I’m an owner of a television, and recently I was having issues figuring out what resolution my TV was. After spending hours researching, I finally found the answer and now I’m here to share my findings with you. In this blog post, I’m going to be talking about how to know television resolution specifications. We’ll discuss the different types of resolutions available, the pros and cons of each, and some tips and tricks for figuring out your own TV resolution. Hopefully, this post will help you too if you’re ever confused or frustrated with your TV’s resolution.
You can find information about a TV’s resolution on the original box, as well as the user manual that comes with it. Other possible sources to look into are the TV’s settings menu and the manufacturer’s website.
| Method | Description | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examine the Original Box | The resolution is often displayed on the TV box | Quick and easy | Requires access to the original box |
| TV Settings Menu | Look for Output Settings, Picture Mode, or Display Options in the TV settings menu | Convenient, directly on the TV | Menu navigation might differ per model |
| Check the User Manual | Find the resolution in the specifications section of the user manual | Detailed information | Requires access to the user manual |
| Look up the TV Model Online | Search the TV model online to find the resolution on the manufacturer’s website or other sources | Accessible through the internet | Requires the TV model information |
| Test With a Gaming Console | Use a PS5 or Xbox Series X to determine the TV’s maximum resolution through the console’s settings | Accurate | Requires a gaming console |
Table of Contents
Deciphering the Resolution Terminology
So, you might know that a screen’s resolution refers to the number of pixels it contains. The higher this number is, the clearer and sharper the images that the screen can produce.
Before we dive into the ways you can find out the resolution of your TV, we first need a quick overview of what the terms that you’ll come across actually mean.
The most common TV resolutions available on the market are:
- 480p
- 720p
- 1080p
- 4K
You might also see 480p labeled as Standard Definition or SD.
On the other hand, any TV that supports a resolution of 720p or higher is considered a High Definition or HD one.
There are subtle differences between the classifications of these resolutions, though. For instance, 1080p is referred to as Full HD, while 4K resolution is known as Ultra HD.
How to Determine Your TV’s Resolution
Now that you know what the different labels mean, we can dive into the different ways to identify a TV screen’s resolution.
- Examine the Original Box
The first way to find out the resolution of your TV is by checking the box it came in.
Resolution is one of the most important selling points considered by people when choosing a TV to buy. That’s why this piece of information is bound to be provided by the manufacturer on the box, especially with higher resolutions.
After all, 4K TVs are getting more popular by the day, accounting for over half of all TV sales in 2019. So, you’re likely to find this resolution conspicuously displayed on the box.
- Head to Your TV’s Settings Menu
You can also determine your TV’s resolution by looking in its settings menu.
Just turn on your TV and press the Menu button on your remote. You may also find it labeled as the Settings button.
In the menu that shows up, look for the Output Settings section. The name of this section can vary from one TV to another. So, you might want to look for Picture Mode or Display Options, too.
From there, you’ll find the resolution that your screen is currently on. Some TVs may also give you the option to change the screen’s resolution to a lower setting.
- Check the User Manual
Another place where you can find information on your TV’s resolution is the accompanying user manual.
You’re likely to find this information in the specifications section of the manual. You may also find detailed instructions on changing your TV’s resolution.
- Look up the TV Model Online
You can also find out the resolution of your TV screen by doing a quick online search, but you’ll need to know your TV’s exact model.
You can find the name or code of your TV’s model on the TV’s box or user manual.
However, if you’ve misplaced both of these things (as we often do), you’re likely to find a tag on the back of your TV with its model written on it.
Once you’ve located the information you need, you can use it to search for your TV’s resolution on Google or the manufacturer’s website.
- Test With a Gaming Console
You can use this method to determine your TV’s maximum resolution if you have a PS5 or Xbox Series X.
Both these gaming consoles support 4K resolutions. The idea here is to see whether your TV will actually allow your console to unleash its full potential.
All you need to do is connect your console to your TV and check the output settings.
If you’re using an Xbox, press the Xbox button on your controller, then Profile and System, Settings, and then TV and Display Options.
You’ll see a drop-down menu with all of the available resolutions. The highest one on the list is your TV’s maximum resolution.
Conclusion
Since the screen resolution is a vital piece of information for people buying TVs, manufacturers typically have that information clearly displayed on the box. Another place you can find your TV’s resolution, as well as all of its other specifications, is the user manual.
Suppose you don’t have access to the box or manual for any reason. In that case, you can find information on your TV’s specifications on the manufacturer’s website (using the model on the back) or through the settings menu.
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