Buying a TV has gotten surprisingly complicated. OLED vs QLED, 4K vs 8K, 55" vs 65" vs 75" — it's hard to know where to start. This guide cuts through the marketing jargon and helps you pick the right TV for your living room, bedroom, or home cinema.
Step 1: Choose the Right Screen Size
The most important decision. Too small and you're squinting from the couch. Too big and it dominates the room. The right size depends on how far you sit from the screen.
The general guide for 4K resolution TVs:
- Sitting 1.5–2m away: 50–55" is ideal
- Sitting 2–2.5m away: 55–65" is ideal
- Sitting 2.5–3.5m away: 65–75" is ideal
- Sitting 3.5m+ away: 75–85"+ is ideal
Tip: Most Australians buy too small. With 4K resolution, a 65" TV watched from 2.5m away looks sharp and immersive without being overwhelming. If you're between sizes, go larger.
Step 2: Choose a Resolution
Full HD (1080p)
1920 x 1080 pixels. Still looks great on screens up to 50". Below 50", you can't see the difference between 1080p and 4K at normal viewing distances. Worth buying only if budget is tight and you're buying a smaller TV.
4K Ultra HD (2160p)
3840 x 2160 pixels — four times the detail of Full HD. The standard for all TVs 55" and above. All major streaming services (Netflix, Disney+, YouTube) offer 4K content. This is what you should buy.
8K
7680 x 4320 pixels. Almost no 8K content exists yet, and the picture improvement over 4K is invisible at normal viewing distances. Not worth the significant price premium right now.
Step 3: Panel Technology – LED, QLED, or OLED?
LED (Standard LCD)
The most common and affordable TV technology. Good brightness, excellent reliability. Best suited to bright rooms. Brands: Hisense, TCL, budget Samsung and LG lines. Price range: $400–$1,500.
QLED (Quantum Dot LED)
Samsung's premium LCD technology. More vibrant colours and better brightness than standard LED. Excellent for well-lit rooms. Price range: $1,200–$4,000.
OLED
Each pixel produces its own light and can switch off completely, creating perfect black levels and infinite contrast. The best picture quality available. LG OLED is the benchmark. Ideal for home cinema setups in dim/dark rooms. Price range: $1,800–$6,000+.
Our recommendation: For most living rooms, a mid-range 65" or 75" 4K LED or QLED TV at $800–$1,500 will deliver excellent picture quality. OLED is worth the premium if you have a dedicated dark viewing room and care deeply about picture perfection.
Step 4: Smart TV Platform
All modern TVs are "smart" — they connect to the internet and run streaming apps. The main platforms:
- Samsung Tizen — Fast, well-designed, excellent app selection. Available on all Samsung TVs.
- LG webOS — Intuitive, smooth, great remote with magic pointer. Good app selection.
- Google TV / Android TV — Used by Sony, Hisense, TCL. Best Google Assistant integration. Huge app library.
- Roku TV — Simple, fast, great for streaming. Used on some Hisense and TCL models.
All platforms support Netflix, Disney+, Stan, Binge, YouTube, and Prime Video. The differences are mainly in interface speed and smart home integration.
Step 5: Which Brand Should You Buy?
Samsung
The world's largest TV manufacturer. Excellent quality across all price points. QLED range is outstanding. Best-selling brand in Australia. Recommended range: $700+
LG
Makes the best OLED TVs in the world. Mid-range 4K LED and QLED TVs are very competitive. webOS is arguably the best smart TV platform. Recommended range: $700+
Hisense
Outstanding value at the entry and mid-range. Hisense ULED (their quantum dot technology) competes with Samsung QLED at a significantly lower price. Recommended range: $400+
TCL
Strong value proposition, particularly for large screen sizes. TCL's 75"+ TVs are significantly cheaper than equivalent Samsung or LG. Recommended range: $500+
Find Your Next TV at Oceania Appliances
We stock Samsung, LG, TCL, and Hisense TVs from 50" to 85"+ at prices lower than Harvey Norman and JB Hi-Fi. We also offer free delivery anywhere in Sydney.
Need help deciding? Call 0481 243 211 or visit our showroom at 2/14 Centre Place, Wetherill Park — open 7 days, 10am to 8pm.