PICTURE THIS

AFFORDABLE TVS WITH TOP IMAGE-PROCESSING TECH

In TVs, just like headphones, speakers, laptops and smartphones, bigger does not automatically mean better. When TV shopping on a modest budget, it's always better to buy a smaller TV with better image quality and features than to focus on size alone..

Besides being difficult to watch in smaller living rooms, buying a TV is a long-term decision, and enjoyable quality viewing over time should trump the short-term thrill of having the biggest TV on the street.

Here are some solid budget buys offering bang for your buck.

ADVANCED SCREENING

4K vs UHD vs FHD

Ultra High Definition, also known as 4K, is twice as detailed as full HD and is now the standard resolution for all new TVs. 8K TVs are increasingly available, but they are very expensive and the screen image may be more detailed than the human eye can see.

HDR vs QLED vs Quantum dot

Using thousands of tiny mini-LEDs for backlighting allows the modern TV to dim and brighten screen areas strategically depending on the video stream. Passing this backlight through a molecular layer called Quantum Dots produces a QLED screen image with more than a billion different colours. These technologies work together to create a far more sophisticated picture with high dynamic range HDR, Dolby Vision and other systems.

Operating systems

Many TV makers still create their own operating systems, but many more now use the Google TV OS, which itself replaces Android TV OS. The biggest advantage of this is that the Play Store will always have all streaming apps available, including local services like DSTV and Showmax, for example. The same cannot be said for the operating systems with small market share.

Voice controls