Televisions have come a long way over the past 30 years. There was a time when a big TV showed wealth and the ability to enjoy life (watching football at home on a big screen is a separate pleasure). With the spread of the Internet, PC and laptop users began to treat television and televisions with a slight contempt (why watch them? Everything is on the Internet!). However, as soon as TVs became truly “smart”, they easily regained their previously lost ground.

Today, a home TV is both the best option for YouTube or streaming services, and a large screen to mirror the smartphone screen, showing photos, videos or playing games, and a hub for controlling other devices from the smart home series.

А если телевизор ещё и 4К, то его можно использовать и в качестве дополнительного монитора для компьютера (не опасаясь, что картинка будет зернистой). И только в самом конце перечня прямое назначение ТВ – просмотр телеканалов.

And the quarantine did not just add a bold argument to the question “do I need a TV”, but shifted the emphasis to “what kind of TV do I need and how to choose it”. Using the example of Haier 43 Smart TV MX 4K, we will conduct a small educational program about what functions and specifications a TV should have in 2021.

Content

1. Smart TV or regular TV?
2. If Smart TV, then on Android, WebOS or Tizen?
3. Screen and sound
4. Ports and communications
5. Conclusion

Smart TV or regular TV?

Probably, this question was relevant about five years ago, when it was still possible to find ordinary TVs on the market and buy an Android TV set-top box for them.

Today, ordinary TV can only be found in the deep economy segment. Situations are different, but it’s probably better not to buy such a product. Usually these are small TVs with a screen measuring 21-24 inches, a sad (for 2021) 720p resolution and no HDR10 support and other amenities.

Look at the screenshot above – 720p screen, 21-24 inches, 6W audio power.

For comparison, the Haier 43 Smart TV MX has a 43-inch screen (109 cm), a resolution of 3840 × 2160 pixels (4K resolution), support for 4K upscaling, HDR10 and 16W sound (2 speakers of 8W each). A complete set, which we will analyze in more detail in the following paragraphs.

If Smart TV, then on Android, WebOS or Tizen?

Choosing an operating system for a smart TV is a fairly simple matter. Here you can split TVs into Android TV and all the others.

Haier 43 Smart TV MX runs on Android TV OS, this solution has a number of advantages. Let’s arrange according to the degree of obviousness:

Chromecast built-in… This simple function allows you to send photos and videos from your computer or phone to your TV screen in a second. You can start watching a video from your smartphone and transfer it to your TV with one touch. It is convenient to show photos on the big screen. It is also the easiest option to display your smartphone screen on a TV.

The advantage of Android TV is that Chromecast is a basic, built-in feature that will always be supported and updated regardless of the TV manufacturer. And it works easily and simply from a smartphone or from a browser on a computer. In this case, the picture is displayed in high resolution, the sound – through the TV speakers and without delays.

Что у других? On other operating systems, manufacturers usually ask you to download a separate application to your smartphone. Accordingly, it is not so easy to display a picture from a computer. Chromecast is the quality standard that other manufacturers are trying to equalize today. Accordingly, if you buy a TV not on Android TV, then be sure to check the convenience and quality of the implementation, so that you will not be sad later.

The ability to customize the interface. One of the brightest Advantages of Android TV is the ability to customize the system for yourself. This is not only about the location and appearance of icons or the need to install a third-party, more comfortable launcher. Android TV has the ability to customize channels based on your interests. This is achieved through tight integration with services. For example, a channel that will display videos with YouTube subscriptions, a separate channel with recommended YouTube videos (suggestion based on user interests), channels from Netflix or any other streaming service, channels with interesting applications, etc. The user independently chooses what he likes and how many channels he wants to see.

Что у других? This is a difficult question, since on other operating systems sometimes there is a partial implementation, which is often tied not to the wishes of the user, but to advertising contracts with content providers, which are fulfilled by the manufacturer.

Google Assistant… You may not use a voice assistant on your smartphone, but for a TV, this is a super convenient thing. Ask to find a video on YouTube or an application by voice, ask a question about the weather, get directions, set a reminder. In short, all the features of Google Assistant are available.

Что у других? It all depends on the manufacturer and the specific model. Usually, manufacturers like to promote their assistants and make it difficult to use Google Assistant. The functionality of homebrew assistants is often inferior.

Smart home hub… Smart speakers and TVs are ideal hubs for smart home control. The TV wins, of course, thanks to the screen. You can not only ask the robot vacuum cleaner to clean the kitchen, but also monitor it in real time on a virtual map.

Что у других? In this case, the advantage of Android TV is that the Google Home smart home system is one of the most widespread in the world. Gadgets may not support SamsungConnect or Yandex.Dom, but Google Home will always be supported as the easiest way to sell devices worldwide without additional modifications.

Wide range of applications… Android TV on a TV is essentially the same Android as on a smartphone. Accordingly, the ability to install any applications from the official and alternative application store is available. The most common ideas are a browser, a torrent client (if you connect an SSD to the TV as a drive), games, or any other application that, for example, has regional restrictions. If not in the official store, you can install from an alternative or via the apk file.

Что у других? Everything is simple here. Other operating systems are unlikely to be able to install third-party applications. So if the manufacturer hasn’t taken care, then the user has no options. While Android TV owners can even install applications originally intended for smartphones.

Support & Updates… On Android TV, as a widespread platform, applications receive regular updates.

YouTube in 4K… It is logical that, having a 4K TV, you also want to watch YouTube in 4K, right? If you have Android TV, then this will not be a problem. For example, Apple TV owners have been deprived of such happiness for a long time. Now the situation seems to be improving, but still there are a lot of limitations (maximum 30 frames per second, without HDR support, etc.). The reason is that Apple does not support the codec that Google uses. Accordingly, if you watch YouTube, but the TV is not on Android TV, you should check the support history of Google services on the forums.

Screen and sound

We will not discuss the screen size. Here every owner is a master. It can only be noted that 42-43 inches is the optimal size for most bedrooms and living rooms. It is comfortable to look at such a screen from a distance of 1-2 meters.

By the way, the Haier 43 Smart TV MX has ultra-thin screen frames, so this model will perfectly fit into any interior. Nothing more distracts you from watching TV – just you and your 4K UHD image. Take a look at the photo below. Left – Haier, right – old 2012 TV. It seems that the old TV is bigger, but it is not. Its diagonal is exactly one inch less than that of the Haier 43 Smart TV MX. And in general, Haier is more compact and lighter – it weighs only 7.4 kg (versus 14 kg of an old TV)

However, in addition to the diagonal, it is important to pay attention to other characteristics.

It’s time to upgrade to 4K

For example, the Haier 43 Smart TV MX has a 4K screen resolution, that is, 3840 × 2160 pixels. 4K TVs have been around for a long time, and 8K TVs are already available on the market. The latter are most characterized by a high price and a small selection of content.

Если подходить формально, то 2021 стал годом, когда пора переходить на 4К, так как наконец-то контент для такого разрешения появился в достаточном количестве.

For example, only this year, Nvidia, introducing its new video cards, proposed to consider the resolution of 1440p as the new standard for gaming (this is less than 4K, but already something).

On YouTube, 4K videos have become commonplace. Streaming services are still resisting, but, for example, recently on “Kinopoisk HD” the director’s cut of the movie “Justice League” in 4K quality was released. If you are interested in the reluctance of streaming to switch to 4K, then everything is simple – it’s economically difficult. You also need more space for storing files, and tighten the infrastructure in order to drive “heavy” video over the network.

Соответственно, можно говорить, что ближайшие 6-10 лет будут эрой 4К видео. Так что пока не стоит брать 8К продукты, чтобы не переплачивать за ненужную функцию.

Why are upscaling and HDR10 important?

Пока что даже не весь контент доступен в 4К. У Haier 43 Smart TV MX есть важная функция для решения этой проблемы – 4K UHD Upscaling, то есть улучшение картинки до уровня, сопоставимого с 4К, с помощью искусственного интеллекта. Берем Full HD, или HD фильм, или другое видео, и телевизор на лету улучшает картинку. Формально апскейлинг – это премиальная функция, так что Haier в этом плане неожиданно выгодная покупка.

Along the way, mention should be made of digital noise reduction, which can be useful if you watch TV channels not via the Internet, but via cable. By the way, the TV has a whole set of tuners: DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-C, DVB-S, DVB-S2.

It is important that the TV has HDR10 function. HDR10 is a technology that lets you reproduce video the way it was intended, with the exact colors the director and cameraman wanted. High color depth, wide color gamut and realism are all HDR10. Many streaming services broadcast content in HDR10, and there are many such videos on YouTube. In general, we can say that HDR10 is already a standard. Accordingly, pay attention to its presence on the TV.

A few words about sound

Finally, a couple of words about sound. Of course, no one will argue that the most correct decision would be to buy another soundbar with a 5.1 or even 7.2 system. There are exactly two drawbacks – the price and the fact that you need a lot of space to hang the speakers (and don’t forget to hide the wires).

It is optimal when the TV has good sound, as they say, out of the box. For example, Haier has 8W stereo speakers. And then there is the Simulated Surround Sound function, which creates a surround sound effect. Explosions rumble, bullets whistle, and the music sounds great.

Звук – пожалуй, самая субъективная категория, так что тут каждый сам слушает.

Ports and communications

Given the new status of the television as the home screen, it is important that it has all the necessary means of communication.

• Wi-Fi 5 GHz… 4K content is heavy, so high speed internet is needed. And without Wi-Fi 5 GHz there is no way. The 5 GHz band is less noisy and significantly faster. If your TV does not support 5GHz Wi-Fi, make sure it has at least a wired connection option. Otherwise, get ready for eternal buffering and picture stuttering.
• Bluetooth 5.0… It is not always possible to watch TV with the sound on. Output – headphone connection. Wired in 2021 is a bit overkill. Easier to use bluetooth. If the TV has an old Bluetooth specification, there will be a lag. The hero on the screen said something, but you heard only after 0.5 seconds. Not critical, but annoying. Bluetooth 5.0 and above can solve the problem.

• HDMI 2.0… Version 2.0 is important in that it supports 4K resolution at 60 frames per second. For example, buy a new generation set-top box, and the TV only has HDMI 1.4. And you will lose half of the fun, since you will have to play at 30 fps.
• In general, it is important that the TV has a wide variety of ports. For example, the Haier 43 Smart TV MX has 2 pieces of classic USB Type-A, there is HDMI, there is a CI + slot and a composite video output, an optical digital output and a classic 3.5 mm jack (and an analog audio output). And there is even a slot for SD memory cards, that is, you can insert a card from the camera and watch right away.

Conclusion

In this small article, we tried to list the main functions and technologies that a TV should have in order to delight its owner, while remaining modern, in the next 6-10 years.

If we talk specifically about the Haier 43 Smart TV MX TV, then it is best to get acquainted with it on the Haier website in more detail.

For example, there is a function to watch live, when a consultant in the store will remotely show you the TV and answer your questions. Along the way, the brand store promises free shipping, 3 years warranty and 10% cashback.

By the way, Haier are confident in the quality of their product, so a promotion is offered when the TV can be returned within 14 days (as you remember, a technically complex product cannot be returned if there is no defect). * the promotion is valid from May to June.

Also, until the end of May, there will be a promotion under the Mobile20 promo code, according to which you can get a 20% discount on all categories of equipment on the official Haier website, except for laptops. The promotion cannot be combined with other discounts, points and promotions.

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Published – April 28, 2021

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