Whether you’re just dipping a toe into the HDTV pool or you’ve already gone all-in on high-def, buying a new television can be overwhelming. QVC’s TV buying guide will help you figure out which HDTV best fits your home, your family, and your life.

Full HD resolution, also known as 1920x1080 or 1080p, has become the standard for HDTVs over the last few years, but it's not the only TV resolution game in town. Ultra HDTVs with four times the resolution are leading the next generation of television models, while the slightly lower 720p resolution is perfectly appropriate for secondary HDTVs.

But what is resolution, anyway? Simply put, it's the picture quality and level of detail you'll see on the TV screen. The higher the resolution, the more crisp and detailed the image will be. Keep in mind that any choice you make will be better than old-school standard-definition 480p (or, what you'd see on those big, boxy TVs of days past). That said, there are three major resolution formats to choose from.

Ultra HD: The Next Generation

Still fairly new to the market, Ultra HDTVs sport 3840x2160 resolution (colloquially referred to as 4K) and aspect ratios of at least 16:9. Ultra HD is four times as clear as Full HD and, to put it mildly, glorious. But that glory comes with a price: since the technology's so new, 4K TVs will generally be more expensive than 1080p HDTVs. On top of that, there's not a ton of Ultra HD programming available yet, so it could be a while before a 4K television is really used to the fullest.

Still, 4K has its advantages, namely that it presents movie theater-quality resolution right in your own home. Prices on 4K televisions have significantly dropped in the last two years, and buying an Ultra HDTV means it's basically future-proof, so you don't have to worry about your shiny new purchase becoming obsolete within months. And then there's that Ultra HD resolution… have we mentioned how good it looks? Even non-4K content gets a graphical boost with Ultra HD upscaling.

Full HD: Reigning Champ

Ah, good old Full HD. The market has been all but immersed with 1080p TVs over the last decade; you likely already have one in your house. And if you don't, this is a great place to start! With a TV capable of 1920x1080 resolution, you can be sure you'll get the most out of that upgrade. Most TV channels have HD versions available, so unlike 4K, you won't have to wait to really enjoy those crisp, gorgeous visuals. And the 1080p TV experience doesn't stop with live television--you'll also be able to watch your favorite movies or play video games in high definition (see Connectivity for more information).

For HDTVs larger than 32" diagonal, 1080p is the resolution you should be aiming for, especially if it's your family's main unit. You may not think you care about HD, but once you see the difference, you'll never go back to standard def.

720p: Entry-Level HD

While 1280x720 or 1366x768 resolution, also known as 720p, isn't as clear as Ultra or Full HD, it's a good starting point. It's still much better than old-school standard definition, and on smaller displays, you may not even notice the difference. In fact, many last and current-generation video games are displayed in 720p, even on 1080p-capable HDTVs.

If you're looking for the ultimate living room TV, 720p is probably not the way to go—we would recommend at least 1080p for your home's main set. But for secondary sets, a 720p TV is totally acceptable, particularly on displays 32" and smaller—think bedroom, office, and kitchen.

You may have thought your decision was over after considering the resolution and size you're looking for, but wait! There's more! The type of display will help determine how good the picture is—a 1080p picture will look much better on an LED-backlit screen than an older model, for example.

Here are a few things you should know about the main types of displays currently dominating the market. Note that these aren't mutually exclusive; you can have an LED-backlit LCD or OLED curved 4K display, for example.

Show Off Your Curves

Curved Ultra HDTVs are one of the most recent innovations in consumer technology. A curved TV has a slightly rounded look to it, which makes it a stunning centerpiece in any high-tech entertainment center. Aside from being aesthetically pleasing, the curved displays offer wider viewing angles, theoretically delivering gorgeous 4K resolution from anywhere in the room. On top of higher picture quality, curved TVs can cut down on ambient lighting reflections, creating a starker contrast between blacks and whites, as well as more vibrant colors.

As you've probably determined, curved televisions are top-of-the-line and would be wasted anywhere besides your home's main entertainment center. If you're looking for the newest, prettiest, most theater-like HDTV you can find, a curved Ultra HDTV is the one for you.

Once a premier feature, LED backlighting has become the standard for most LCD HDTVs—but it's not as simple as it sounds. No, there are different kinds of LED HDTVs, and not all are created equal!

First, there's OLED backlighting, which you'll find on many Ultra HDTVs and other high-end models. The organic light-emitting diode technology allows each pixel to light itself up independently of others. Why does this matter? Because this allows OLED televisions to consume less energy while being lighter and thinner than other models. And hardware aesthetics are not the only reason to go OLED: you'll also get improved picture quality with this model.

Most LCD displays will either be direct-lit or edge-lit. Direct-LED backlit HDTVs use a full array of lights across the back panel of the television, but use fewer LEDs further away from the screen, making it a slightly thicker but more cost-efficient model. Edge-lit HDTVs, as you may have guessed, provide backlighting from the edges of the display, allowing for thinner models. However, because the light isn't distributed evenly, this could cause some issues in image quality. Does that mean it's a bad choice? Absolutely not! Regardless of type, if it's your first time getting an LED-backlit LCD television, you'll be impressed at the picture quality. Again, it comes down to priorities: would you rather have an ultra-thin display or one that's a little thicker but has more even backlighting?

It's important to note that some backlit models are simply referred to as LED HDTVs; know that this refers to LED-backlit LCDs, and the phrases are sometimes used interchangeably by television manufacturers.

LCD vs. Plasma: HDTV Showdown

LCD (liquid-crystal display) HDTVs make up most of the market, but there's still a place for plasma in homes and hearts. You may have heard horror stories about early plasma TVs, but issues like burn-in are generally a thing of the past. Plasma televisions are capable of deeper blacks for a superior contrast ratio and have wider viewing angles than standard LCD televisions, so they do have their advantages.

If you're looking for a future-proof HDTV, you're better off going with an OLED or LED-backlit LCD television, whether that means an Ultra HD curved display or just a really good-sized 1080p screen. If you're more concerned about your budget than the future of TV technology, a Full HD plasma display might just suit your needs.

Gone are the days when you could only enjoy three-dimensional visuals in a movie theater. If you're a movie buff looking for a truly cinematic experience in your living room, consider HDTV models with 3D capabilities. These fall into two categories:

• Active 3D: Active 3D uses battery-operated glasses that rapidly shutter open and closed, which allows each eye to get 1080p resolution. While Active 3D undoubtedly delivers a great picture, the glasses do block some light, which might make movies look dimmer.

• Passive 3D: This technology uses polarized 3D glasses, which are the kind you'll generally find in movie theaters. Passive 3D uses a special filter that shows the odd lines on the left eye and even lines on the right eye (don't worry, it doesn't look as weird as it sounds). The downside of Passive 3D is the resolution isn't as good as Active 3D, but on the upside, the glasses usually aren't as pricey.

As you've probably surmised, 3D HDTVs require 3D glasses in order for you to actually enjoy those theater-like visuals. Most 3D TVs include a couple of sets, but if you want more than two to four people watching movies at once, it's on you to shell out for more. Additionally, you can't just watch any old thing in 3D; you'll need to purchase 3D versions of Blu-rays or look for 3D-capable video games and consoles, for example.

That said, if it fits your budget, modern 3D television models are incredibly impressive. Spending more money in the short-term might keep your family glued to the couch for movie nights, so it could be worth it in the long run! And if you really want a home theater experience from your entertainment center, 3D is a must.

If you've been eyeing the HDTV market looking for your new set, you've probably noticed the rise of Smart HDTVs. But what is a Smart TV? Essentially, Smart televisions utilize an Internet connection (via Wi-Fi or ethernet) to provide access to a variety of entertainment features that wouldn't be possible otherwise.

When you hear "Internet TV" you probably think of Web browsing and social media, and these are definitely things you can do on a Smart TV! Why do you need the Internet on your TV, you ask? Why get up and use a computer when you can browse right from the couch? Plus, YouTube videos and other visual media are sure to look way better on a big high-def screen than a tiny monitor or smartphone.

But that's just the tip of the iceberg. Most Smart HDTVs have manufacturer-specific features that offer lots of on-demand entertainment; for instance, Samsung Smart TVs have a Smart Hub that displays apps, games, VOD, and other options. On top of that, you can download apps to a Smart HDTV just like you can a smartphone or tablet. Streaming Netflix or Hulu Plus on a big screen instead of a small one? Game-changer. Blasting Pandora through your surround sound system instead of a tinny computer speaker? That's one way to get the party started.

You might be wondering how to connect a TV to the Internet; thankfully, that's easy to do even if you're not completely tech savvy. Simply use your existing Wi-Fi network or, where applicable, connect the HDTV to your router with an ethernet cable. Voila! You've connected the Internet to the TV and you're ready to rock. And since the standard TV remote isn't exactly ideal for typing in search terms and website URLs, some Smart HDTVs come with an enhanced remote or allow you to use an iOS or Android phone as a remote control.

Just a few years ago, Wi-Fi TVs were higher-end models that required a separate adapter, but now not only is the Internet completely integrated, Smart HDTVs are quickly becoming the standard. If you spend a lot of time streaming media or posting to social networks—or you just don't want to hear the refrain of "there's nothing on TV" ever again—these babies are a smart choice.