Whether you need to replace a damaged TV, you’re moving into a new home, or you just need to update a financed or rented TV, getting a new Television on an Instalment Agreement is a great way to get the home cinema experience without breaking the bank.
There are all sorts of different factors to consider when choosing a TV, and you want to be sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck. So, we’ve put together this handy guide to getting a TV with an instalment plan that will help you choose the right television for your home.
What are the TV screen sizes?
When looking at TV options, you might notice that the TV’s size is not reflective of its width or height. This is because TV size is actually measured diagonally from the top corner of the screen to the opposite bottom corner.
To help you understand TV screen sizes in Australia, we’ve put together the handy graphic below:
Screen size is one of the most important considerations when financing a new TV. You need to be sure the TV itself will fit in your living space or home cinema, but you probably also want the biggest size you can reasonably get. With a larger screen, you get a more immersive viewing experience, and it can be easier to read subtitles or text in video games.
With that said, the size of your TV screen shouldn’t only be limited by how much space you have on your wall or entertainment unit. You also need to consider how far you can sit from your television screen. Sitting too close to a large screen can lead to eye strain, fatigue and headaches. Make sure you can sit at a comfortable distance from your TV.
Here’s a few of our most popular TV’s and sizes,
TCL 75″ P735 4K Ultra HD QLED Google TV | Hisense 55″ 4K UHD LED Smart TV | Akai 65″ Tizen 4K UHD TV |
What is TV image resolution (HD, UHD, 4K, 8K)?
Image quality should be another crucial consideration for your financed TV. You might have seen some TVs described as HD, Ultra HD, 4K or even 8K. These terms refer to the resolution of the television. Resolution is the number of pixels on the screen and is another way of indicating the size, but also picture quality. The higher the resolution, the larger the screen can be without degrading picture quality.
We’ve broken down these terms for you so you can make an informed decision about what’s right for your home:
1. HD or FHD TVs
Also called Full HD, these TVs have a 1080p resolution. For a long time, this was the best option on the market and it still holds up today for most people. If you’re not too fussed about getting the crispest quality or the largest screen, go for HD or FHD.
2. UHD and 4K TVs
Ultra HD refers to a resolution of 3840 x 2160. This is exactly the same thing as 4K – they’re just different terms for the same thing, and you might even see both used (e.g. 4K UHD). The term Ultra HD comes from this resolution being the next level up from FHD, while 4K comes from the horizontal pixel count being roughly 4,000 pixels.
In digital cinema (that is, movie theatre projectors), 4K is a little higher at 4069 x 2160. UHD or 4K is often the best choice for people who want a large screen with great picture quality, but don’t want to spend too much.
3. 16K and 8K TVs
After 4K (which is 4,000 pixels across) things keep doubling.
16K is the current pinnacle of TV resolution, boasting a massive pixel count! You can buy a 16K TV the size of a bus. It’ll set you back several million!
8K is still considered top of the line for us mortals. Naturally, this means the digital image is the clearest on the market, regardless of screen size. But 4K really does the job very well.
Content that is designed for 8K or higher is still rare. Most movies, TV shows and even video games are still released in 4K. 8K resolution has a pixel count of 7680×4320 — 8K TV’s have 33 million plus pixels in the total image.
Both the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X are capable of supporting 8K content from a hardware perspective, but currently have 8K output “locked” from a software perspective until 8K content becomes more common.
Read more: Essential appliances for moving into a new home
If you’re stumped while looking at terms like LED, LCD and OLED, you’re not alone. These terms refer to the panel technology of the TV – basically, think of it as the actual physical hardware of the display. Here’s a further breakdown of these terms:
What do the different TV panel types mean (LED, LCD, OLED, QLED?)
The main difference between LED, LCD, OLED and QLED tv’s, is the way the screen is lit.
LED and LCD TVs
Both LED (light-emitting diode) and LCD (liquid crystal display) TVs use almost identical display technologies. Both use a liquid crystal display panel which allows light to be displayed on the TV, with the electrical current determining where the screen is or isn’t lit.
The main difference is the way the screen is lit. Older LCD TVs used a fluorescent backlight to light the whole image. The more modern LED TVs use a number of smaller, more energy-efficient LEDs. These smaller lights are either behind the LCD panel as a backlight, or around the edge of the TV (edge-lit LED), with edge lighting producing a thinner TV.
For the most part, all LCD TVs today are LED lit, but it’s a good idea to check before you buy or finance or rent a new TV as the viewing experience of LED is generally superior at no greater cost.
OLED TVs
OLED (organic light-emitting diode) is the advancement of LED technology, with a vastly superior viewing experience. The pixels in an OLED are self-illuminating, removing the need for a backlight or edge lighting. This means the TVs can be even slimmer, while also enabling total control of the pixels.
Your TV can isolate and turn individual pixels on or off depending on the demands of the content. That means the image is incredibly clear, and total black is possible, giving you high contrast, realistic imagery.
OLED TVs are super slim, more energy-efficient, more environmentally friendly to produce, and offer crisp, clean imagery with true blacks and a high refresh rate.
QLED TVs
QLED is a very different technology from OLED and is actually more similar to the standard LED TV. QLED stands for quantum-dot light-emitting diode, and these TVs are near identical to a modern LED TV with edge-lighting. QLED boast very brilliant whites with an ultra-bright screen. They aren’t as slim as OLED, nor do they offer true blacks or a comparable refresh rate.
QLED TVs are made by Samsung, Hisense, LG and TCL.
What is a Smart TV?
A Smart TV is any TV with a built-in internet connection and operating system that allows the user to access streaming apps like YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Stan, Foxtel and more. These TVs have been around for a long time, and they used to be a “nice-to-have”, but the demand for streaming apps is increasing.
Of course, most TVs are capable of achieving the same benefits as a Smart TV by connecting to a box such as an Android TV box, or even a gaming console (which often double as media centres, capable of playing Blu-ray discs and streaming). If you are going to buy, rent or pay for your TV by instalments, all new TV’s are now smart TV’s.
Android TV is just one popular Smart TV operating system – developed by Google and based on the same technology as an Android smartphone. Other Smart TV operating systems or plug-in accessories include:
● Google Chromecast (which allows you to wirelessly display media from your phone on your TV).
● Apple TV
● Roku Streaming Stick
● Tizen (built-in to Samsung TVs)
Questions to ask yourself before buying a TV on Instalment
With all of the above information in mind, there are a few questions you should ask yourself when deciding what you want out of a financed TV:
● What will I use my TV for? (E.g., movies, gaming, streaming, linear/live TV)
● What’s my budget?
● What size TV do I have space for?
● How far can I comfortably sit from my TV?
● Am I happy with Full HD, or do I want 4K?
● Am I happy with LED, or do I want OLED or QLED?
● Do I want to pay no deposit?
Why you should get a TV on instalment
Financing or sale by instalment is a great way to get expensive technology like a new TV without relying on a credit card or shouldering a hefty lump sum payment.
When you buy a TV on finance through R4K, we supply the TV new from the manufacturer. We’ll get the TV to you, and you’ll only pay a small weekly payment (or fortnightly) until the end of the agreed-upon period. Once the period is over, you can keep the TV.
Buy | Buy on credit | Buy On Instalment |
Expensive lump sum, often prohibitive | Upfront payment is made with borrowed money | No upfront payment |
Delivery charged by retailer | Delivery charged by retailer | Delivery and set-up not paid upfront |
No ongoing costs | Monthly minimum payments | Small weekly payments |
No credit checks | Credit checks for finance | Compassionate credit check – we consider all applicants fairly |
Cheaper long-term | Interest rates and missed payment penalties can inflate cost | Interest charges – you pay extra long-term for the convenience |
Manufacturer warranty applies | Manufacturer warranty applies | Manufacturer warranty applies, with claims and replacement assistance |
Why buy on instalment from R4K
R4K is a fully Australian owned and developed home appliance, Technology and furniture finance company that provides customers with a way to get what you want now, and pay it off over-time in low weekly instalments. There are no deposit, flexible terms and hassle free application. We’re committed to making the process of getting brand new products as easy, simple and friendly as possible.
We provide a new TV that meets your needs, and deliver it to you under an instalment agreement, often referred to as sale by instalment. Select a new TV from our online catalogue, Apply online in under a minute, and we will get in touch to develop an instalment plan that meets your needs and budget.
R4K will work with you to assist in getting the products you need, even if you’re a recipient. You will own your new TV at the end of the instalment agreement.
If you’re ready to get a TV at low weekly cost (or fortnightly), and no upfront fees, call us now on 1300 1300 77 or apply online today.