What should I consider before buying a TV?
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What do I need to check before buying a TV?
Buying a new TV is about more than just screen size. Your room setup, viewing habits, gaming needs, audio preferences, and lighting conditions can all influence which TV is the best fit for you.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the most important things to consider before purchasing a Sony BRAVIA TV and help you better understand which features may suit your lifestyle.
Find the right TV size
One of the most common questions when buying a TV is: How big should my TV be?
Larger TVs can provide a more immersive experience for movies, sports, and gaming, but it’s important to make sure the TV fits comfortably in your room.
Before buying a TV, consider:
- Your viewing distance from the TV
- The dimensions of your TV furniture or wall space
- Whether the TV stand fits between the TV legs
- Wall mounting requirements and VESA compatibility
- Room brightness and reflections
Don’t forget to check the product specifications for exact dimensions, including width, height, depth, and stand position.
Understanding TV display technologies
Different TV technologies are designed for different viewing environments and preferences.
| Technology | Best for | Main benefits |
|---|---|---|
| BRAVIA OLED | Movies, cinematic viewing, darker rooms | Deep blacks, exceptional contrast, and immersive image quality |
| BRAVIA Mini LED | Bright rooms, sports, daytime viewing | High brightness, strong contrast, and good visibility in well-lit rooms |
| BRAVIA Full Array LED | Balanced everyday viewing | Good contrast and reliable performance for mixed use |
Sony BRAVIA TVs also include picture processing technologies such as XR Processor, XR Clear Image, and XR Contrast Booster to improve clarity, colour, and realism.
Gaming features
If you use a PlayStation 5 or another modern gaming console, certain TV features can improve responsiveness and gameplay smoothness.
120Hz refresh rate
Allows smoother motion in supported games, especially fast-moving action games.
HDMI 2.1
Supports advanced gaming features such as 4K at 120Hz on compatible devices.
VRR
Variable Refresh Rate helps reduce screen tearing when the game frame rate changes.
ALLM
Auto Low Latency Mode automatically switches the TV to a low-lag gaming mode.
Auto HDR Tone Mapping
With compatible PlayStation 5 consoles, HDR settings are automatically adjusted for the TV.
Some Sony BRAVIA TVs also include gaming-specific picture settings designed for PlayStation 5.
Audio and home cinema setup
Modern TVs are thinner than ever, which can limit speaker size. If audio quality is important to you, you may want to consider pairing your TV with a Sony Soundbar or BRAVIA Theatre system.
Dolby Atmos
Creates a more immersive surround sound experience with compatible content and audio devices.
Acoustic Surface Audio+
On compatible OLED TVs, sound comes directly from the screen for a more natural viewing experience.
Voice Zoom
Helps make dialogue clearer without greatly increasing the overall volume.
Acoustic Center Sync
Uses the BRAVIA TV as the centre speaker when connected to compatible Sony audio systems.
HDMI ARC / eARC
Sends TV audio to a soundbar or AV receiver through HDMI. eARC supports higher-quality audio formats.
Streaming and smart features
Most Sony BRAVIA TVs include Google TV, which allows you to access streaming apps, voice search, recommendations, and casting features.
Depending on the model, features may include:
- Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Prime Video, and other streaming apps
- Google Assistant voice control
- Apple AirPlay support
- Chromecast built-in
- Bluetooth headphone connectivity
Room lighting and viewing environment
The lighting conditions in your room can significantly affect picture quality.
| Room type | TV type to consider |
|---|---|
| Dark or dim room | BRAVIA OLED |
| Bright room with many windows | BRAVIA Mini LED |
| Mixed everyday viewing | BRAVIA Full Array LED |
If your room has strong sunlight or reflections, a brighter TV may provide a better viewing experience during daytime use.
Connectivity and ports
Before purchasing a TV, think about the devices you want to connect.
Examples include:
- Gaming consoles
- Streaming devices
- Soundbars or AV receivers
- Blu-ray players
- Bluetooth headphones
Make sure the TV has enough HDMI ports and supports the features you need, such as HDMI 2.1 or eARC.
Which Sony BRAVIA TV profile sounds most like you?
Select the option below that best matches your viewing habits.
A great match for you: BRAVIA OLED TVs for cinematic viewing
BRAVIA OLED TVs are ideal for movie lovers who want deep blacks, rich contrast, and immersive picture quality.
- Excellent for movies and streaming
- Strong contrast and realistic colours
- Ideal for darker viewing environments
A great match for you: BRAVIA TVs with gaming features
Look for BRAVIA TVs with HDMI 2.1 features such as 120Hz, VRR, ALLM, and PlayStation 5 integration.
- Smoother gameplay
- Lower input lag
- Useful features for compatible PlayStation 5 consoles
A great match for you: Bright BRAVIA TVs with smooth motion
BRAVIA Mini LED TVs can provide bright images and smooth motion for fast-moving sports content.
- Good daytime visibility
- Smooth motion clarity
- Suitable for larger living rooms
A great match for you: Balanced everyday BRAVIA TVs
BRAVIA Full Array LED TVs provide a strong balance between picture quality, brightness, and value.
- Good for mixed usage
- Streaming and TV friendly
- Suitable for family viewing
A great match for you: Bright BRAVIA Mini LED TVs
If your room has many windows or lots of daylight, a brighter BRAVIA TV may improve visibility and reduce reflections.
- High brightness levels
- Strong daytime viewing
- Good reflection handling
A great match for you: BRAVIA TVs with immersive audio
Consider pairing your BRAVIA TV with a Sony soundbar or BRAVIA Theatre system for a more immersive viewing experience.
- Dolby Atmos support
- Acoustic Center Sync compatibility
- Enhanced dialogue and surround sound