Want a clearer, more detailed picture? Backlight dimming will get you there. It dims or completely turns the lights behind the screen at specific times. That means you can see extra details in the dark and ups the contrast for a more vivid picture.

There are a few different types of backlight dimming though. So let’s run through them:

Full-array local dimming

Full array’s the best type of local dimming for LED TVs. And what is local dimming?

Behind a full array screen there are hundreds of tiny lamps. When the TV shows something dark, only the lights behind the dark part of the image dim. That makes the detail shine in contrast to black images. The end result? You get a super clear picture.

Backlit local dimming

Here the TV also has hundreds of lamps, but they dim all together when something dark shows on screen. You still get good contrast, but less compared to full array.

Edge-lit local dimming

With these TVs the lamps are only at the edges of the screen. They dim or light-up when images becomes dark or clear in the same way. But the lamps have to shine extra bright to illuminate the centre of the screen, which can cause distortion.

But there is a plus. Edge-lit local dimming keeps TVs very slim, because they don’t need all those lamps behind the screen.

Don’t have a Smart TV? There’s another way to get all those extra streaming or catch-up services.

A set-top box is an extra bit of kit that you can hook up to your TV. Many will let you record live TV, so that you can watch it later. And, if it can plug in to the internet or connect to WiFi, you can also use it like a Smart TV.

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There are a whole load of streaming and catch-up services you can use on your TV. Like…

• RTE Player

• YouTube

• Netflix

• Amazon Prime

• Disney+

• NowTV

• AppleTV

• And loads more!

Check what’s available

When you’re picking out your TV, make sure you look at the smart features available.

Most will give you catch-up TV but check out the specific apps too- especially if you already have a streaming subscription. Some manufacturers have grant access to services that other don’t- one TV might offer NowTV and another not, for example.

Chat to a colleague in-store or check out the product specs on our website to find out more.

Make sure your internet’s up to snuff

Buffering screens, stopping and starting in the middle of the drama – nobody has time for that. Make sure your internet can handle streaming content at its best.

Have a chat to a tech expert in-store to check whether you’ve got the right internet connection.

A Smart TV connects to the internet using either your home WiFi or Ethernet. Similar to your smartphone, it has an on-board smart platform with a homepage that’s usually customisable. This gives you access to a range of apps, such as catch-up, on-demand, social media, and gaming apps.

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Some will also work with voice control. With an assistant like Alexa, Siri or Google Assistant, you can search for and play content with a basic command. No more trawling through different apps to find what you want to watch!

Most voice control TVs work with a special remote. You press down the button, speak your command into it and voila! You can change the channel, the settings and pump up the volume.

If you want to link your smart home up to your TV that’s possible too.

Want to get a true surround sound experience? Home cinema systems is a seriously supped up version of a soundbar. They usually involve an amplifier and multiple speakers.

How many speakers do I need?

To give you that immersive quality, most will be 5.1 surround sound. That’s five speakers (two behind you, one to the left of the TV, one to the right, and one just underneath it) and one sub-woofer.

You can get smaller set-ups though – like a 2.1 which will have two speakers and one subwoofer.

What’s right for you will depend on how much space you have. If your living room is smaller, you probably won’t need so many speakers. That’s because the sound will fill the room easily anyway! And of course, it’s less clutter.

How do I connect it?

The simple answer? With cables. But not all of us want tripping hazards hanging around the living room.

If that’s the case, you might want to go for a wireless set-up. These connect to your TV using either Bluetooth and WiFi. Neat, tidy and out of the way!

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If you’re really looking for impressive sound, a soundbar or soundstage is what you need. These accessories will make sure you get that cinema experience at home. Deep bass, clear treble, room-filling sound- this is how you get it.

Soundbar

A soundbar is a long, bar-like speaker that sits beneath your TV. Some will need to be hooked up to the TV’s subwoofer, but others are wireless. A wireless version is great since it cuts down on trailing cables for a tidier look.

These will deliver high quality audio, usually much better than what a TV could give on its own.

All in one

This is a brilliant option for anyone who’s a bit short on space. They’re way more compact, since the subwoofer and speakers are all wrapped up in one elegant package. What do these systems do?

Soundstage

This is a flat speaker. Small and compact, it fits easily underneath a TV without disrupting your space. It’s so discrete you’ll barely notice it’s there! And you still get the same great sound as a soundbar.

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Think about whether to get a TV with enhanced sound or whether to invest in a sound system. All TVs have their own built-in speakers, but you might want something with a bit more oomph.

As TVs have got slimmer, there’s less space for front-facing speakers. So if you have a super thin TV, there might be a drop in audio quality. But there are a few ways TV manufacturers can get around this.

Acoustic tuning

A TV with acoustic tuning will give you the best sound no matter where you’re sitting or how you’ve arranged your living room. How does it do it? It actually recognises where you’re watching from- optimising the sound!

Clear voice

Fuzzy dialogue? No thanks. Clear voice tech will make sure you can still pick up what people are saying onscreen, even at low volume. No subtitles needed!

Object tracking sound

These built-in speakers sync up with where the sound is coming from onscreen. That’s right- dynamic sound that moves with the action. You get a three-dimensional experience, making your movies even more lifelike.

Adaptive sound

This one does what it says on the tin: adapting to both your environment (i.e. the room you’re watching it in) and the content itself to give you a great audio experience.

Acoustic surface audio

With this one, the sound actually comes from the screen itself. That’s why it’s also known as “sound from screen” technology. The acoustics come directly from where the action is!

Dolby Atmos is the same sound tech that’s used in cinemas. So you know it delivers!

With Dolby Atmos, the sound envelopes you. Hear the cheering of a crowd all around you, the snap of a twig behind you- whatever scene your TV is showing, it’ll feel like you’re there.

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Before you buy a TV or any audio accessories, it’s always worth a check that they’ll be compatible with anything you already have or are planning on buying.

Head in-store to speak to a colleague about it. Or check out the product specs on currys.ie

You’ve got the TV, so why not upgrade you console? We’ve got a whole load of different gaming options, like PlayStations, Xboxes and Nintendo Switches.

And with the PS5 and Xbox Series X promising an even better experience for gamers, it’ll help if you have a TV that can make the most of them!

With a higher resolution TV, playtime’s never looked better. So get the right kit for your Ultra HD, 4K or 2K TV.

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Want the best results from your new TV? Then you need the right accessories! Cables are the link between you a whole load of content, whether that’s your console, streaming device, soundbar or laptop.

We’ve got plenty of AV (Audio Visual) cables that can hook you up- no matter what you’re using your TV for.

Invisible cables

Trailing cables on show? No thanks. An invisible cable will solve the problem. It’s a hard-to-see cable that runs down the wall and along the skirting board without drawing attention. That way you don’t need to drill holes in the wall to hide the cable!

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Aerials

An aerial is what will connect you to broadcast television- like RTE.

There are more options for aerials than ever before. A rooftop aerial is still the best for reception, but you can now also get an indoor aerial if you don’t fancy a trip to the roof.

When you’re picking out an aerial, make sure you find out the distance between your home and the nearest transmitter. And have a look at the direction of the transmitter too. It’ll be a big help when finding the best one for you!

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There are lots of options for getting your TV up and ready to go. The two main ways to mount your TV are with wall brackets or with a TV stand. Let’s take a look at them both.

Wall brackets

Perfect for anyone who wants a clutter-free entertainment space, wall brackets secure your TV to the wall. Since your TV’s up off the wall, it gives you more floor space to play with. And there are a few different types:

Fixed: these keep your TV in one place, with no movement.

Tilting: you can tilt these brackets up and down. Brilliant if you want to adjust for glare at different times of day.

Full motion: these give you a whole range of movement. Only want to pull out the TV when the game is on? No problem. You can move the bracket to face any direction as well as tilt it up and down.

Wall brackets

TV stands

If you don’t want you TV fixed to the wall, you can always get yourself a TV stand. We have lots to choose from, whatever the size and weight of your TV.

Plus, TV stands are more adaptable than ever- with some specifically designed to fit into corners and tight spaces. It’s easy to find the right one for your home.

Nervous about how it’ll affect your living room’s look? Don’t be. Some are beautifully designed and double up as storage too. So you can neatly tuck away all your TV accessories like set-top boxes, spare cables and games consoles.

Do make sure you take the size of your soundbar as well as your TV into account though. This’ll stop the bar running over the edges of your stand!

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Shop TV stands

Don’t stress, our experts are on hand to install your TV so you don’t have to. We’ll setup your new TV, connect your equipment, and give you a demo. You’ll find a range of installation options during the checkout, including building your TV stand and connecting a home cinema system or sound bar.

If you’re not ready to upgrade to a Smart TV yet, a streaming device can really help bridge the gap.

Streaming devices will usually come in the form of a dongle or a box. You plug it into your TV and it’ll give you access to a whole load of different streaming services.

Depending on the brand, some will have different ways to pay too. Some you might buy outright and others will ask for a subscription fee.

Some of the most well-known from big tech brands are:

• NowTV Smart Box

• Amazon Fire Stick

• Apple

• Chromecast

• Roku media streamer

Like with Smart TVs, some streaming devices may offer apps and functions that others don’t. So do your research beforehand, either with a colleague instore or online. They’ll help you find exactly the right streaming device to get all the content you just can’t do without.

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Most TVs ordered online are delivered within a week.

Find out more about Delivery

Don’t stress, our experts are on hand to install your TV so you don’t have to. We’ll setup your new TV, connect your equipment, and give you a demo. You’ll find a range of installation options during the checkout, including building your TV stand and connecting a home cinema system or sound bar.

Add Insurance and if your TV stops working, we’ll fix it fast.

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*Excludes accidental and cosmetic damage. T&Cs apply