tips on buying a new tv and tv trends - fairfaxcounty.gov · fairfax county communications policy...

Tips on Buying a New TV

and TV Trends

Fairfax County

Communications Policy & Regulation Division

December 11, 2017

Today’s Topics• Some TV History

• Tips on Buying a New TV• Screen Size

• Picture Quality

• Features

• “Smartness”

• Other Considerations

• TV Trends: Video over the Internet (“over-

the-top”)

2

Some TV History

Black & White (1939 World’s Fair)

Cable TV (1948)

Color TV (1954)

Satellite TV (1962)

Pay TV – HBO (1972)

VCR – Sony Betamax v. VCR (late 1970s)

DVD (1997)

3

Some TV History (cont.)Tivo/DVR (1999)

“Flat Screen” Plasma and LCD TVs (1990s -2000s)

HDTV Broadcasts (2000)

3D TV (2010)

Ultra High Definition/Ultra HD/4K (2012)

OLED TV (2013)

“Smart” TV (2014)

UHD Premium (2016)4


1. Screen Size

2. Picture Quality – Type/Resolution/Standards

3. Features – HDR/WCG/Nits/Refresh Rate

4. Price Comparisons

5. Other Considerations

5

Tips – Screen Size

6

How Large a Screen Do You Need?

An old 32 inch 4:3 screen is

25.6” wide and 19.2” tall.

Need a digital 43 inch 16:9 screen

(36.6 “ wide and 20.6” tall) to get

equivalent height.

Seated Distance From TV 3 - 4 Feet 4.5 - 5.5 Feet 6 - 7 Feet 7.5 - 8.5 Feet 8.5 - 9.5 Feet

Recommended Size of TV

Screen

32” 40” – 45” 48” – 55” 57” – 64” 65” – 76”

Rule of Thumb: Measure seated distance from TV in inches and divide by 1.5 to get the

recommended screen size. Example: 7 ft = 84”; 84”divided by 1.5 is 55” approx. diagonal size


1. Screen Size

2. Picture Quality – Type/Standards/Resolution

3. Features – High Dynamic Range/Nits/Refresh Rate



7

Picture Quality - Type

8

What types of TV display are currently available

o LED

LED TV is a type of LCD television that uses light-

emitting diodes (LEDs) to backlight the display instead

of the cold cathode fluorescent lights (CCFLs) used in

standard LCD televisions. LED TVs are more formally

known as LED-backlight LCD television.

o OLED

OLED (organic light-emitting diode) uses an organic

substance that glows when an electric current is

introduced. This revolutionary material is part of a new

design approach that drastically reduces the thickness

and weight of the TV.

The light passes through a combination of filters

to reproduce spectacular high-definition images

o LARGELY GONE – Plasmas, LCDs

Picture Quality - Standards

9

Manufacturers advertise only the vertical resolution (except 4K).

“p” stands for “Progressive” and “i” stands for “Interlaced”

Standard FeaturesStandard Definition = “SD” or “SDTV”

(since 1941)

Resolution: 720x480i

Aspect Ratio: 4:3

Standard High Definition = “HD” or “HDTV”

(since late 1990s)

Resolution: 1280x720p or 1920x1080i

Aspect Ratio: 16:9

Full High Definition = “Full HD”

(since 2005-2006)

Resolution: 1920x1080p

Aspect Ratio: 16:9

Ultra High Definition = “Ultra HD” or “UHD” or “4K

UHD” or just “4K” (since 2012-2014)

Resolution: 3840x2160p or 4K

Aspect Ratio: 16:9

Ultra HD Premium = “UHD Alliance Premium

Certified” or “4k Premium” or “UHD Premium”

(since 2015)

Resolution: 3840x2160p or 4K (8K=7680x4320)

Aspect Ratio: 16:9

Color Depth: (10bit), Wide Color Gamut, Sound

High Dynamic Range: (HDR10 or Dolby Vision)

Nits (Luminance): (1000 for 4K, 540 for OLED)

Standards Logos

10

Picture Quality - Resolution

11

Type Dimensions(Horizontal x Vertical Lines)

Total Pixels Acuity

SDTV 640 x 480 pixels 0.30 million 1

HDTV 720p 1280 x 720 pixels 0.922 million 2.8X

Full HD 1080p 1920 x 1080 pixels 2.074 million 6.3X (1)

UHD or 4K 3840 x 2160 pixels 8.3 million 25X (4)


1. Screen Size

2. Picture Quality – Type/Standards/Resolution




12

Features – HDR

.13

High Dynamic Range

• HDR greatly increases the range of color, luminance

and contrast on a TV to produce a more realistic image.

• Luminance: A normal TV puts out around 100 - 200

“nits” of luminance. An HDR TV can in theory produce

up to 5,000 nits. (UHD Premium Standard = 1000 nits)

Note: Some TVs that claim to be HDR or “HDR compatible” may

be able to play HDR content, but without full HDR picture quality.

Features - HDR

14

Pictures courtesy of Best Buy

Features - Nits

Nits are a measure of Luminance – An objective measure of light output within a given area (1 nit = 1 candela/sq. meter)

– Similar to Lumens in a video projector (1 nit = 3.4 lumens)

Technically different than Brightness – A subjective measure of percentage of dark to bright

TV Light Output:– Average TV: 100-200 nits

– HDR TVs: 400 – 2,000 nits

– UHD Premium standard: 1000 nit minimum for LCD; 540 nit minimum for OLED

– Key is the ratio between the brightest brights and the darkest darks

15

Features – Refresh Rate

16

• Refresh Rate is How fast the TV screen refreshes its image

• Measured in Hz (“Hertz”) or “frames per second”o Video content in the U.S. is shot at 30 or 60 frames/second so at a 60Hz refresh rate, 30 Hz

content the image is repeated twice every 60th of a second.

o Note: Movies typically shot at 24 frames/second

Important because:o Quickly-moving objects, as in sports, may appear jerky or blur if the refresh rate is too slow

o “Soap Opera Effect” – Makes movies look like they were filmed with video cameras

• What to look for: o 60 Hz Okay

o 120 Hz Much better than 60Hz (Most 4K TVs have a 120 Hz refresh rate)

o 240 Hz Best (but beware of creative marketing by manufacturers)


17

Comparing refresh rates:

60 Hz

120 Hz


18

Note: Some marketing may use misleading terminology

such as 120 Hz or 240 Hz “Clear Motion Rate”, Clear Scan

Rate,” or “Effective Refresh Rate.” These TVs may

actually have only a 60 Hz or 120Hz refresh rate, but use

proprietary technologies to simulate a higher rate.

Examples: “TruMotion” (LG); “Motion Rate” (Samsung);

“Motionflow XR” (Sony); “Image Motion” (Panasonic);

“Effective Refresh Rate” (Vizio); “Clear Motion Index” (TCL)


1. Screen Size





19

Tips – Price Comparisons

20

32” 41”-45” 48”-50” 55”-59” 65”-69”

HD $120(720p) $230(1080p) $300(1080p) N/A N/A

1080p Smart $230-$300 $250-$380 $280-$400 $330-$450 N/A

4K/UHD N/A $280-$550 $350-$600 $380-$700 $730-$900

4K UHD with

HDR

N/A $650 $400-$950 $600-

$1,800

$1,000-

$3,500

UHD Premium

(OLED/QLED)

N/A N/A $1,300 $1,500-

$2,500

$2,300-

$5,000

Source: Best Buy (Dec 7, 2017)

Brands: Samsung, LG, Sony, Vizio, Hisense/Sharp, TCL, Insignia (BestBuy)


1. Screen Size




5. Content


21

Tips – Content• All this technology is great but…the content

needs to catch up

• Most High Definition Digital content is not 4K or

HDR

• Industry is creating more and more 4K content

22


1. Screen Size





23

Tips – Other Considerations

1. Mind The Weakest Link

2. Inputs

3. Accessories

4. Antennas

5. What You Can Watch

24

The Weakest Link

“It doesn’t look as good as in the store!” - remember

“An army moves as slow as its slowest man”….

Similarly….

To play 4K (or HDR) content (from a 4K HDR Blue Ray disk):

1. The source device must be a 4K or UHD or HDR capable

Roku Player, or 4K UHD HDR Blue ray player etc.

2. The connections (wires) 4 K capable HDMI 2 (not HDMI1)

including HDMI 2 outlets on the TV and

3.Television itself should be 4K/HDR

Tips – Other Considerations• Inputs – make sure you have enough:

• Video Game Console, Blu-ray Player, Cable box, A/V Receiver,

Streaming Media Player

• Accessories:• HDMI Cables

• Surge Protectors

• Stands and Mounts

• Remotes

• Antennas• Able to receive local channels in digital format

• Good alternative or supplement if you live in or near a large metro area

26

Tips – Inputs and Cables

27

When you buy a new 4K TV look for the latest HDMI connection

outlets on the back of the TV called “HDCP2.2 Outlets” which

will support 4K content from 4K devices being attached (like the

Roku 4K streaming media player).

Latest

HDMI

outlets

that

support

4K

Today’s Topics• Some TV History

• Tips on Buying a New TV• Screen Size

• Picture Quality

• Features

• Price

• Other Considerations

• TV Trends: Video over the Internet (“over-

the-top”)

28

Trend Toward Video Over the Internet

29

Most people have received video over cable in the

past 30 years

Sources of dissatisfaction with cable:

Rates

Customer service

Packaging of programs or channels (vs. “à la carte”)

Therefore other sources for video are developing,

including “over-the-top” (OTT) (video over the

Internet)

Over-the-Top Video (OTT) or Internet Video

OTT is often referred to as "over-the-top" because these services ride on

top of the service you already get and don't require any business /

technical affiliations with your cable provider - except for the Internet

service to your home

OTT is streaming video (movies, TV shows, clips, etc.) over the Internet.

Includes YouTube (free), Netflix ($), Hulu ($), Amazon (some free if

member). On-demand vs. live programming.

Original content offered. E.g., Netflix’s House of Cards, Orange is the

New Black, Game of Thrones (HBO Now or HBO Go (via cable provider)

Millennials sometimes “cord-cutters” or “cord-nevers” and often access

OTT; but many access OTT in addition to cable service

Trend is toward watching TV via OTT

30

External Devices That Get You TV over the Internet

31

Streaming Media

Devices (Boxes &

Sticks):Apple TV, Roku, Sling Box, Amazon

Fire, Google Chromecast, etc.

Blu-Ray Players

& Game Boxes:Samsung, Sony, LG, PS4,

Xbox, Nintendo, etc.

Smart TVs:Built in Roku TV, Amazon

Fire TV, etc.

Laptops, Tablets,

Cell Phones

OTT Packages“Skinny Bundles” similar to Cable “Tier” Packages)

YouTube TV (Google) ($35/month):

Hulu (similar package to YouTube): expected later this year

Sony PlayStation Vue: $30/month live local TV in select cities

DirecTV Now (by AT&T): $35/month incl. live local in cities (3/3/2017)

Prime (Amazon) Video: Included in Prime Membership-$11/month

Dish’s Sling TV (with ESPN): $20 (1/2015)

HBO/Showtime/Starz $5- $15/month depending on Source/Package

CBS All Access: $6 (10/2014)

Nickelodeon: Noggin preschool app, $6 (1/2015)

Apple TV: No streaming TV service yet. Apple TV app

32

OTT Packages - Pricing

33

• Netflix: $12 per month. Limited 4K shows available (e.g., House of

Cards)

• YouTube: Free (limited selection)

• Amazon Prime: Included with a $99 per year Prime Membership, plus

select titles for rental or purchase around $20 to $30

• Xfinity: (Comcast) free to Xfinity TV subscribers

• Sony’s Ultra Streaming Services: ($30 per movie purchased)

• Fandango Now: $7 per rental (approx. $25 per purchase)

• Google Play: $3.99 rent, $14.99 buy

• Satellite: DirecTV, $4 to $16 per movie title on demand; Dish, $8 per title

• Vudu: $10 for rental, $20 for purchase

Pros and Cons of OTTOTT still requires Internet service

Needs a robust Internet connection

Pricing –Must add cost of Internet service to

cost of chosen OTT content

Data caps may be an issue

Real time programming currently hard to

access using OTT – especially live

broadcast TV

34

Summary• Tips on Buying a New TV

• Screen Size – Buy what fits your space and viewing distance

• Picture Quality:

• Type: OLED if $ no object; LED for everyone else

• Resolution: 1080p for TV less than 40” or if replacing in a few years, otherwise 4K

• Standards: Full HD (1080p); Ultra HD/UHD; Ultra HD Premium

• Features:

• HDR: Better color and contrast; more expensive but where the market is heading

• Nits: 200-400

• Refresh Rate: 120 Hz

• Prices: Keep falling; a great TV for every budget

• Other Considerations: Virtually all TVs are Smart; Inputs; Cables; Remotes; Antennas

• Content!

35

Summary• TV Trends: Video over the Internet (“over-the-top”)

• Why OTT? Lower prices; greater flexibility

• Requires Smart TV or external device (low cost and many choices)

• Multiple “Skinny Bundles” from multiple providers

36

QuestionsCommunications Policy and Regulation

Division (assists with cable-related problems and

cable safety and construction issues)

● Call: 703-324-5902

● email: [email protected]

● Web: www.FairfaxCounty.gov/cable/

Consumer Affairs Branch - (incl. cable billing and

all complaints against a business in the County)

● Call for advice: 703-222-8435

● File complaints: www.FairfaxCounty.gov/

consumer/complaints.htm

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