RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Not everybody can afford to be in the stadium during the Super Bowl — but with the big game just a few days away, a tech expert has shared some recommendations on which televisions will get you the closest to that live experience.
As technology continues to improve, television offerings are only getting better at providing that immersive experience.
“You’re going to see the big game better than being there in person,” said Tom Campbell with the Video & Audio Center. “You’ll see a huge difference between last year’s set, or a set that’s five or 10 years ago, and the new sets now.”
These changes are especially obvious now that the “100-inch barrier [in screen size] has been broken,” according to DigitalTrends.com TV reviewer Caleb Denison.
“Now we’re receiving TVs that are the size of projector screens,” Denison said.
The sweet spot is still around 65-inches, but 75 and 85-inch models continue to grow in popularity.
Newer television models offer larger screens and better image quality, according to Campbell — and the best part? The the prices aren’t bad, either.
“I don’t think TV prices are going to get much lower than they are right now,” Denison said.
Black Friday and the holidays are definitely great times to shop for televisions — but retailers also regularly offer discounts around the Super Bowl, knowing customers are looking for an upgrade in time for the big game.
With so many options to choose from, Dension had some suggestions on what to look for, especially when debating between two particular types — QLED and OLED.
QLED, or quantum-dot light-emitting diode, television models use LED backlighting and a liquid crystal display to bring a program to life. This results in more saturated colors.
If you’re considering a QLED set, you should look for a model with miniLED, according to Denison.
“These TVs are excellent at getting very bright, and so they’re great for a really bright room,” Denison said.
OLED, or organic light-emitting diode, television models have individual pixels each providing their own lighting. This improves the accuracy of colors across the screen, as well as contrast.
“Contrast is the thing that the eye picks up on the most,” Denison said. “And OLED TVs are just the more contrasty TV of the two.”
Here are a few picks Denison suggested to those looking to buy a TV, starting around $700 each:
While these may be brands people are “still warming up to,” Denison said these TVs have proven to be very reliable.
Additionally, for those looking to upgrade, some TV picks at a higher price point include Samsung’s S90C or S89C, with the latter being a Best Buy exclusive — or LG’s C3.
However, according to Denison, there is one clear victor when it comes to the best manufacturer — even if it means paying a little bit of a “brand tax.”
“If you are a movie buff or a cinephile, Sony is still the best out there,” Denison said. “They make the very best TVs, in my opinion.”
