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Tag: TVs

  • Want to Mount Your TV? You Have More Options Than Ever

    Want to Mount Your TV? You Have More Options Than Ever

    A rash of recent hot deals on HDTVs, even two-for-one TV deals, might have you facing a dilemma that has been with us since the era of flatscreens began: Where are you gonna mount that thing?

    Of course, mounting is not for everyone. All HDTV sets come with a stand or legs to prop up the set on an entertainment cabinet or any other flat surface. If you don’t care to have your set on a wall, in a setup that can be moved around, or in some newer variation on wall mounting, a stand-up approach is perfectly fine.

    But if you really want to get that set off its feet, you might be surprised with some newer options that have emerged since the last time you did this.

    If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more.

    How to Approach Wall Mounting

    The wide world of wall mounts starts with the assumption that your new television conforms to the VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association) guidelines for where threaded holes are on the back of your TV or monitor. Makers of TV mounts account for these measurements when they tell you what size of television they’ll accommodate (say, a mount that works for HDTVs between 37 and 70 inches).

    Photograph: slexp880/Getty Images

    A standard wall mount is a metal bracket that attaches securely to a wall’s studs, paired with hooked rails that are bolted onto the TV itself. Once everything is installed, the TV with the rails attached slides onto the bracket, and you’ve got a mounted TV. Variations of this include brackets that can extend outward, swivel left and right, and tilt up and down, allowing for more viewing angles and flexibility. If you’ve only ever used basic TV mounts, you might be delighted by how useful it is to be able to move your giant TV around to avoid glare during certain times of the day, or to pull it out toward you for a closer view in a large room.

    Some wall mounts can also be adjusted by remote control. Motorized mounts like Vivo’s electric mount can extend your TV outward from the wall with the push of a button. MantelMount’s MM815 can go up and down via remote, offering 26 inches of height adjustment. Bear in mind: These motorized mounts require a power outlet to function.

    If you’re trying to place a TV in a space that’s not a flat surface, there are corner TV mounts available as well. For HDTVs mounted above a fireplace, so-called “pull-down” mounts that can be lowered when the fireplace isn’t in use are another option.

    Omar L. Gallaga

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  • Sony TVs Are Getting Brighter in 2024

    Sony TVs Are Getting Brighter in 2024

    “It’s time to reintroduce HDR,” according to Sony’s chief distinguished engineer, Toshiyuki Ogura, who has been working with and developing HDR (high dynamic range) technology since its inception. Speaking at Sony’s home theater spring showcase in March, Ogura was referring in part to the company’s latest LED TV tech, which Sony hopes will help reshape the future of HDR and bring viewers closer to the intent of creators.

    Through a whirlwind of demos across the sprawling Sony Pictures production lot, the event provided reviewers like me an unprecedented look behind the scenes, and behind the actual screens, of Sony’s new 2024 home theater creations. Highlights included Sony’s blazing new flagship mini LED TV—the Bravia A9—alongside three other new 2024 TVs that represent a subtly different approach over last year’s lineup.

    We also got a peek at other new gear, from Sony’s updated soundbar fleet to its powerful new professional monitor, the HX3110, designed to set the standard for movie and TV mastering for years to come. Here are some first impressions of the latest from Sony Home Theater.

    What’s in a Name?

    Sony told us part of its goal this year was to streamline and simplify its 2024 home theater lineup. As part of that process, Sony’s best OLED and LED TVs will no longer be separated by their A-series and X-series naming conventions respectively. Instead, all of the new TVs—OLED and LED—will have the A-series moniker.

    The new flagship A9 mini LED TV sits at the top of the new lineup, replacing last year’s X95L. Below that is the update of last year’s A80L OLED TV, now called the Bravia A8. Next is the Bravia A7, another new mini LED TV, and finally the cheapest of the new brood, the A3 LED TV. In a surprise move, Sony’s flagship A95L OLED TV (8/10, WIRED Recommends) won’t get an update, but will remain available as an A9 alternative.

    I’m all for simpler names, but I’d argue the new system is actually more confusing for buyers, with no easy way to differentiate between OLED and LED. I even got the A7 mini LED and the A8 OLED TVs confused in one demo, naturally expecting the step-down LED TV to come directly after the A9 in the batting order. The A95L, meanwhile, seems adrift with no numeric connection.

    While I can’t speak to Sony’s intent, the jumbling of the opposing panel technologies comes as the brand seems to be leaning away from its outsourced OLED TV panels and into the brightness wars with its housemade LED and mini LED panels. We’ll have to see how it all plays out—the new mini LED TVs look quite impressive so far—but I expect some head-scratching from shoppers this year.

    The New Hotness

    Sony’s latest mini LED TVs offer multiple improvements over last year, including increased brightness and more dimming zones for better backlight control. But before we saw the end result, Sony gave us a look behind the curtain to show that its new backlights are not only brighter, but also better at understanding content.

    Bravia A9 mini LED TVPhotograph: Ryan Waniata

    Ryan Waniata

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  • TCL’s QM8 Is A Great TV for Bigger Rooms

    TCL’s QM8 Is A Great TV for Bigger Rooms

    Since the beginning of broadcast, TV brands have been battling for technological supremacy. They were all expensive. From initial tube models to plasmas, LED, and now Mini LED and OLED, you used to have to pay an arm and a leg for a large screen that looked good. (Unless you wanted it in a Michael Scott dinner-party size, of course.)

    These days, you really don’t have to pay that much. Enthusiasts can shell out for 8K resolution or OLED displays with perfect black levels at extreme sizes, but most people who are just streaming movies, sports, or video games can get a great viewing experience with a mid-tier option like this TCL QM8. Unless you’re hoarding an epic 4K Blu-ray collection in the basement or hosting a massive server with lossless rips, you probably won’t see much of a difference.

    Folks ask me all the time whether they should buy a projector, and the fact is that TVs like this one now compete on size, but offer a much better picture that’s much easier to set up and use. If you want a big screen experience at home, start here.

    Easy Going

    Getting started with TCL’s flagship model is just as simple as with any more affordable TCL, which is to say it’s dead simple. You unbox the screen (ranging in size from a manageable 65-inch to a gargantuan 98-inch), place it facedown on a table or padded flat surface of capable size, and attach the included pedestal mount. Depending on which size you have, this might take two people or three or four, but it’s really not that hard. If you’re wall mounting, make sure you mount it to a stud, or several. This isn’t a light TV.

    I personally enjoy the fact that the QM8 model isn’t as thin as higher-end TVs from LG, Samsung, and others. It makes it easier to carry and mount without feeling like I’m going to bend it in half, especially at the larger 85-inch size of our review unit.

    Photograph: Parker Hall

    Plugging in the TV and popping a pair of batteries into the lengthy rectangular remote, you’ll find yourself greeted by the Google TV interface, which quickly enables Android users and Google account owners to log in to a smorgasbord of streaming services. If you can’t find it here, it’s probably pretty shady. (You can also cast using the TV’s built-in Google Chromecast and AirPlay functionality.)

    Other devices are extremely easy to setup with the TV too. I plugged in a soundbar, the KEF LS50 Wireless II (8/10, WIRED Recommends); my computer; and a Nintendo Switch (8/10, WIRED Recommends), and all of them performed flawlessly. Especially impressive is the 144-Hz refresh rate at 4K and 1440p resolutions with really low (sub-10-millisecond) input lag for instant onscreen action. It made playing fast-paced games like Assetto Corsa Competizione and F1 2023 particularly gorgeous when sim racing via my PC.

    Parker Hall

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  • How to Pick the Right Roku for Your TV

    How to Pick the Right Roku for Your TV

    Rokus continue to remain our favorite TV streaming devices. They’re super easy to use and offer a wide array of streaming channels. Their displays aren’t fancy, but they offer just what someone needs: quick, direct access to their favorite streaming services. However, figuring out which one to buy is not so easy.

    There are currently five Roku streaming devices available, plus TVs, soundbars, and ones sold exclusively at certain retailers (not to mention older models still floating around places like Amazon). Rokus tend to have similar names and look nearly identical, with small changes happening every year or so, and it can be difficult to suss out the differences. We’re here to help. If you’re like us, you want the best Roku for the least amount of money. We’ve broken down the features on the ones we think you’ll actually want to own, starting with the most basic model.

    Updated March 2024: We’ve updated this guide with the latest Roku models.

    Special offer for Gear readers: Get WIRED for just $5 ($25 off). This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com, full Gear coverage, and subscriber-only newsletters. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.

    Medea Giordano, Jeffrey Van Camp

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  • A First Look at Samsung’s 2024 TV Lineup

    A First Look at Samsung’s 2024 TV Lineup

    I returned the next day and the most blatant issues had abated, but the TV’s lack of contrast and black levels when compared to last year’s excellent QN90C (8/10, WIRED Recommends) made me confident I wasn’t getting the full picture (literally). A few colleagues also said the TV looked great when they viewed it earlier this month. As such, I’m reserving judgment until the full review.

    What I can say is the TV showed the same excellent off-axis viewing that gave its predecessor a leg up over many backlit LED and QLED TVs, and I expect it to once again be a top contender in its class when the final version arrives. Even so, Samsung has its work cut out this year, as competitors are promising big things, including massive upgrades to lower-priced models like Hisense’s U8N and TCL’s QM8 that double their peak brightness (or more) over last year. That should make for an exciting QLED showdown in 2024.

    Sonic Framework

    Samsung’s Frame TVs have always been more about style than performance, though they’ve offered enough 4K brilliance to become a popular mainstay. That’s what makes the new Music Frame speakers such an interesting addition to the party. They’re designed to be both standalone wireless speakers and extensions of Samsung TVs and soundbars over Q-Symphony. The question we’ve had since CES 2024 is, do they sound any good?

    • Back view of black photograph frame with speakers sitting on a small white shelf

    Photograph: Ryan Waniata

    The answer in my brief time with a pair of them is, somewhat surprisingly, yes. The solid bass provided by dual woofers along the back panel lends some body and punch to the sound, while the midrange and treble drivers are suitably clear and engaging, if not pristine. That’s better than you’d expect from picture frames that spill out sound from small creases along their sides.

    The Music Frames can sit on stands or be wall mounted, and we only got to hear them in the former position where their sound was freer to expand in the lower frequencies. Still, I walked away impressed by their clear and accessible sound and I’m looking forward to hearing more.

    Ryan Waniata

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  • Here’s How to Take Advantage of Samsung’s Buy-One, Get-One-Free TV Promotion

    Here’s How to Take Advantage of Samsung’s Buy-One, Get-One-Free TV Promotion

    Earlier this year at CES, Samsung announced its 2024 TV model lineup, which includes screens with Mini LED displays, quantum-dot-enabled OLEDs, and other, more affordable TVs. We like what we’ve seen so far, which makes Samsung’s current TV promotion pretty exciting if a new TV is in your budget for this year.

    If you preorder a select Samsung screen between now and April 11, 2024, you can qualify for a free 65-inch Samsung TU690T Crystal UHD model while supplies last. Full disclosure: We have yet to test any of the upcoming 2024 models, but we have spent years testing Samsung TVs and recommend several in our Best TVs buying guide.

    By no means will the free model be as nice as your preordered screen. The TU690T usually hovers around $500, and it doesn’t have modern features like local dimming, which helps make blacks appear darker and whites look brighter, and improves the contrast of the screen. But a free 65-inch TV can be a fantastic way to upgrade a friend or loved one’s aging TV set, or you can put it in a spare bedroom, work area, garage, or any other space where you might’ve wanted a screen but didn’t want to spend the money for it.

    If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more.

    The Nitty Gritty

    Photograph: Samsung

    How is Samsung able to give away free TV sets as a part of this promotion? We reached out to Samsung for comment but it hasn’t given us an answer yet. But hey, free TV! Here are the 2024 TV models that qualify for the deal:

    Parker Hall

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  • A Roku Terms of Service Update Locks Up Your TV Until You Agree

    A Roku Terms of Service Update Locks Up Your TV Until You Agree

    Roku customers are threatening to stop using, or to even dispose of, their low-priced TVs and streaming gadgets after the company appears to be locking devices for people who don’t conform to the recently updated terms of service.

    This month, users on Roku’s support forums reported suddenly seeing a message when turning on their Roku TV or streaming device reading: “We’ve made an important update: We’ve updated our Dispute Resolution Terms. Select ‘Agree’ to agree to these updated Terms and to continue enjoying our products and services. Press * to view these updated Terms.” A large button reading “Agree” follows. The pop-up doesn’t offer a way to disagree, and users are unable to use their device unless they hit agree.

    Customers have left pages of complaints on Roku’s forum. One user going by “rickstanford” said they were “FURIOUS!!!!” and expressed interest in sending their reported six Roku devices back to the company since “apparently I don’t own them despite spending hundreds of dollars on them.”

    Another user going by Formercustomer, who, I suspect, is aptly named, wrote:

    So, you buy a product, and you use it. And they want to change the terms limiting your rights, and they basically brick the device … if you don’t accept their new terms. … I hope they get their comeuppance here, as this is disgraceful.

    Roku has further aggravated customers who have found that disagreeing to its updated terms is harder than necessary. Roku is willing to accept agreement to its terms with a single button press, but to opt out, users must jump through hoops that include finding that old book of stamps.

    To opt out of Roku’s ToS update, which primarily changes the “Dispute Resolution Terms,” users must send a letter to Roku’s general counsel in California mentioning: “the name of each person opting out and contact information for each such person, the specific product models, software, or services used that are at issue, the email address that you used to set up your Roku account (if you have one), and, if applicable, a copy of your purchase receipt.” Roku required all this to opt out of its terms previously, as well.

    But the new update means that while users read this information and have their letter delivered, they’re unable to use products they already paid for and used, in some cases for years, under different “dispute resolution terms.”

    “I can’t watch my TV because I don’t agree to the Dispute Resolution Terms. Please help,” a user going by Campbell220 wrote on Roku’s support forum.

    Based on the ToS’s wording, users could technically choose to agree to the ToS on their device and then write a letter saying they’d like to opt out. But opting into an agreement only to use a device under terms you don’t agree with is counterintuitive.

    Scharon Harding, Ars Technica

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  • Best Buy – TCL 98″ and Hisense 100″ Google TVs for $2,000 and Free Installation Included

    Best Buy – TCL 98″ and Hisense 100″ Google TVs for $2,000 and Free Installation Included

    Best Buy Sale on Big Screen TVs

    This article contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

    Best Buy is selling the TCL 98″ Class S5 Series LED 4K UHD Smart Google TV and Hisense 100″ Class U76 Series QLED 4K Google TV at a big discount. Each item is priced at $1,999.99. Additionally, you can get free installation (might vary by location), which includes mounting and TV setup. The U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards Card earns 6% at select merchants, including Best Buy.

    • TCL – 98″ Class S5 Series LED 4K UHD Smart Google TV
      • Resolution: 3840×2160
      • Refresh Rate: 120Hz + Motion Rate 480 with MEMC Frame Insertion
      • HDR Ultra: Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10, & HLG
      • Game Accelerator 240 for Up to 240 VRR Gaming
      • Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X
      • Smart TV with Google TV Smart OS
      • Ports:
        • 4x HDMI
        • 1x USB 2.0
        • 1x Ethernet
        • 1x RF Input
        • 1x Digital Audio Out (Optical)
    • Hisense – 100″ Class U76 Series QLED 4K Google TV
      • Resolution: 3840×2160
      • High Dynamic Range (HDR): Dolby Vision/HDR10/HDR10+/HLG
      • Refresh Rate: 144Hz (Motion Rate 480)
      • Panel Type: LED Backlight LCD
      • Full Array Local Dimming
      • Brightness: 800 nits
      • VESA Standard (600×400) M8
      • Ports:
        • 4x HDMI (2 ports up to 4K@144Hz)
        • 1x USB 3.0
        • 1x USB 2.0
        • 1x Composite
        • 1x Digital Optical Audio

    Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you take action (i.e. subscribe, make a purchase) after clicking a link, I may earn some beer 🍺money, which I promise to drink responsibly. When applicable, you should always go through shopping portals to earn cashback. But when that’s not an option, your support for the site is always greatly appreciated. Thank you for reading!

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    DDG

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  • LG OLED C3 4K TVs on Sale at Walmart: 48″ for $899, 55″ for $1099, 77″ for $2049

    LG OLED C3 4K TVs on Sale at Walmart: 48″ for $899, 55″ for $1099, 77″ for $2049

    LG OLED C3 4K TVs on Sale at Walmart

    LG OLED C3 4K TVs on Sale at Walmart

    This article contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

    Beach Camera via Walmart has select LG OLED C3 4K TVs (2023 Model) on sale when you clip the coupon on the product page (just under the Buy Now and Add to Cart buttons). Shipping is also free. 

    Here are the deals available, with prices shown after coupon discount:

    The U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards Card earns 6% at select merchants, including Walmart.

    Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you take action (i.e. subscribe, make a purchase) after clicking a link, I may earn some beer 🍺money, which I promise to drink responsibly. When applicable, you should always go through shopping portals to earn cashback. But when that’s not an option, your support for the site is always greatly appreciated. Thank you for reading!

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    DDG

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  • Hisense 85-Inch Mini-LED ULED 4K UHD Google Smart TV for $1,356 on Amazon

    Hisense 85-Inch Mini-LED ULED 4K UHD Google Smart TV for $1,356 on Amazon

    This article contains Amazon affiliate links.

    Amazon is selling the Hisense 85-Inch Class U7 Series Mini-LED ULED 4K UHD Google Smart TV for $1,356.21. This is the lowest price we have seen for this item, and a pretty good deal for similar sized TVs.

    BUY NOW

    You can save even more by using the right credit card. The best option is the U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards Card which earns 6% cash back. The Amazon Prime Visa card will earn 5% cash back, and the Discover it card will also earn 5% cash back this quarter.

    Features:

    • 4K ULED: Hisense’s proprietary ULED technologies boost color, contrast, brightness, and motion. This suite of patented hardware and software technologies delivers an engaging and completely unique picture that can only be delivered by Hisense
    • MINI-LED & FULL ARRAY LOCAL DIMMING: Mini-LED is the latest breakthrough in backlighting technology. By utilizing LED’s that are significantly smaller than traditional LED’s we are able to use many more LED’s to create a bright image that distributes the light more evenly for a uniform image across the screen
    • QLED QUANTUM DOT WIDE COLOR GAMUT: Quantum Dot QLED produces purer, richer, more brilliant and accurate color than a regular LED TV. Creating over a billion color combinations that bring vibrant images to life in a way non QLED TVs can’t
    • 480 SMOOTH MOTION & 144HZ NATIVE REFRESH RATE: Smooth Motion removes the digital ‘noise’ that can affect moving objects. The TV’s native 144Hz refresh rate is the foundation for its 480 motion rate. These technologies work in concert to make fast-action scenes to ensure moving objects have minimal blurring
    • Dolby Vision IQ & Dolby Atmos: Dolby Vision HDR picture and Dolby Atmos sound are cinema technology for your home. They provide amazing realism you can see and hear in every scene
    • 144HZ GAME MODE PRO: All the most advanced gaming tech, all in this TV. HDMI 2.1 inputs recognize gaming sequences to automatically adjust settings for smooth, uninterrupted play. The automatic low-latency mode (ALLM), 144Hz variable refresh rate (VRR) and FreesSync Premium Pro minimize input lag, screen jitter, and frame tearing
    • HANDS FREE VOICE CONTROL: Put down the remote. Change the channel, find the latest movie, stream your favorite video and more with your voice. The quicker, easier way to find whatever you want to watch.

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. You should always check shopping portals such as Rakuten, TopCashback, RebatesMe and more for possible cashback.

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    DDG

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