STACK #259 May 2026

SMARTER TV SHOPPING continued

TECH FEATURE

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Smart TV glossary

Here are some of the more common terms you’ll encounter when considering a smart TV upgrade. 4K Ultra HD (UHD) – A high resolution with four times the detail of Full HD. ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) – Automatically switches the TV into gaming mode when needed. Backlight – The light source behind some screens that affects brightness and contrast. BT.2020 – A wide colour standard that allows TVs to display a broader, more lifelike range of colours. Dolby Atmos – A surround sound format that creates a more immersive, 3D audio experience. Dolby Vision – An advanced HDR format that adjusts picture quality scene-by-scene. Gaming Mode – Reduces input lag for faster, more responsive gaming. HDMI – The main cable connection for devices like game consoles, laptops soundbars and Blu-ray players. HDMI eARC – Sends high-quality audio from your TV to a sound system. HDR (High Dynamic Range) – Enhances contrast and colour for brighter highlights and deeper blacks. HDR10/HDR10+ – Common HDR formats, with HDR10+ adding dynamic scene-by-scene optimisation (like Dolby Vision). Input lag – The delay between pressing a button and seeing the action on screen. Local dimming – Adjusts LED backlight zones to improve contrast and black levels. Motion smoothing – Software that reduces blur in fast-moving scenes like sport or action movies. Nits (peak brightness) – A measurement of how bright a TV can get – important for best HDR performance. Operating System (OS) – The TV’s interface and app platform (e.g. Google TV, Tizen, webOS). Quantum dots (QD) – Tiny nanocrystals used to improve colour accuracy and brightness. Refresh Rate (Hz) – How many times per second the image updates; higher rates mean smoother motion. Smart TV – A TV with built-in internet access and apps like Netflix and YouTube. Soundbar – A compact external speaker that improves TV audio quality. Upscaling – Improves lower-resolution content to look closer to 4K quality. VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) – Syncs the TV’s refresh rate with a gaming console to reduce screen tearing. Viewing angle – How well the picture quality holds up when viewed from the side.

Do I need a soundbar or are the TV speakers good enough? TVs are getting a lot thinner, so built-in speakers can be limited. While most TVs sound fine for everyday viewing – and many can now simulate surround sound - adding a soundbar can make a big difference for movies, sport, and music. A big TV demands big sound to complete the home theatre experience!

Is this TV good for gaming? Features like HDMI 2.1, 144Hz refresh rates (or higher), and low input lag are important for gaming. These help deliver smoother gameplay and faster response times, especially for next-gen consoles. If gaming is a priority, it’s worth choosing a TV that supports them.

What apps and smart features does the TV have?

Most smart TV operating systems come with popular streaming apps preloaded – think Netflix, Stan, Disney+, and YouTube - and adding others is a simple process.

Is this TV energy efficient? It pays to check the TV’s energy star rating to get an idea of running costs. More energy efficient TVs can help reduce power bills over time, especially if the TV is used daily. Energy efficiency is relative to the size of the TV – for example, a 55-inch TV generally uses less power than a 75-inch TV. Will it fit my setup and what extras do I need? From wall mounting to connectivity, you want to make sure everything works seamlessly at home. Check whether a wall mount bracket is included, how many HDMI ports the TV has for connecting external devices like a laptop or gaming console, and if the TV will connect easily to Wi-Fi and other devices.

Voice control is another desirable feature of smart TVs, letting you search content or control your TV hands-free. Many smart TVs support popular voice assistants like Google and Alexa, and can also be used to control compatible smart home devices, such as viewing a security camera’s live feed.

MAY 2026

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