming industry faced a massive increase in recent months. It made over 73% more sales since last year, totaling up to $1.5 billion. Nintendo was able to sell over 13.4 million copies of Animal Crossing: New Horizons in its first six weeks.
Since the pandemic started, people have found new means of entertainment. Video games became a platform for meeting new people and socializing. Buying specialized TVs for gaming allowed all family members to enjoy video games.
Are you looking for a new TV for gaming? Consider these things when looking for a new gaming TV. Read on to discover what to look for when buying a new TV.
1. Refresh Rates
The refresh rate is not the same as the frame rate. It pertains to how many times per second your TV can redraw an image on the screen. You can measure your TV’s refresh rates in Hz or hertz.
While both are similar, the frame rate refers to the content of your TV. Refresh rates refer to a video’s display or signal. If you’re a casual gamer, a TV with 60 Hz should serve you well.
If you’re a competitive gamer, consider getting a 120 Hz TV. If you connect your TV to a PC or Xbox One, a 120 Hz TV can give you a massive advantage. This may improve the perceived motion on your TV.
You may also consider getting a 120 Hz TV if you enjoy the motion interpolation feature. Motion interpolation adds new generated frames in between existing ones. This gives you more frames and spreads out motion.
2. Resolution
When you are shopping for a TV for gaming, you may often see labels like 1080p and 4k. These numbers refer to a TV’s resolution. The higher the pixel resolution, the more detail a picture will show.
A 1080p screen displays 1080 pixels down and 1920 pixels. When multiplied, you get a total of 2,073,600 pixels. 4K resolution is also known as Ultra HD.
This resolution displays 4000 pixels across. A 4K screen features 2160 pixels down and 3840 pixels across. With a total of over 8,294,000 pixels, a 4K screen shows over four times the resolution of a 1080p screen.
3. Video-Input
When looking for gaming TV features, take note of the various video inputs. If you have an Xbox, PS4, or any other external gaming device, input ports are essential. A TV for gaming must have the necessary cables and ports to hook up external devices.
These are generally known as HDMI cables, which plug into HDMI ports. A high-quality HDMI cable can deliver the best quality. Better cables provide a faster signal and better bandwidth.
Greater bandwidth can help you get the best quality from your TV. As the amount of higher resolution content increases, you need a TV that can support speed and bandwidth. Find quality cables that can support your new TV.
When looking for gaming TVs, look for at least 4 HDMI ports. Check if your TV’s HDMI ports can support HDMI 2.0 and 4K devices. Consider asking your provider about HDCP (high-bandwidth digital content protection) compatibility.
Check out this digital signal strength meter when testing your TV.
4. HDR
HDR, also known as High Dynamic Range, enhances your picture quality. A TV capable of displaying HDR pictures can provide deeper picture contrasts. An HDR TV can make your pictures look more accurate and vivid.
HDR can make dramatic improvements in picture quality. 4K TVs can deliver almost the same quality. But while 4K TVs can reach the same level of picture data, it isn’t as impactful.
With systems like the Xbox Series X and Playstation 5 coming out, HDR is going to play a major role in achieving an optimal gaming experience.
To get the full HDR TV experience, your TV needs two things. First, your TV must be able to display deep blacks and show intense brightness. Inexpensive 4K TVs struggle in showing both features.
When looking for 4K TVs, you may find four different HDR variants. These are Dolby Vision, Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG), HDR10, and Advanced HDR by Technicolor. HDR10 is the most common, while Dolby Vision is often seen on Netflix.
5. Viewing Angle
Consider how high you plan on mounting your TV. You may face viewing angle issues if you get a lower-end LED TV. The picture fades when you view from the sides.
Viewing angle pertains to when a TV’s picture quality begins to fade. Any TV can display the best quality to its ability when you’re sitting opposite of the screen. You can measure a TV’s viewing angle with four metrics.
For video, consider testing your TV before purchase by viewing it from different perspectives. Color washout refers to the angle when colors drop from their original chroma by 80 percent. Color shift refers to when colors change hues depending on the angle.
Consider the brightness loss when looking at a TV from a different angle. Black levels raise refers to when blacks in a picture double in lightness. Finally, gamma shift refers to how much the grays shift in a picture.
6. Color Range
When looking for a new TV for gaming, consider the color range it provides. OLED TVs can display better color compared to LED TVs that need edge lighting. Instead of light grays, OLED TVs can display true blacks.
An OLED screen can turn off individual pixels. This gives you a crisp image with high-contrast. But in the gaming community, you may find that OLED TVs are less convenient.
OLED screens are more likely to burn in than your typical LCD. If you spend more than 10 hours a day playing video games, OLED TVs may not be for you. OLED TVs can also present issues with screen blur.
If your refresh rate is higher than 60 Hz, your OLED screen can suffer from a screen blur. If you prefer a TV with a 120 Hz display, consider sticking to LCD. You may feel disappointed with the decrease in frame rate.
7. Size
The saying “bigger is better” rings true when it comes to TV screen size. A bigger TV screen can provide you with a better viewing experience. Here are some of the different TV screen sizes you may find while shopping for a new TV.
- 25 inches to 39 inches
- 40 inches to 49 inches
- 50 inches to 59 inches
- 60 inches to 69 inches
- 70 inches to 79 inches
- 80 inches and more
Remember that a 65-inch TV has twice the screen size of a 42-inch TV. If you’re looking for a TV at 65 inches or higher, you can be a candidate for a home cinema. Curved TVs are not any better than flat TVs.
8. Price Range
Consider your price range when looking for a new TV for gaming. In the last three to five years, high-end TVs became more affordable. You can get a high-quality 42-inch smart 4K TV for less than a grand.
Pricier TVs can deliver better image quality with deeper blacks and higher contrasts. You may also find richer color spectrums with a few extra bucks. Take note of your price range to narrow down your choices.
9. Audio Quality
Despite offering better image quality, many HDTVs have poor sound. If you want better audio quality, you may consider buying a surround system. Alternatively, you can try getting a soundbar.
Soundbars gained its popularity because of their ability to improve your cinematic experience. Some soundbars are thin enough to install under a TV stand in minutes. Some companies offer soundbars that you can slide under a set.
High-quality soundbars can support Dolby Atmos audio. This new audio standard includes an overhead sound for a better listening experience. Many soundbars can produce realistic audio with Atmos audio processing.
One of the great things about installing soundbars is that they don’t clutter your lounge area. You can avoid creating cable clutter. Getting a soundbar can further improve your gaming experience.
10. Warranty
When buying a new TV, remember to look into the warranty. Extended warranties are one of the biggest factors that give companies a bigger revenue. Flat-panel LCD sets rarely call for a warranty.
The components in an HDTV have high resilience. LEDs used to light a picture are shockproof. Still, if you want to save your money, look for a good warranty.
Regular store policies offer returns within the first 30 days of buying a TV. Most TV manufacturers offer one-year warranties for their products. Some credit card companies may offer additional coverage, so consider talking to your provider.
Get the Best TV for Gaming!
Video games are great platforms for people to entertain and socialize. In the face of community health standards, video games can help people connect with their friends. Video games can also help people bond with family members.
If you’re a new member of the gaming community, you may be looking into gaming accessories. Are you looking for a TV for gaming? Consider these things when looking for gaming TVs.
Of course, your gaming experience doesn’t end here. Feel free to dig through more of our content today for more tech guides and discover how to experience the best gaming lifestyle!
